Information technology crucial to achieve development -- UN

BEIRUT, Sept 11 (KUNA) -- Information technology and communication are the main topics in the ninth goal of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, and vital means of boosting global economy and achieving development.
The ninth goal titled "Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure" focuses on the role of information technology (IT) and communication in creating social connections and achieve development in countries, said the UN media center in Beirut in its bulletin on Monday.
Investing in infrastructure including energy sources, transportation, clean industries and allowing an easy access to information for all individuals is crucial to boost the technology field, it said.
The report noted the importance of developing scientific research and technological abilities in the industrial field, mainly in developing countries. This will provide more job opportunities and support innovation, it added.
Statistics showed that GDP increases by about two percent with every 10 percent rise in access to technology, especially the internet in developing countries, the report said.
Meanwhile, the UN office said that profits of companies went up by about 50 percent as they followed the digital revolution, thus allowing employees to have more innovative ideas that can be financed by new investors.
The Arab World is seeing development in supporting youth's innovation, however, owners of small-sized industrial projects are still in need for further facilitations and financial support, it said.
Kuwait on its part is exerting great efforts in developing the skills of creative youth in the field, as the country is considered among the top states in the Arab World in supporting innovation in technology information. Kuwait is also in the 18th place globally in quality of innovation, while it came in the 12th place in information technology exports and the first in the outcome of direct foreign investment, according to the Global Innovation Index by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
WIPO also praised Kuwait's support for investing in manpower and having a strong infrastructure. (end) wsm.ag