Page 48 - SAMENA Trends - February 2022

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REGIONAL NEWS

UAE Leads the Arab World in Digital Transition

More than 300 senior government officials,
Chief Information Officers, IT experts, ICT
companies, public policy-makers and
suppliers have converged in Dubai to
unlock a $3 trillion open-data opportunity.
This happens at a time the UAE is leading
the Arab World in digital transformation,
having ranked first in the Arab world and
8th globally in the United Nations’ Online
Service Index (OSI) 2020, according to the
UN EDGI Report covering 193 countries.
The E-Government Development Index
(EGDI) presents the state of E-Government
Development of the United Nations
Member States. While the country moves
towards a data-driven and paperless
government, the delegates gathered to in 2020. In 2021, Saudi Arabia launched changes the way the government
take stock on the progress made by the E-Government Regulatory Framework and functions. Decisions are backed up by
governments of the Middle East in their the development of the Digital Government the real-time data analytics that help
digital transformation movement at the Authority (DGA). Nabil Aloufi, Vice- assess the situation more appropriately.
2nd Data-Driven Government Conference, Governor of Risks and Business Continuity, Governments can play a key role as data
taking place from February 15 to 16, 2022, Digital Government Authority at Saudi providers — both in the form of raw data
at Movenpick Grand Al Bustan Hotel in Arabia’s Ministry of Communications and official statistics — helping to unlock
Dubai, UAE. “The global market for Big and Information Technology (MCIT), a $3 trillion open-data opportunity for
Data is estimated at $70.5 billion in 2020. said: “Saudi Arabia currently offers 6,000 the private sector and civil society, says
It is projected to exceed $243.4 billion by e-Government services, records 3 billion McKinsey & Company. A latest report by
2027, Abdul Mobeen Khan, Chairman of the transactions per year, and this is increasing. Gartne, says, worldwide public sector
2nd Data-Driven Government Conference We have a proper roadmap for the digital spending on IT and soft infrastructure is
who is also a Strategy Execution, Program government. Saudi Arabia ranked 43 in UN set to increase 6.5% from $523.2 billion
Management, ITSM, Cybersecurity and EDGI Report in 2021. “We aim to improve in 2021 to $557 billion next year, as
Governance Practitioner and Trainer, UAE. our ranking to 38 this year and become governments worldwide are allocating
He said governments should now focus one of the top ten countries in the world massive resources to strengthen data-
on the untapped potential of the data by 2030. Our roadmap includes three key driven government that will help the public
economy. “The opening of the Geographic communication channels – Government sector to ensure smooth service delivery
Information System (GIS), has fueled the to Citizens, Government to Business and and help smart decision making based
growth of the Global Positioning System Government to Government agencies – to on data analytics. Before implementing
(GPS) industry that is now represents a ensure the data-driven government offers Data-Driven Government, worldwide
market worth over $128 billion. We are no the best experiences for all,” Aloufi said. governments need make smart phone
longer working in silos. If we do not use Data-Driven Government makes public accessible to all in order to bring the public
data analytics property, things can fall administration more effective, transparent, services at the fingertips of each citizen.
between the cracks,” he said. “Government strengthens safety and security, saves The number of smartphone users in the
and businesses should ensure strategic public money and weeds out corruption. world today has exceeded 6.37 billion,
alignment based on data. Your strategy It helps governments in undertaking the which translates to 80.69% of the world's
should be agile and flexible based on right decision, based on data analytics. population owning a smartphone. “Data
data.” Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is cruising The two-day conference takes place is the new gold and governance becomes
ahead towards a digital government. when governments of more than 200 better, more transparent and more effective
In 2019, the kingdom launched its ICT countries are shifting their focus on data- with data-driven government. The whole
Sector Strategy 2023 followed by National driven governance which will determine world is currently in various stages of
Cybersecurity Strategy 2020 and National which government excels in leading their digital transformation processes. While
Strategy for Data and Artificial Intelligence country in future. Data-Driven Government some are at the beginning of the process,

48 FEBRUARY 2022