Bahrain Targets 5% Increase in Non-Oil Sector

General view of Bahrain World Trade Center in Manama, Bahrain, February 21, 2019. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
General view of Bahrain World Trade Center in Manama, Bahrain, February 21, 2019. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
TT
20

Bahrain Targets 5% Increase in Non-Oil Sector

General view of Bahrain World Trade Center in Manama, Bahrain, February 21, 2019. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
General view of Bahrain World Trade Center in Manama, Bahrain, February 21, 2019. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed

Bahrain targets a 5% increase in the non-oil economic sector in 2022, said a report published by the Bahrain News Agency BNA.

It pointed out that the contributions of non-oil activities to the Kingdom’s GDP increased from 58% in 2002 to 81% in 2020, up $33 billion.

In order to achieve this target, Manama set a plan to implement advanced strategies aimed at developing the tourism sector to attract 14.1 million tourists by 2026, and the logistic services by raising the capacity of Khalifa bin Salman Port to one million containers, air freight to one million metric tons, and adding more than 70 air destinations.

Among its objectives are supporting the transformation of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, such as manufacturing automation and artificial intelligence, developing the financial services sector, with 365 financial and banking institutions, and supporting the digital economy.

This comes in line with ranking the Kingdom first in the Arab region on the ICT Development Index (IDI) by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) report 2021.

The report underlined statistics by the World Bank and Digital 2021: Global Overview Report showing that Bahrain was also ranked first globally in the rate of individuals using the internet, with nearly 100% of the population.

It excels in 5G network coverage and seeks to cover 95% of households with high-speed fiber optic technology by 2023, the report added.

The Kingdom also seeks to raise the number of electronic services provided to the population from 578 to 1,600, develop the oil sector by completing the “Bapco Refinery” expansion projects, activate the LNG import platform, and develop oil and gas resources.

Bahrain has been witnessing positive economic developments in line with its advanced programs and policy to diversify sources of income, encourage investment and innovation, and provide more job opportunities for citizens.

This comes as part of its development vision that relies on transforming challenges into sustainable success opportunities.



Dell Drives Digital Transformation in Saudi Arabia Through 3 Decades of Innovation

Dell logos are seen at its headquarters in Cyberjaya, outside Kuala Lumpur in this September 4, 2013 file photo. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad/Files Purchase Licensing Rights
Dell logos are seen at its headquarters in Cyberjaya, outside Kuala Lumpur in this September 4, 2013 file photo. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad/Files Purchase Licensing Rights
TT
20

Dell Drives Digital Transformation in Saudi Arabia Through 3 Decades of Innovation

Dell logos are seen at its headquarters in Cyberjaya, outside Kuala Lumpur in this September 4, 2013 file photo. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad/Files Purchase Licensing Rights
Dell logos are seen at its headquarters in Cyberjaya, outside Kuala Lumpur in this September 4, 2013 file photo. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad/Files Purchase Licensing Rights

Saudi Arabia is leading the charge in digital transformation, with Dell playing a key role in the Kingdom’s technological growth over the past three decades.

The partnership between Dell and Saudi Arabia dates back to the early 1990s, and in the past 34 years, Dell has become a cornerstone of the kingdom’s digital infrastructure.

Adrian McDonald, President of Dell Technologies for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, reflected on the deepening of this relationship, highlighting Dell’s integration into Saudi society.

The company has been instrumental in supporting local businesses, government projects, and education initiatives, particularly by offering IT training programs in collaboration with leading universities and facilitating exchange programs that bring Saudi youth to the US for advanced training.

Dell aims to localize as many of these tech skills as possible, recognizing the growing demand for technology expertise in the future.

The launch of Saudi Vision 2030 has created a fertile environment for technological innovation.

McDonald revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat that Dell has expanded its operations over the past 18 months, including the establishment of its first integration and logistics center in Dammam, which handles up to 600,000 units annually to meet increasing customer demand.

The Dammam center also houses a secondary manufacturing plant to customize Dell servers to meet specific needs.

The facility prepares servers for deployment, reducing lead times and improving customer satisfaction. Additionally, Dell has moved its flat-panel display center to the Dammam facility, allowing for faster delivery times, which enhances operational efficiency.

This new center is part of Dell’s commitment to strengthening Saudi Arabia’s information and communications technology ecosystem and is the company’s fifth such facility in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region, reinforcing its support for Vision 2030.

As Saudi Arabia positions itself as a leader in artificial intelligence (AI), Dell plays a critical role in this transformation.

McDonald highlighted the rapid changes in the AI sector, emphasizing Saudi Arabia’s goal to become a global leader in AI.

Dell’s investments are not just aimed at supporting local businesses but also at helping position Saudi Arabia as a global center for AI development.

Dell’s AI-powered solutions are transforming various industries, from finance to healthcare, where they are reshaping processes and driving innovation.

Looking forward, McDonald is optimistic about Saudi Arabia’s potential to become a regional and global hub for AI services.

He pointed out that the kingdom has taken a leadership role in building platforms for growth, with the resources and ambition to drive transformative change in the coming years.