DAMMAM: More than 11 million people in Saudi Arabia spend SR25.13 billion ($6.7 billion) on computers each year according to a recently released study by the Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC).
“Saudi homes spend an average of SR2,208 a year on computer hardware and software and information technology training,” said Sultan Malik, director general of international affairs and public relations at the CITC, which conducted the three-year study involving 10,407 individuals and establishments, Asharq Al-Awsat daily reported yesterday.
The CITC, which conducted the study to estimate how much people have been receptive to high-tech devices, is the Kingdom’s telecommunications regulator and operates under the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.
Private companies spend about SR30,000 every year on buying computers and hardware. The amount varies depending on the size of the company. The average annual spending of a small firm is estimated at SR6,888. On the other hand, the annual average spending of medium-sized companies is SR18,444, the study said. The study put the average annual spending in buying computers and accessories in the health sector at SR26,940. While the education sector spends around SR23,652 each year, government offices spend SR189,000 on computers. The highest amount on computers is being spent in Riyadh and Jeddah.
While a Saudi home has an average of one computer, companies use around 21 computers at their headquarters and 53 at their branch offices.
Hospitals have an average of 24 computers at their headquarters, educational establishments have an average of 25 and the head offices of government departments have an average of 186 computers. The study also found that 45 percent of users, particularly Saudi businessmen, used Arabic for Internet browsing.
The report also noted that only 9 percent of private companies have adopted e-commerce. The study found that most people do not shop online because they are not aware of the advantages of shopping online and because they believe the Internet is not safe for shopping.
