The Impact of COVID-19 on Information Technology industry: A Comparison Study between the Top Digital Countries in Middle East and Egypt

Abstract

With the beginning of 2020, the Covid-19 global pandemic emerged, which in turn affected the economic sectors worldwide. This impact varies from one country to another depending on the strength of the country economic system and its ability to cope with the crisis and recover. Information technology plays a major role in facing the repercussions of the pandemic by activating remote working and distance learning, as well as online shopping and other electronic practices. It also has a role in helping health sector to discover cases, trace and deal with cases remotely, among others. This paper provides a comparative study between the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on information technology industry in Middle East countries and Egypt, by reviewing the achievements of information technology in Middle East countries and Egypt. In this context, this paper consists of five parts. The first part is introduction for the main concept of the paper, and the second one provides a general view for the information technology industry amid the pandemic. While the third part focus on the impact of Covid-19 on using information technology in various sector in terms of Middle East top digital countries (Saudi Arabia and UAE) and Egypt. In addition, the fourth part presents the conclusion and the fifth one displays the recommendations. It clears that Egypt is one of the pioneer countries in developing its information technology sector and transforming digitally however it still need more efforts in this regard.