More global investment and trade between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Africa is urged, partly to assist Dubai’s bid for the World Expo 2020.
This is the word from Ahmad Abdulkarim Julfar, CEO of Etisalat Group, speaking yesterday at the opening panel of African Global Business Forum 2013 alongside Reem Al Hashimy, the Minister of State for the UAE.
“Within Africa, the telecommunications element of ICT on its own may contribute double-digit growth to a nation’s GDP,” Julfar says. “In the wider context of ICT, this increases to up to 25% and when the enabling effects of ICT are included – that is the impact on other sectors of the economy – the range of impact may be as much as 30%.”
Julfar says the deployment of ICT infrastructure and support services has a dramatic effect on gross domestic product (GDP) growth and contributes to improvements in areas such as education and health.
“There is great potential for growth in both second-generation wireless telephone technology and mobile broadband subscriptions in Africa, representing a significant opportunity for the telecommunications industry as a whole and for the economies of countries in the continent,” Julfar says. “A flourishing telecoms industry will secure employment and training opportunities for citizens.”
Etisalat Group currently has operations in the African countries of Egypt, Nigeria, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, the Ivory Coast, Benin, Gabon, Niger and the Central African Republic.
This is the word from Ahmad Abdulkarim Julfar, CEO of Etisalat Group, speaking yesterday at the opening panel of African Global Business Forum 2013 alongside Reem Al Hashimy, the Minister of State for the UAE.
“Within Africa, the telecommunications element of ICT on its own may contribute double-digit growth to a nation’s GDP,” Julfar says. “In the wider context of ICT, this increases to up to 25% and when the enabling effects of ICT are included – that is the impact on other sectors of the economy – the range of impact may be as much as 30%.”
Julfar says the deployment of ICT infrastructure and support services has a dramatic effect on gross domestic product (GDP) growth and contributes to improvements in areas such as education and health.
“There is great potential for growth in both second-generation wireless telephone technology and mobile broadband subscriptions in Africa, representing a significant opportunity for the telecommunications industry as a whole and for the economies of countries in the continent,” Julfar says. “A flourishing telecoms industry will secure employment and training opportunities for citizens.”
Etisalat Group currently has operations in the African countries of Egypt, Nigeria, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, the Ivory Coast, Benin, Gabon, Niger and the Central African Republic.