Increasing PC and Internet penetration to boost Dubai eGovernment's 'e4all' community IT training program

The projections, based on a study conducted by Madar Research Group, are providing a further boost to Dubai eGovernment's 'e4all' initiative launched recently to accelerate IT penetration in the UAE through community IT training. It consists of value packages developed in association with prime sponsor Intel Middle East and strategic partners Fujitsu Siemens Computers, Microsoft, EPSON Middle East, a leading bank and four training institutes.

'Projections about the UAE being ahead of the rest of the GCC countries in Internet penetration is good news for Dubai eGovernment, because online services are the key components of this pioneering project aimed at ushering in an era of electronic services,' said Salem Al-Shair, Director of eServices, Dubai eGovernment. 'We expect that the optimistic figures be translated into a greater response for the e4all initiative which is designed to help people learn how to access online services and carry out online transactions.'

'The launch of e4all comes at a time when the UAE is leading the GCC in creating IT training projects as part of its vision to turn the country into a regional IT hub and the leading player in the Knowledge Economy,' said Al-Shair. 'Dubai eGovernment is an extension of this vision and we are confident of considerably accelerating the people's involvement in eServices by offering them incentives such as e4all.'

Al-Shair expects the PC penetration in the UAE to increase dramatically as a result of the e4all project. The current PC penetration levels stand at around 15 per cent, according to Madar figures, the second highest after Bahrain. As a result of the packages offered at a cost-effective rate under the e4all project.

The e4all project offers customized packages for individuals, SMEs (small and medium enterprises) and large businesses. E4all provides value-for-money training for government employees, registered businesses and citizens. This involves providing PCs or notebooks at special rates, customized hardware and software, installment schemes, end-user warranty and several added benefits such as free subscriptions to IT magazines.