IT Forum 2011

This year's CITC IT Forum aims to spur discussion on the challenges and opportunities in unlocking the potential of the Kingdom's internet ecosystem. It will provide a platform for policy makers, industry pioneers, technology thought leaders, and content users to discuss the current state of the internet ecosystem in Saudi Arabia, examine the challenges they face, and analyze opportunities for the future.

As the Kingdom’s ICT regulator, CITC is charged not only with driving liberalization of the sector and increasing ICT availability, but with encouraging the development of the entire internet economy. The CITC speaker will introduce the current status of the internet ecosystem in the Kingdom with a special focus on the use of the internet content and ecommerce by Saudi individuals and businesses. In addition, the presentation will provide outlook for the internet ecosystem and guidance to key stakeholders on key opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

The rapid growth in broadband subscriptions in the Kingdom has increased the availability if the internet and the internet ecosystem has become an integral part of Saudi society. The internet increases the information and functionality available to the country’s residents, and enhances the productivity and delivery of services by both government and enterprises. The growing demand and supply of the internet content and the use of ecommerce, however, create numerous challenges that need to be addressed by various public and private stakeholders. The panel, consisting of eminent national and international of though leaders, will discuss strengths and weaknesses of internet ecosystem enablers in the Kingdom including ICT infrastructure, legal framework, payment and distribution systems, IT security, and IT skills.

A well-developed and mature internet economy can provide substantial benefits to the Kingdom in terms of spurring innovation, high-tech investments and creation of IT jobs. These benefits can be delivered through sustainable business models anchored in the Saudi internet economy. The panel, consisting of representatives from different Saudi companies, which introduced and implemented successful internet-based business models, will discuss the key success factors that lead to a sustainable internet-based businesses, from the viewpoint of skills required, potential revenue models, key investments needed and potential partnerships that need to be forged.

For more information about the forum please visit web site: itforum.sa​