The Role of Technology in GCC Integration 9302020

The Role of Technology in GCC Integration 9/30/2020 The Role of Technology in GCC Integration 1

GCC Countries and Location n Gulf Cooperative Council n Members n n n Bahrain Kuwait Oman Qatar Saudi Arabia UAE 9/30/2020 The Role of Technology in GCC Integration 2

GCC Objectives n n n n Implementing a free trade area with no barriers on regional products and common tariffs on foreign imports. Consolidating bargaining power in negotiations with external trading partners. Establishing a common market that grants citizens the right to travel, work, own, and inherit in all member states. Harmonizing development plans to promote integration. Promoting joint projects to coordinate chains of production. Adopting a common legal framework for regional trade and investment. Linking transportation networks. 9/30/2020 The Role of Technology in GCC Integration 3

Trade Trends (1993 -2001) n n n Bahrain experienced a negative growth in both imports from and exports to the GCC countries (from 52. 74 in the pre-Union period to 37. 47. Oman has had a considerable expansion in its trade with the GCC increasing from 20. 82 pre-Union to 31. 25 percent. Kuwait's total imports increased from a negligible 0. 66 percent pre. Union to 10. 18 percent. Qatar's imports increased 6. 22 percent post-Union to 13. 90 percent while exports remained steady (5. 26 percent 1982 -1992, and 5. 34 percent. The UAE’s imports and exports with the GCC countries increased on the average at an annual rate of growth of 10. 14 and 10. 63 percent respectively. Saudi Arabian trade with the GCC declined, with exports declining to 5. 92 percent annual average growth from 9. 05 percent and imports averaging 5. 65 average annual growth in the post-Union period as opposed to 10. 5 percent annual growth in the pre-Union years. 9/30/2020 The Role of Technology in GCC Integration 4

GCC Economy and Trade Intra-regional trade in the GCC has only increased from about five percent in 1982 to a little over seven percent 20 years. n "We are not ashamed to say that we have not been able to achieve the objectives we sought when we set up the GCC 20 years ago, ” 2001, HRH Price The Role of Technology in GCC Abdullah Ben Abdul Aziz 9/30/2020 Integration 5 n

Integration the Key to Progress n To integrate progress is desired in: n n Social Economic Environmental Services 9/30/2020 The Role of Technology in GCC Integration 6

Social Progress n Social Welfare n n Education n n Social Security Pension and Old Age Support Other Government Services Primary and secondary education Manpower training Higher Education Healthcare n n Hospital Community Clinics 9/30/2020 The Role of Technology in GCC Integration 7

Economic Progress n Standard of Living n Increase in per capita income n n n Job training Investment Job Creation n n Industrialization and Manufacturing Research & Development 9/30/2020 The Role of Technology in GCC Integration 8

Environmental Progress n n Pollution Control and Clean air Planning Permissions n n Environmental assessments Protection of Historical Sites 9/30/2020 The Role of Technology in GCC Integration 9

Legal and Government Services n e-Government n n n e-Banking n n Citizenship (ID) and passport (e-passport) Immigration control (e-visa) Social Department Revenue collection Paperless transactions Utility bills payment Investments e-Business n n Business transactions Internet marketing 9/30/2020 The Role of Technology in GCC Integration 10

IT the Great Integrator Legal and Government Services Information Technology Social Services Economic 9/30/2020 The Role of Technology in GCC Integration 11

Ingredients of IT n Information, telecommunications, and computers form the backbone of IT. n n n Information is a collection of data that conveys the status of a system or a command to take certain action. Telecommunication is a conduit for information flow. Computers are machines to process information. 9/30/2020 The Role of Technology in GCC Integration 12

Computer, Networks and Society n e-Systems n n n Education n e-government e-commerce In class use of IT Distance learning Research n Virtual Networks of Excellence 9/30/2020 The Role of Technology in GCC Integration 13

Benefits of Technology n n n Rapid Flow of Information e-Commerce is for today and the future Region-wide electronic trading system Transparency is an important issue and it is driven by technology. n e-commerce will radically alter the structure of trade. n Integration of trade will benefit the consumers with prices The Role lower of Technology in GCC due to bulk 9/30/2020 Integration 14 buying. n

Limitations n n n Limitations are created by policy inadequacy – both economic, social, and Legal. We need reforms in Banking, in investment laws, property rights We need to stabilize, diversify, privatize, develop capital markets, and human resources. 9/30/2020 The Role of Technology in GCC Integration 15

Challenges Lack of legal framework for new economy and market size limitations. n How to increase the access to technology, which is currently limited? n Introduction and increasing low adoption of more technology in education. n Limited job opportunities for IT The Role of Technology in GCC 9/30/2020 Integration specialists n 16

Legal Framework in ICT 9/30/2020 The Role of Technology in GCC Integration 17

Education and Human Resource Development n n n School dropout rates is climbing and are currently highest in the history. Creation of Knowledge Economy and use of technology in all aspects of society. Challenges in human development needs creative solutions. 9/30/2020 The Role of Technology in GCC Integration 18

The Knowledge Cycle Contributors In-house & external Academics Community All those seeking Knowledge in the Gulf Region Commercial Subscription Consultancy Advertising Sales Contributions 9/30/2020 Contents Research Networking Analysis And Data Collection Channels Publications Web-based Material Multimedia events The Role of Technology in GCC Integration 19

Human Resource Development Educational Institutions 9/30/2020 The Role of Technology in GCC Integration 20

KFUPM and Human Resource Development n KFUPM Mission Statement 9/30/2020 The Role of Technology in GCC Integration 21