The amount spent on information technology in the Middle East and North Africa is set to grow 4.5 per cent annually and reach $171.3 billion this year as businesses increasingly digitise amid the pandemic, said research firm Gartner.
Chief information officers in the region will increase their spending on servers, applications and infrastructure software to support digitalisation efforts and hybrid work models, it added.
The region will see IT spending return to pre-pandemic levels or even surpass it over the next two years.
“IT projects were either put on hold or cancelled because of Covid-19 … as the situation in the region improves and businesses understand the true value of a resilient digital ecosystem, IT spending will return to a pre-pandemic growth rate,” John Lovelock, research vice president at Gartner, said.
An increase in remote work will be one of the main factors driving the growth in IT investment, Gartner said. Companies are set to increase their spending on mobile devices and remote working technologies such as desktop-as-a-service software.
The communications services industry will see the largest IT outlay among five sectors highlighted, totalling $116.8bn, according to the report. The remaining $54.5bn-plus will go towards upgrading data centres, devices, enterprise software and IT services.
The enterprise software will experience the highest annual growth at 14.5 per cent year. Other sectors will register only single-digit growth, ranging between 2.5 per cent and 8.7 per cent.
“In the first quarter of 2021, projects such as ‘remote work visas’, ‘Smart Dubai 2021’ and other economic policy regulations were launched ... these are expected to boost technology investments in the region,” Mr Lovelock said.
“Different economies have reacted differently to the pandemic … while 2020 slowed the growth of IT in the region, the K-shaped recovery has begun faster in this region, compared to Asia and Latin America,” he added.
Last year, IT spending in the region grew 2.7 per cent on an annualised basis. Most of the segments experienced flat growth, except for communications services, which grew 7.2 per cent, said Gartner.
MATCH INFO
FA Cup final
Chelsea 1
Hazard (22' pen)
Manchester United 0
Man of the match: Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
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Essentials
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Delhi from about Dh950 return including taxes.
The hotels
Double rooms at Tijara Fort-Palace cost from 6,670 rupees (Dh377), including breakfast.
Doubles at Fort Bishangarh cost from 29,030 rupees (Dh1,641), including breakfast. Doubles at Narendra Bhawan cost from 15,360 rupees (Dh869). Doubles at Chanoud Garh cost from 19,840 rupees (Dh1,122), full board. Doubles at Fort Begu cost from 10,000 rupees (Dh565), including breakfast.
The tours
Amar Grover travelled with Wild Frontiers. A tailor-made, nine-day itinerary via New Delhi, with one night in Tijara and two nights in each of the remaining properties, including car/driver, costs from £1,445 (Dh6,968) per person.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher: Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
RESULT
Huddersfield Town 1 Manchester City 2
Huddersfield: Otamendi (45' 1 og), van La Parra (red card 90' 6)
Man City: Agüero (47' pen), Sterling (84')
Man of the match: Christopher Schindler (Huddersfield Town)
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
