ITU Arab Regional Development Forum Mr Shabkhez Mahmood

ITU Arab Regional Development Forum Mr Shabkhez Mahmood, Senior Director, EY Bahrain 28 October 2013

Doing business in a rapidly changing world • Growing middle-class: Over the next two decades, it is estimated that the middle class will expand by another three billion people, coming almost exclusively from the emerging world. • Urbanization: Today, 50% of the world’s population lives in cities, and it is anticipated that 70% will by 2050. While urbanization is occurring worldwide, the trend is most significant in places that are the least equipped to cope. • Building smart, interconnected world: Consumers require more innovative products, while businesses seek more cost-effective technology to cope with increasingly complex challenges. The ICT sector has a crucial role to play in this challenging operational environment.

Shocking ‘little’ fact… Of the world’s seven billion people, six billion have mobile phones. However, only 4. 5 billion have access to toilets, according to the UN.

The digital universe is expected to double every two years Facebook boasts more than 1. 15 billion active users in 2013, while Google Plus surpassed 100 million users in less than a year.

And not only people become more connected, but 'things' will too; there could be 50 billion machineto-machine connections in 2020.

Social media and political change in the Middle East The Arab Spring’s cascading effects Twitter and Facebook seen as catalysts of change allowing not only to speed up information exchange but also to provide unprecedented waves of spread Arab publics share views about politics, community and religion online: • In Egypt and Tunisia, more than six-in-ten social networkers share their views about politics online. • In Egypt, Tunisia, Lebanon and Jordan, more than seven-in-ten share views on community issues. 2012, Pew Research Center, Global Attitudes Project, “Social Networking Popular Across Globe”

Tackling the issue of e-waste in the Middle East Recycling mobile phones in the Middle East is still in its infancy and the overall percentage of phones recycled remains quite low. What is the role of the ICT sector in further promoting knowledge among consumers about recycling activities?

ICT-enabled solutions offer the potential to reduce GHG emissions by 16. 5%, create 29. 5 million jobs and yield USD 1. 9 trillion in savings.

ICT’s largest climate change influence will be by enabling energy efficiencies in other sectors, an opportunity that could deliver carbon savings five times larger than the total emissions from the entire ICT sector in 2020.

But what about other impacts? • Forty-four million healthrelated smartphone apps were downloaded worldwide in 2011. • Within one year of the i. Pad’s launch, 27% of physicians surveyed owned tablet computers. • Smart mobility, social networking, cloud computing, and big data analytics – transformative technologies allowing patients to gain more control over their health. “We’ve found that certain search terms are good indicators of flu activity. By counting how often we see these search queries, we can estimate how much flu is circulating in different countries and regions around the world. ”, Google “. . . our vision [is for] enabling secure, real-time access to deidentified patient data across the health care and life sciences ecosystem. ” David A. Krusch, M. D, Chief Medical Information Officer, University of Rochester Medical Center, and Chairman of PACe. R’s Project Leadership Committee

Being strategic about sustainability

ICT business risks - EY Risk Universe™ model • Disengagement from the changing customer mindset – understanding the needs of the new digital consumer will underpin future success • Lack of organizational flexibility - companies now need to align their business units to maximize the economies of scale • Failure to capitalize on new types of connectivity – defining the concept of global connectivity beyond human terms is crucial • A more pressing green agenda – utilizing existing technologies to enable greater efficiencies across industry will lead to competitive advantage

The nature of corporate risk is changing: business metrics now include sustainability related risks.

Today, corporations’ success is heavily driven not only by business performance, but by public trust as well. Commitment to sustainability is a significant driver of reputation and public confidence.

What does a strategic approach to sustainability look like?

Leveraging strategic sustainability for competitive advantage • • Strengthening the licence to operate Increasing & protecting revenues Optimizing & protecting assets Complying with regulation Enhancing reputation Enhancing governance Aligning with national agendas and strategies • Developing new business opportunities • Supporting low carbon economy • Developing infrastructure • Developing inclusive access to all services • Developing fair marketing practices • Assessing and mitigating environmental and social risks • Rolling out Socially Responsible criteria in asset management • Code of conduct • Supply chain optimisation Addressing social issues and environmental footprint • Driving environmental efficiency • Streamlining operations • Reducing environmental footprint • Improving HR policy • Training • Attracting and retaining talent

Fostering ICT innovation through sustainability • Transportation: Increased efficiency through improved logistics networks and fleet management • Healthcare: Personalised, affordable, and transparent medicine tailored to individual needs • Buildings: Smart design can reduce lighting and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning needs • Education: Empowering students and teachers to reinvent and redefine the educational institution • Financial inclusion: Mobile banking allows for increased access to financial products and services • Consumer and service: Enabling consumers to make smart purchasing decisions

What will your company be known for? How can you enable positive change through your sustainability strategy?

Thank You ► Shabkhez Mahmood | Senior Director | Advisory Services ► ► Ernst & Young, Middle East & North Africa Bahrain Commercial Complex, 15 th Floor, P O Box 140, Manama, Bahrain Direct: +973 1751 4948 | Mobile: +973 3410 0057 | shabkhez. mahmood@bh. ey. com