IT SPEND TO REACH $40 BILLION IN 2018
Speaking at Microsoft Transform 2018, an event organized last month by Microsoft Saudi Arabia at the Four Seasons Hotel in Riyadh, Samer Abu-Ltaif, president of Microsoft Middle East & Africa, said Saudi Arabia’s IT spend in 2018 will reach $40 billion as the government increases its focus on innovation and cloud technology to drive digital transformation, a key pillar of Saudi Vision 2030. As Saudi Arabia advances towards becoming a technology hub for the region, cloud computing alone could grow by 25 percent by 2022. “As Saudi Arabia works towards the Vision 2030 agenda, there has not been a more exciting time for the kingdom” said Abu-Ltaif. “According to the World Economic Forum, the digital economy will be worth over $100 trillion globally by 2025, and Saudi is already positioned to ensure it benefits from this opportunity. Digital transformation truly is at the heart of Vision 2030.At Microsoft, we believe we can support the kingdom’s vision by focusing on key industries and building bespoke cloud solutions for those businesses.
Microsoft Transform 2018 is a strong platform for us to create conversation on digitalization in Saudi Arabia and highlight technologies and innovations with our partners in the government, banking, retail, manufacturing and oil & gas sectors. A key priority for Microsoft is creating opportunities to support youth enablement, education and to build the skills of the future in the kingdom”
Microsoft has led several initiatives in support of digital transformation in Saudi Arabia including a program aimed at building the necessary skills among young Saudi men and women. The program titled “Saudi Codes” was organized in partnership with the Misk Foundation and the Ministry of Education to encourage Saudi youth to learn the basics of coding through Mine craft. Also speaking at the event was Jamie Wylly, Microsoft’s worldwide director for Defense and Intelligence who highlighted the importance of digital transformation in the current security environment. Wylly showcased Microsoft technologies which manage data in a hybrid cloud environment by scaling to meet mission needs and deploying intelligent edge to manoeuvre forces, while simultaneously upholding security and privacy regulations.
