IT potential of Egypt & Intel's commitment to Egyptian market

Interview with Karim El Fateh, Country Manager (Egypt & Levant) of Intel Corporation:

Could you give us your general overview of the IT sector, some figures regarding the market penetration, the number of PC users and other essential characteristics of the sector?

According to IDC forecasts, worldwide IT spending will grow 5% year over year to $2.1 trillion in 2014. Emerging markets will return to double-digit growth of 10%, and, for the first time, more than 60% of worldwide IT spending growth. Technology plays an important role in the Egyptian market. Technology is the driving force for economic and social growth for Egyptians. PC penetration is still low, but the number of internet users in Egypt is increasing. According to the eMarketing Egypt Online Competitiveness Intelligence report, Egypt’s Facebook community witnessed about 41% growth compared to 2012, the number of users in 21 July 2012 being 11.3 million. This means that the current number of users is 18.84% of Egypt’s population. According to official figures, internet penetration in Egypt reaches to 43% at the end of Q2 2013, compared to 38 percent in 2012, which shows that there is much more potential in the Egyptian market for PC penetration. There is a correlation between broadband penetration and PC penetration. That’s why in Intel we are focused on three areas. One of them is education, the second is innovation and the third is entrepreneurship. These three pillars represent the “Egypt tomorrow” initiative.

Please tell us the story of Intel, Egypt. How long have you been present in the country? What is your aim and strategy?