ICDL Saudi Arabia has rolled out an intensified IT literacy strategy for 2009 to complement Saudi Arabia's huge investments in information and communications technology (ICT).

ICDL Saudi Arabia noted that the kingdom continues to be recognised as the Middle East's biggest regional investor in ICT, with recent reports indicating that Saudi accounts for over $20 billion in yearly ICT expenditure.

The growing PC and Internet adoption rates are likewise concrete evidence of KSA's improving IT landscape, providing ICDL Saudi Arabia greater leverage to optimise its IT literacy program and involve a wider spectrum of the population.

In 2007 alone, the number of Internet users in Saudi grew by 36.17 per cent and is expected to further consolidate with the growing popularity of broadband Internet connection, while the computer installed base likewise manifested strong gains with a 16.44 per cent increase, according to market intelligence firm Madar Research.

'Saudi Arabia has a very vibrant IT landscape because of proactive government support and large-scale investments. ICDL Saudi Arabia intends to build on the favourable IT conditions to expand our IT literacy program in the Kingdom,' said Dr Sulaiman Al-Dhalaan, managing director, ICDL Saudi Arabia.

'ICDL Saudi Arabia has prepared innovative campaigns that will be launched throughouk the year to help citizens take advantage of the Kingdom's improving IT infrastructure.'

The ICDL certificate is recognised and endorsed by education ministries, universities and government organisations with accreditations from over 168 countries and available in more than 40 languages.-TradeArabia News Service