Gartner predicted that the value of mobile phone sales in the Middle East will grow from just over $30 billion (€27.5 billion) in 2016 to almost $37 billion in 2019, as part of broader growth in IT equipment spending in the region. The research company also said sales of PCs and tablet PCs will hit close to $8 billion in 2016 and surpass $10 billion by 2018. The company said the combined total for both categories of devices will grow from $39.8 billion in 2016 to $48.1 billion in 2018 and $49.4 billion in 2019. Overall IT expenditure in the Middle East -- comprising outlay on devices, data centre systems, software, IT services, and communication services -- is tipped to grow from $212.9 billion in 2016 to $242 billion in 2019. Report