Industry sources predict a 30 percent growth in the Middle East’s information technology market by the end of the present year, according to Al-Bayan daily. These projections contradict previously released estimations from abroad, which expected the recent slowdown in US markets to have a negative impact on IT in the Middle East.
In response to sluggish overseas markets, several Middle East governments have made efforts to keep local IT industries afloat by reduced import taxes and customs duties on IT-related products, thereby lowering local costs of such products.
Steve Lockie, managing director of Tech Data Corp., stated that these efforts were thus far successful, and that the industry would only minimally bear the brunt of foreign market withdrawals minimally.
International computer vendors are reportedly pushing deals and incentives to boost regional
sales. Last month, HP announced it will make more than 2,000 laptop computers available at competitive prices in regional markets. Compaq has announced a solid growth of 17.3 percent in units sold for the first quarter of the year 2001 in the Middle East. — (MENA Report)
© 2001 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
