A modern sector for information and communication technologies is integral to today’s advanced industrial activities.

Saudi Vision 2030 aims to transform Saudi Arabia into a globally competitive ICT hub, with modern technologies and an empowered information society.

The ambition envisages many investment themes, including the development of digital content and media, the expansion of the telecommunication system, the digitization of the country, and the creation of new high-tech and smart industries.

The government is working alongside the private sector to modernize the ICT infrastructure, enhancing the regulatory framework to enable new innovative investments, and building the most suitable ecosystem to support entrepreneurs and digital talents.

Why you should work with Saudi Arabian IT companies

IT is used by the government sector to construct smart cities. It is also used in citizen engagement, which includes digital signs, iBeacons, mobile payments, mobile applications, and smart waste management; for public safety and emergency response, which includes connected officers, intelligent operation centers, and acoustic sensors; for social services like connected caseworkers, food bank inventory, and one-touch emergency response; for environmental monitoring like the study of weather/atmosphere; and to permit and license issuing activities. 

Taking into account that local Saudi IT companies can handle and have expertise in these fields, it is easy to deduct that they can bring something new and innovative on the global market. 

What to be aware of when working with Saudi Arabian IT companies

A low level of utilization across some components of the economy was reflected in the “Digital Middle East” report issued in October by global management consultancy McKinsey, which highlighted that just 15% of small and medium-sized enterprises in Saudi Arabia have an online presence.
 

According to McKinsey, Saudi Arabia’s digital economy contributes 3.8% to GDP, below the regional level of 4.1% and less than half the 8% seen in the US.  The report also noted that Saudi Arabia, along with other countries in the Middle East, had only captured a fraction of its digital potential.

How reliable are Saudi Arabia’s IT companies

IT companies located in Saudi Arabia are considered to be reliable, especially for regional players. The main contributor to the level of trust is the country’s reputation and the role it plays in the region. On the other hand, on a global level, there are not so many Saudi IT companies and web agencies that are popular, which is a good reason for deeper research in the search for an appropriate IT company for each project

How Does the Saudi IT industry relate to the neighboring countries?

Of the nine countries ranked in McKinsey’s Digitisation Index for the Middle East, Saudi Arabia was fourth – behind the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain – with solid state-based demand offset by weak private sector uptake and only moderate ICT supply and innovation capacity.