Intelligent CIO Middle East Issue 22 | Page 8

NEWS KSA HTC launches e-commerce platform for tech consumers HTC has launched a new e-commerce store dedicated to bringing leading innovations in smart mobile devices to consumers across Saudi Arabia. Through the new store, visitors will be able to browse and buy the entire range of HTC smartphones and accessories. The e-commerce portal will also be a platform to improve product and service experiences through customer feedback. “Moreover, e-commerce is not just a buzzword in Saudi Arabia, but a clear direction in which the retail industry is moving. The Kingdom’s young, tech-savvy population is driving this growth, and is also the same audience that is eager to explore HTC’s award-winning smartphone range.” The overall e-commerce sector is growing rapidly in KSA and across the MENA region, boosted by a young population and advanced connectivity options. AT Kearney expects the market to grow to a value of $20 billion by 2020, driven by millennials and their familiarity and comfort with shopping online, mostly for electronics, clothing, travel and food. Nikitas Glykas, President of HTC Middle East and Africa, said: “As HTC continues to grow its brand and customer base, we believe it is important to have one place for our customers where they will be able to access the entire range of HTC smartphones and accessories. Saudi Telecom Co increases net income Saudi Telecom Co’s net income for the second quarter of 2017 increased by 7.9% to reach SR 2.4 billion. For the first quarter of 2017, net income reached SR 4.9 billion, an increase of 6.6% compared to the same period last year. Dr Khaled H Biyari, STC Group CEO, said: “The whole region is moving towards digital transformation through elements of the fourth industrial revolution, here comes the importance of governments in the region to provide the right environment and stimulate investment in the required digital infrastructure. “STC embraced the Kingdom Vision 2030 and the national transformation programme 2020 through multiple initiatives, which include deployment of broadband throughout the kingdom. The company recently signed with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, represented by the Communications and Information Technology Commission, an agreement to provide high speed broadband with fibre-optic technology. “This has a projected cost of up to SR 7.3 billion, designed to deliver broadband to more than two million homes across the government plan under the supervision of the Ministry 8 INTELLIGENTCIO of Communications and Information Technology.” He added that STC will continue to invest in promising technologies and digital sectors, particularly in areas that enable growth of investments in different areas. www.intelligentcio.com