UAE Internet users spend over USD 1.15 billion in B2C e-commerce over the past 12 months

51.2 per cent of Internet users in the UAE reported purchasing products and services online and through their mobile handsets over the past 12 months. Based on the survey findings, the Arab Advisors Group estimates e-commerce users in the UAE to exceed 1.16 million consumers who have spent over US$ 1.15 billion over the past 12 months.

A new major survey of the Internet users in the United Arab Emirates, was concluded by the Arab Advisors Group on September 7, 2007. The survey report, UAE Internet users and e-commerce survey 2007, which has over 75 detailed exhibits and 64 pages, provides the results of a major comprehensive online survey of Internet users in the UAE. The survey covered the Internet usage, e commerce and cellular usage and habits of the Internet users in the United Arab Emirates. The survey was conducted in August 2007.

'The booming economy of the UAE, its burgeoning population and wide adoption of Internet, provide an ideal context for a thriving e-commerce scene. Our major survey of Internet users in the UAE revealed a massive size for B2C e-commerce in the country. This presents opportunities for global and regional e-commerce players to tap into this growing market,'

Mr. Jawad Abbassi, Founder and General Manager of Arab Advisors Group commented.

Respondents received an email shot in their inbox to ask them to fill the survey. The survey received online replies from 1,108 respondents who answered the survey questions online. The survey was conducted on the general Internet population, including both genders and all age groups across the UAE. The online survey yields a confidence level of 99% with a margin of error of less than 3%.

'The majority of UAE e-commerce users make their payments through credit cards: 83.8% of E-commerce users reported using credit cards as their e-commerce method of payment. Following credit cards, 31.7% of e-commerce users reported using bank account transfers for their payments.' Mr. Hussam Barhoush, Arab Advisors research analyst wrote in the survey report.

The Arab Advisors Group divided the survey questionnaire into two main sections: Telecommunications and Internet

The sections provide a balanced focus on the following areas:

Telecommunications

•Cellular subscriptions

•3G Cellular services

Internet

•Internet usage trends

•Internet subscription

•Internet usage

•Internet access methods and costs

•Internet user's sociability on the Internet

•E-commerce

•E-Banking and E-Government services