By the end of 2008, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will have more than 2.41 million Internet users, roughly 50 percent of the population, making it the Arab world's most wired country, DPM News Agency reported. Currently, there are estimated to be 1.25 million Internet users, representing 31 per cent of the population. The projected figures are quite impressive considering that population will have a substantial segment of unskilled laborers, according to a study by the Dubai-based Madar Research Group.
"The projections for 2008 are very encouraging but we expect the growth to be even higher, because by then Dubai eGovernment would have reached the ultimate stage of transactional e-governance, bringing the bulk of the population into the fold of eServices," said Salem Al Shair, Director of services at Dubai eGovernment.
"Dubai eGovernment is involved in a multi-pronged strategy to increase IT penetration across all segments of the community and businesses. For example, e4all is an ambitious program, which we have designed to offer incentives to the people to enhance their IT skills and proficiency through packages solutions that deliver classroom and online learning programs, in partnership with leading global IT players and training institutes. Al Shair said.