Internet users in the UAE will reach 2.41 million by the end of 2008

Currently, there are estimated to be 1.25 million Internet users, representing 31 per cent of the population. The projected figures are quite impressive considering that population will have a substantial segment of unskilled labourers, according to a study by the Dubai-based Madar Research Group.

"The projections for 2008 are very encouraging but we expect the growth to be even higher, because by then Dubai eGovernment would have reached the ultimate stage of transactional e-governance, bringing the bulk of the population into the fold of eServices," said Salem Al Shair, Director eServices, Dubai eGovernment. "The UAE will certainly be the leader in the Arab world, but we would like to aim higher, encouraged by the unprecedented growth the UAE has recorded in the field of IT over the last few years."

"Dubai eGovernment is involved in a multi-pronged strategy to increase IT penetration across all segments of the community and businesses. For example, e4all is an ambitious programme which we have designed to offer incentives to the people to enhance their IT skills and proficiency through packages solutions that deliver classroom and on-line learning programmes, in partnership with leading global IT players and training institutes. Additionally, our other major initiative is eLearn, which offers the International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL) online. ICDL is the internationally recognised programme that follows international benchmarking standards to deliver basic computer literacy learning." Al Shair said.

The study says that the innovative offerings of Etisalat will help in increasing the penetration of the Internet, with technologies like cable Internet access, Internet via TV sets, ISDN LAN, broadband Internet and the iZone wireless network.

"The UAE has shown dynamic transformation in IT over the past few years, driven largely by a Government that believes that IT is the central pivot of all economic and social activity," said Al Shair. "Dubai eGovernment is fully convinced about the all-embracing role IT plays in our lives and has laid an infrastructure that will make it easy for all people to switch to electronic channels."