The latest GCC E-Performance Index 2022 reveals that all countries from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region have performed exceptionally well, displaying significant progress in digital transformation.

As per the GCC E-Performance Index, the UAE achieved tangible growth with an average score of 66.22, followed by Saudi Arabia with an average rating of 59.26 and Qatar with 57.63. Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait scored average ratings of 54.02, 53.43 and 51.36, respectively. The report highlights the increased spending on the latest technological solutions to achieve digitally-inclusive economies.

In terms of ICT spending, by 2024, UAE is estimated to expense US$23 billion, Kuwait will shell out US$10 billion, while Qatar’s spending will be around US$9 billion.

The World Economic Forum highlighted the unique set of characteristics of the GCC countries that presents numerous opportunities for leveraging emerging technological solutions to create opportunities. The introduction of 5G and associated use cases, such as education, health, government and smart cities, can help mitigate some regional and local challenges, including natural resource management and economic diversification, with a view towards sustainable development and inclusive growth.

The GCC region’s ICT development has strengthened the digital economy, enhanced productivity and created efficient means for direct access to government e-services. In fact, governments across the GCC have prioritized digital transformation, keeping it at the core of their economic and social development plans and a key component of their respective Vision 2030 plans.

The GCC E-Performance Index aggregates each country’s performance in the top five global indices: the Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI) 2021 by INSEAD, the Network Readiness Index (NRI) 2021 by Portulans Institute, the Government AI Readiness Index 2021 (GAR) by Oxford Insights, the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2022 by World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the UN E-Government Development Index (EGDI) 2022 by the United Nations.

The GCC region has been renowned as one of the most prominent tech adopters. The region is comprised of the Middle East’s most fruitful economies with unique yet unified visions to better the lives of their residents by developing smarter cities.

Global ICT solutions provider Huawei will conduct a six-country roadshow across the Middle East from April to May 2018. Under the theme 'Leading New ICT, The Road to Digital Transformation', the roadshow puts the spotlight on advanced ICT technologies that are driving digital transformation and helping to achieve the development agendas in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain and Pakistan.

Nama Group has announced the commencement of the live operation of its centrally implemented Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) project designed for high value customers in the electricity sector in Oman.

Dr. Khalfan bin Said Al Shueili, Oman’s Minister of Housing and Urban Planning, has unveiled the blueprint for establishing Oman’s smart cities, incorporating advanced planning, innovative technologies, and sustainability initiatives to transform the country’s urban landscape.

In an exclusive interview with Telecom Review, Dr. Saoud Al Shoaili, director general, policies and governance in the ministry of transport and communication, Oman, talked about the significance and the impact on the country for the being the Arab digital capital for 2022. He also spoke about Oman’s digital transformation journey in its various aspects.

Omantel, the first and leading provider of integrated telecommunications services in the Sultanate, has announced the launch of “Think and Innovate” bus.