We do not expect Qatar s IT market will be significantly impacted by the global decline in oil prices since ----, and maintain our view that it will outperform other oil producer states in terms of macroeconomic performance and IT spending growth in ----. This outlook has also filtered through to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) which are looking to take advantage of opportunities generated by the ---- FIFA World Cup and regional economic development; and, since a high proportion of Qatari SMEs do not have well developed IT facilities including PCs and business software, there is potential for significant growth. ...We do not expect Qatar s IT market will be significantly impacted by the global decline in oil prices since ----, and maintain our view that it will outperform other oil producer states in terms of macroeconomic performance and IT spending growth in ----. This outlook has also filtered through to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) which are looking to take advantage of opportunities generated by the ---- FIFA World Cup and regional economic development; and, since a high proportion of Qatari SMEs do not have well developed IT facilities including PCs and business software, there is potential for significant growth. Meanwhile, the Qatari government has outlined plans to invest QAR-bn (USD-.-bn) in information technology and IT services as part of its ICT----- strategy. This ambitious plan has been a major driver of IT spending growth across all market segments. Qatar is in the process of building a national broadband network, with the aim of covering -- of premises by ----/-- - which will enable growth of cloud computing, real time data analytics and ERP and the internet of things through investments in, among other projects, smart cities.
...Computer Hardware Sales: QAR-.-bn in ---- to QAR-.-bn in ----, a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -.- in local currency terms. Saturated PC market, including for tablets, means explosive growth is not possible, but high incomes should ensure short replacement cycles and premium product bias that will mean Qatar is still lucrative for vendors. Software Sales: QAR---mn in ---- to QAR---mn in ----, a CAGR of -.- . The dominant oil and gas industry is an underweight software spending vertical, but there is scope for growth in the enterprise market over the medium term through the modernisation and diversification government initiatives. IT Services Sales: QAR-.-bn in ---- to QAR-.-bn in ----, a CAGR of -.- . ...IT Services Sales: QAR-.-bn in ---- to QAR-.-bn in ----, a CAGR of -.- . Cloud computing adoption, along with early adoption of Internet of Things solutions, underpins our outlook for segment outperformance based on emerging technologies spending growth.
...Government spending on IT projects will grow at a high rate over the medium term as part of e-government and e-business initiatives to be implemented by ictQATAR, including the flagship Lusail Smart City project. The national broadband network will expand fibre broadband infrastructure to -- of homes and businesses by ----/--, enabling new services such as cloud computing to grow rapidly. ...
