5 - General and Targeted Strategic Policies In light of the rapid and ongoing growth of the ICT sector, developing policies and regulations related to modern technologies is a strategic national priority. The importance of determining and adopting the right policies stems from the need to establish the foundations, mechanisms and procedures through which strategies can be successfully implemented, with close attention to protecting the interests of individuals and society, and identifying users’ duties and responsibilities. The policies adopted in previous strategic plans were successful in ensuring the ICT sector’s ability to meet increasing demand. From October 2010 to October 2011, the number of internet users increased by 20.36% from 23.06 million to 27.75 million, while the number of mobile internet subscribers grew by 15.7%. MCIT therefore established various work programs to develop and determine policies in light of strategic planning aims, research and analytical studies. These programs aim at: Drafting and updating policies and guiding principles concerning ICT use in local development Contributing to the development of legislative and regulatory frameworks related to the ICT sector Supporting the development of strategies to increase the spread and use of ICTs and maximize their benefit to users and society Monitoring developments in technology 36 37