The region's information and communications technology (ICT) spending is set to surpass the $270-billion-mark in 2015, with a nine per cent growth, the second-fastest of any global region, according to research firm IDC.

In particular, IDC predicts strong growth in smart cities, telecommunication and digital services, and security investments.

With global ICT growth on the rise, SAP predicts there will be 75 billion connected devices and 2.5 billion connections by 2020, unlocking an opportunity of $65 trillion in what SAP calls the “Networked Economy”.

“Organisations in the Mena region are deploying the latest technology not simply because it exists, but rather to innovate new business models, radically simplify business processes, and deliver superlative experience to tech-savvy customers,” remarked Sam Alkharrat, the president of SAP Mena.

“Technology is becoming increasing vital as the region hosts mega-projects and mega-events like World Expo 2020 and 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar, with ICT helping organizations to gain a competitive advantage and to drive the region’s economy,” he noted.

In anticipation of the increasing importance of customer innovation in the Networked Economy, SAP Mena has become the first in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) to open a dedicated customer office.

"By opening SAP’s first regional customer office, we are demonstrating our support for the Middle East’s sustainable economic growth," stated Frank Forndron, the newly-appointed head of customer office, SAP Mena.

Organisations in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) are early adopters of the technology innovations, as the wider region will post the world’s second-fastest IT growth in 2015, stated Forndron.

"We are helping our customers to accelerate innovation adoption and value realization, as well as to leverage best practices from around the world, while enhancing project delivery coordination and communication to senior leaders," he added.

In his new role, Forndron will report to Alkharrat and Pedro van der Werf, the head of customer office, SAP EMEA, while maintaining his responsibility as head of quality management for SAP Mena and EMEA emerging markets.-TradeArabia News Service