Time to focus on social policies

BEIRUT: The region’s Information and Communication Technolgy leaders voiced optimism Thursday about the future of the sector nevertheless noted that gains from foreign direct investment in the industry have failed to translate into sound social policies.

The first session of the conference

But panelists speaking at the first session of the conference, titled "Arab Telecom and Internet Forum," noted that the huge investment in the ICT sector in the region did not reflect more economic development.

He added that introducing new technologies just as Web 2.00 and cloud computing would increase efficiency, lower production costs and contribute to creating highly paid job opportunities.

On one occasion panelists argued that there is a direct correlation between the Global Competitiveness Index and the Network Readiness Index. That is, they contended countries that show little interest in endorsing new ICT developments will fall behind in terms of economic competitiveness.

Khalid Balkheyour, head of Arabsat, said the company had been engaged in huge investments over the past five years, putting the total investments at $1.6 billion. Balkheyour said advancements in the Internet had actually raised satellite usage instead of lowering it, as before feared by experts.

"The at once steps will be to expand the fiber-optic network to cover the whole country and start linking the network directly to households," he said.