UAE Internet users spent over US$ 1.15 billion in B2C e-commerce

Dubai, Sept.9th,2007 (WAM) -- A new Arab Advisors Groupmajor survey of Internet users in the UAE reveals substantialadoption of e-commerce in the affluent and booming economy.

Some 51.2% of Internet users in the UAE reportedpurchasing products and services online and through their mobilehandsets over the past 12 months. Based on the survey findings,the Arab Advisors Group estimates e-commerce users in the UAEto exceed 1.16 million consumers who have spent over US$ 1.15billion over the past 12 months.

A new major survey of the Internet users in the United Arab Emirates,was concluded by the Arab Advisors Group on September 7, 2007.

The survey report, UAE Internet users and e-commercesurvey 2007, which has over 75 detailed exhibits in 64 pages,provides the results of a major comprehensive online survey ofInternet users in the UAE. The survey covered the Internet usage,e commerce and cellular usage and habits of the Internet usersin the United Arab Emirates. The survey was conducted in August2007.

"The booming economy of the UAE, its burgeoning population andwide adoption of Internet, provide an ideal context for a thrivinge-commerce scene. Our major survey of Internet users in the UAErevealed a massive size for B2C e-commerce in the country. Thispresents opportunities for global and regional e-commerce playersto tap into this growing market." Mr. Jawad Abbassi, Founderand General Manager of Arab Advisors Group commented.

Respondents received an email shot in their inbox to ask themto fill the survey. The survey received online replies from 1,108respondents who answered the survey questions online. The surveywas conducted on the general Internet population, including bothgenders and all age groups across the UAE. The online surveyyields a confidence level of 99% with a margin of error of lessthan 3%.

"The majority of UAE e-commerce users make their payments throughcredit cards: 83.8% of E-commerce users reported using creditcards as their e-commerce method of payment. Following creditcards, 31.7% of e-commerce users reported using bank accounttransfers for their payments." Mr. Hussam Barhoush, Arab Advisorsresearch analyst wrote in the survey report.