Total investment in the communication sector hit SR180 billion and spending reached SR130 billion during 2016, with the sector’s contribution to the GDP at 6 percent.
Abdul Aziz Al-Ruwai, Governor of Communication and Information Technology Commission, anticipated that spending in the sector may reach SR138 billion by the end of 2017 due to private and public investments.
He said the National Transformational Program 2020 and the Saudi Vision 2030 highlight the role that the communication industry should play to develop the communication and information infrastructure, enhance innovation and increase investment in the digital sector.
In this context, he noted that they have developed an ambitious strategic plan to organize the sector and increase the presence of small and medium businesses, increase network safety and unify licenses.
He added that the communication and information sector will contribute to the development of the services provided in different sectors such as banking, e-learning, e-governance and health services. Therefore they will seek to localize the sector and encourage investment in it.
The governor spoke at the CITC forum held in Riyadh to discuss investment opportunities available in the sector, ways to organize the sector and provide and protect competition in the sector.