1. Market Alert 8/2011
Qatar unveils National ICT Plan 2015
ictQATAR has recently released a five-year ICT plan for Qatar aiming to create a
knowledge-based economy that will drive sustainable development and societal
benefits for all its nationals. ictQATAR is the government body that formulates ICT
policy and regulates the industry in Qatar.
This new plan will build on Qatar’s first ICT masterplan created in 2005 which has
increased investment in the ICT market to US$2.1 billion in 2010, gave Qatar a
mobile penetration rate of 167 per cent, and increased broadband usage from 41
per cent of households in 2008 to 70 per cent in 2010.
ictQATAR has put forward the following goals for Qatar’s ICT sector:
Double the ICT sector’s contribution to the national GDP to US$3 billion
Double the workforce to 40,000
Achieve ubiquitous high-speed broadband access for households and
businesses (95 per cent)
Achieve mass ICT and internet adoption by all segments of society (90 per
cent)
Achieve wide accessibility and effectiveness of all key government services
(160 online services)
The National ICT Plan wants to have Qatar benefiting from ICT solutions in key
aspects of its society and economy by 2015. The country will also be using
communications technology to become further integrated into the global
economy.
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2. To meet all these goals, ictQATAR has developed a comprehensive, strategic
framework organised into five strategic thrusts that are aligned with the
government’s broader national goals as outlined in Qatar’s National Vision 2030
released in 2008.
These five thrusts will include improving connectivity through an advanced,
secure infrastructure, boosting capacity by enhancing digital literary and
developing skills to enable innovation, fostering economic development by
creating an environment for an innovative and vibrant ICT industry, enhancing
public service delivery; and advancing societal benefits by leveraging on ICT.
Each thrust is broken down into specific programmes, giving the National ICT Plan
2015 a total of 11 programmes—ICT infrastructure, modernising the legal and
regulatory framework, cyber safety and security, digital inclusion, ICT human
capital, innovation and entrepreneurship, digital content, second generation i-
government, e-education, e-health and internet & society.
Qatar also recently announced that by 2012, it will invest US$550 million to install
the nationwide high-speed Fibre-To-The-Home (FTTH) broadband network that
will reach at least 95 percent of households and businesses over the next five
years. The tender for the project is expected to come out by end of 2011.
Qatar has already laid a strong foundation for future progress. The country’s
mobile penetration stands at 167%, one of the highest in the world. Globally, the
average is 76%, and among developed countries it is 116%. In 2010, 89% of
households had a computer and 85% of individuals had one. Broadband usage has
jumped from 41% of households in 2008 to 70% in 2010.
Qatar ranks in the top quartile of all countries surveyed in the latest World
Economic Forum’s Networked Readiness Index. The ICT market in Qatar keeps
growing and is projected to expand at a double digit compound annual growth
rate.
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3. In order to build a strong world-class ICT infrastructure, ictQATAR has entered
into a joint venture with Europe-based Eutelsat Communications to build and
operate a high-powered communications satellite set to be launched in 2013.
Malaysian ICT companies are urged to explore Qatar’s booming ICT sector
particularly in providing training services, solutions, e-government, infrastructure
solutions, e-learning, telecom solutions etc where Malaysian companies have
proven capability. Malaysian companies are also capable to provide e contents
and Wi Max facilities to serve certain areas of the town in Qatar.
It is advisable if Malaysian companies could make a presentation on their
capabilities to the authorities in Qatar. As most of the requirement for
government tender requires foreign companies to have a legal representative
through a local agent or locally establish company. It is a necessary for Malaysian
companies to explore on the possibility to set up a branch office or locally
incorporated company for the purpose to expand business in Qatar.
Prepared by:
MATRADE Dubai
14 July 2011
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