Google CEO sees bright Saudi Internet prospects

By ARAB NEWS

RIYADH: Eric Emerson Schmidt, chairman and CEO of Google Inc., said Monday that he was highly impressed by the Saudi economy. He also predicted that the Kingdom would achieve tremendous economic progress and technological advancement in the coming years.

Schmidt made this comment during talks with Amr Al-Dabbagh, governor of Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA). Dabbagh said Schmidt came to the Kingdom at the invitation of SAGIA to have a firsthand knowledge of the country's general situation.

Schmidt, who met with officials of Saudi information and communications companies, had positive impressions about investment in Saudi Arabia and prospects of content industry and Internet.

"The world is witnessing rapid development in all areas as a result of new technological inventions," he said.

The officials who met with Schmidt included Saud Al-Duwaish, CEO of Saudi Telecom Company, Azzam Al-Dakhil, CEO of Saudi Research & Marketing Group (SRMG), and Abdul Aziz Al-Tamami, CEO operations at Mobily.

The Google chief predicted that the Kingdom would have a bright future because of its large young population. He said the Arabic content on the Worldwide Web was expanding by the day. "The Internet Arabic content will increase further due to the presence of a large Arab population estimated at 300 million," he said, adding that Saudi Arabia would have a big role to play in expanding Arabic content on the Internet.

Google International has two offices in Egypt and Dubai but no presence in any other Arab country. It has introduced Arabic language in its search engine and provides translation services from different languages to Arabic. According to statistics published in 2009, 48 million Arabs use the Internet.

Comments

SYED OMAR

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Schmidt's visit to Saudi Arabia is highly welcome and his acceptance to visit Saudi Arabia shows his interest in huge market potential. But I am disappointed to see only the picture of the smiling CEOs having a photo session with Schmidt....no details of setting up a Google office in Saudi, no partnership deals, no technology build for our brilliant youths. We have a lot to learn from Google's success.
To start with, I wish the CEOs in the line should try to copy the Google's management model which made Google where it stands today.

IMRAN

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China is already in trouble with Google, for not censoring porn content. Then Saudi should put harsh conditions wil dealing with Google. Fear Allh, before going in harm way.

JABBAR

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It is true that Google can do much more KSA IT market is strong

ARFAN

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Does it make sense for Google to go do business in a state known to be atrociously insensitive to women's rights and personal liberties, just when it is making all this noise about China?
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