TRENDS poll: Technology most booming GCC sector

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The UAE's Ministry of Community Development showcases its technology at an event in Dubai. (WAM)
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  • While 33 percent were between 30 and 39 years, 14.5 were between 40 and 49 years, and only 13.7 percent were above 50 years old.
  • Developing the region's digital job market has the potential to generate 1.3 million additional digital jobs in the GCC by 2025.

Dubai, UAE — The Gulf Cooperation Council region is well-positioned to capitalize on technological trends ranging from artificial intelligence to the Internet of Things to cloud computing. 

The six GCC countries — Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman — have all made significant investments in various technological sectors to diversify their economies and reduce their reliance on oil.

The region has a young and tech-savvy population, and governments are heavily investing in digital transformation initiatives such as high-speed internet and data centers. This has increased demand for technology products and services and a thriving startup ecosystem.

Furthermore, the region is an open market with few restrictions on foreign investment. This has made it more appealing for foreign technology companies to operate in the region.

TRENDS asked its followers on Twitter, “Which sector is booming the most in the GCC?”

The majority (40 percent) said “Technology”, followed by “Tourism” (33 percent) and (27 percent) voted “Finance”.

Most respondents were men (70.7 percent), while (29.3) percent were women.

On the other hand, 95.6 percent of the poll respondents were from Egypt, 2.1 percent from Kuwait, 0.2 percent from the UAE 1.5 percent from Lebanon, and 0.7 percent from Qatar.

While 38.8 percent of the respondents were in the 20–29 age group, 33 percent were between 30 and 39 years, 14.5 were between 40 and 49 years, and only 13.7 percent were above 50 years old.

Digital sector challenges

Developing the region’s digital job market has the potential to generate 1.3 million additional digital jobs in the GCC by 2025.

Expatriates currently hold the majority of digital jobs in the GCC, according to a joint report by Strategy& and LinkedIn. Nationals prefer more traditional career paths, such as those in business, economics and government.

Furthermore, digital professionals in the GCC lack the advanced technical skills required in the digital age. Their skills are primarily soft and managerial such as project management and team leadership, whereas advanced technical skills are more common in developed countries.

The skills most highly valued by employers – across all industries and job types – are virtually non-existent among GCC digital professionals.

The report also demonstrates that the GCC education system is falling behind the pace of technological change. University courses on digital technology are generic and out of date. Teachers lack the necessary expertise due to low wages and ineffective school management.

At the same time, enrolment in the GCC’s technical and vocational education and training sector (TVET) is low. Its development has not been prioritized, resulting in limited government or private funding. As a result, foreign universities produced 93 percent of GCC digital professionals.

GCC countries must address immediate needs in their digital market ecosystems by increasing digital job supply and demand.

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