Talent development vital to support Bahrain’s growing ICT industry

Talent development vital to support Bahrain’s growing ICT industry

By: Dr. Mazen Mohamed Ali, Director & Associate Professor, Media Center, University of BahrainSpending in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector in Bahrain is poised to reach US$2.1bn by 2024, according to Global Data[1]. This growth is backed by the Kingdom's new regulations, business policies, and adoption of advanced infrastructure. With the change in the foreign ownership laws, Bahrain is also welcoming international tech companies and providing them with limitless opportunities to tap into their investment prospects[2]. In short, Bahrain continues to propel itself forward as a strategic ICT hub in the region and even internationally.Without a doubt, the ICT sector represents a strategic and vital part of Bahrain's plans for building a more prosperous society. Technology drives the growth of smarter and more innovative companies and industries. It enables the robust and sustainable socio-economic development of the country. The Kingdom's government has already stated that the ICT sector's continuous growth is a priority for Bahrain and is a crucial enabler of the Economic Vision 2030. Advanced technologies such as 5G, cloud, and artificial intelligence will play an integral role in building a knowledge-based digital economy.One of the critical components that will herald the success of the burgeoning ICT