ADSIC launches Abu Dhabi e-Maturity Assessment 2007

This project is an Emirate-wide initiative, which aims to measure Abu Dhabi's environment for Information and Communication Technology 'ICT', and the readiness of the Abu Dhabi population to adopt and benefit from ICT developments made in the Emirate.

As part of this initiative, ADSIC official interviewers will conduct a comprehensive and wide-reaching survey targeting Abu Dhabi residents, tourists and personnel working in businesses, in addition to specific sectors including Banking, Finance, Health, Education, Tourism, Real Estate, Recruitment and Transport, and Government agencies. The survey intends to obtain a deep understanding of the ICT environment in Abu Dhabi and to explore internet usage habits, skills and opinions.

The questions will be relating to the internet usage habits and personal opinions about ICT environment in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Once collected, the results will enable ADSIC to rank Abu Dhabi's international standing in terms of eMaturity.

The survey covered a Sample of 2,800 interviewees of both sexes and of all education levels (Primary, Preparatory, Secondary, Vocational and 3rd tier students). Moreover, the interviews were also shared by UAE citizens and expatriates of all nationalities across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and by the Public and Private Sectors as well.

It is worth mentioning that this is the first-of-its-kind initiative in the region to assess city/emirate-wide eMaturity, whereas similar initiatives were launched in the past at the level of the country in general rather than at the level of cities.

On this occasion, Rashed Lahej Al Mansoori, ADSIC Chairman, said that:

"We have launched the eMaturity Assessment 2007 in recognition of the particularity of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and in order to enhance its economic competitiveness. Moreover, the initiative will enable ADSIC to approach and understand the technological environment in Abu Dhabi from deeper perspectives; consequently, the expected outcomes will optimally guide the future projects to meet the requirements of the Abu Dhabi population."

Mr. Al-Mansoori also added, "We will be able to launch an eLiteracy campaign with well-defined aspects and objectives; besides, we will be able to support the attainability of PCs more easily connected to the internet."

Finally, "In the light of the Assessment outputs, we can benchmark Abu Dhabi's ranking against other countries and cities. This rank would reflect Abu Dhabi's potentiality to contribute to the global economy" concluded Mr. Al Mansoori.