Bahrain has the adequate infrastructure, advanced legislation and financial resources to become the region's leading ICT hub, according to an expert. 

 

There is increasing demand locally and regionally for these technologies and we anticipate high expectations for their revenues to grow significantly, stated Yaqoob Al Awadhi, the CEO of NGN International, a full-fledged systems integrator and IT consultant based in Bahrain.

 

He pointed out that the kingdom had enough potential to become an advanced centre in the field of industry, development, programming, and application of information systems in the region, depending on its national cadres that has the ability to learn and innovate. 

 

"Bahrain have the adequate ICT infrastructure, advanced legislation, and the presence of financial resources to ensure its dominance in regional and even global competition," noted Al Awadhi. 

 

"There is increasing demand locally and regionally for these technologies and we anticipate high expectations for their revenues to grow significantly," he added.

 

As Bahrain moves towards digital transformation and building a knowledge economy, advanced information systems appear as one of the most essential features of the 4th industrial revolution, said the ICT expert. 

 

"We can reproduce advanced technologies in AI, robotics, big data, blockchains, biotechnology, nanotechnology, three-dimensional printing, and the Internet of things and utilize them in diverse sectors," observed Al Awadhi. 

 

He pointed out that the kingdom had at one point been able to embrace the financial banking industry and develop it until it became a pioneer in the field. 

 

"Similarly, it can be the leader in the field of robotics industry whose market size is estimated at billions of dollars around the world," he added. 

 

He called upon authorities to establish an incubator or business accelerator in Bahrain dedicated to advanced information technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics, as these new technologies provide entrepreneurs with innovative ways to add value to their activities and open a new era for emerging companies. He also urged Bahraini youth to take up robotics as career.

 

Downplaying the fear of linking the expansion of using robots and the high level of unemployment, Al Awadhi said: "Robotics industry will provide qualitative job opportunities for Bahrainis in the fields of programming, AI, and other systems."

 

"Modern technologies will impose themselves into our business either we approve it or not, and it is more proper for us to be proactive in benefiting from them and integrating them into our lives and encourage our youth to deal with," he added.-TradeArabia News Service