Internet advertising in the Arab world is forecast to hit US$250 million (Dh918.2m), thanks to the rapid rise in consumers using the Web.
Total spending in the region is set to reach at least $160m this year, and experts predict a rise of 55 to 60 per cent next year.
Isam Bayazidi, the chief executive of the Middle East online advertising network ikoo, said spending on internet advertising was even increasing in troubled markets such as Egypt.
"Initially we were a bit worried about the effect of the Arab Spring on advertising," Mr Bayazidi said. "But online advertising has been growing healthily."
Across all media including television and radio, the Arab advertising market is estimated at $4bn to $5bn, one of the lowest per-capita levels in the world.
That means that internet advertising accounts for just a tiny fraction of overall budgets.
In the UAE, growth in internet advertising for next year is forecast to be lower than in the region overall at about 25 per cent, because of the market here being "more mature", so other Arab countries have more room to grow.
"The UAE is still by far the largest in terms of spend," said Mr Bayazidi.
Ikoo is owned by Jabbar Internet Group which comprises some of the remaining assets of the former Maktoob, following the acquisition of the main Maktoob portal by Yahoo in 2009.
It provides advertising on about 120 websites, and claims to attract almost 35 million unique visitors each month.
Mr Bayazidi's forecast that advertising spending will hit $160m this year is more conservative than those of other commentators.
Ari Kesisoglu, Google's regional manager for the Middle East and North Africa (Mena), predicts that total spending on digital advertising in the region will hit $175m this year.
"The growth is not slowing down. The users grow, the businesses come online, and thus the online advertising market grows," Mr Kesisoglu said.
He added that this was because of the increasing number of internet users in the region. "I think Mena is at the tipping point of the internet adoption, and of internet usage," Mr Kesisoglu said.
"You look at the last five years, and the number of users are growing on average by 40 per cent year-on-year. This year, depending on what external resource you look at, we have roughly 85 million people online in 2011 [compared with] 5 million in 2000. And there is no sign of this growth slowing down."
bflanagan@thenational.ae
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Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
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La Liga: 2016/17
Spanish Super Cup: 2017
Uefa Champions League: 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18
Uefa Super Cup: 2016, 2017
Fifa Club World Cup: 2016, 2017
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What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Hydrogen: Market potential
Hydrogen has an estimated $11 trillion market potential, according to Bank of America Securities and is expected to generate $2.5tn in direct revenues and $11tn of indirect infrastructure by 2050 as its production increases six-fold.
"We believe we are reaching the point of harnessing the element that comprises 90 per cent of the universe, effectively and economically,” the bank said in a recent report.
Falling costs of renewable energy and electrolysers used in green hydrogen production is one of the main catalysts for the increasingly bullish sentiment over the element.
The cost of electrolysers used in green hydrogen production has halved over the last five years and will fall to 60 to 90 per cent by the end of the decade, acceding to Haim Israel, equity strategist at Merrill Lynch. A global focus on decarbonisation and sustainability is also a big driver in its development.