Paper Title
The Contribution of The ICT Sector in The Economic Development Process Case Study on Palestinian Companies in Gaza

Abstract
ICT sector has a major role in improvement and development of countries. The current development of the world is significantly related to the development of this sector, which fosters the economic growth and improves the economic capabilities through the exchange of products through computer networks. It also provides various services, and facilitates their access to citizens. Thus, it is considered as a main engine of the development process through increasing the national income in most developing and developed countries. The study aimed to find out the extent of the contribution of the ICT sector in the economic development process through studying the companies in this sector operating in the Gaza Strip. The study used the descriptive and analytical approach. The study population, and sample, was the companies operating in the ICT sector in Gaza, where the method of comprehensive survey was used in the distribution of the questionnaire to 47 sampling units. The study concluded that ICT companies operating in the Gaza Strip are very small in size in terms of the number of employees, technicians, and specialized engineers. The provision of physical and software resources, and the improvement of communication networks and technical capacities in these companies are believed to be essential factors that help improve employees’ productivity and income in this field. The study recommended that there is a need to merge the small but related companies to increase the potential of international and local competition between the ICT sector companies. There is also a need to develop communication networks in line with the global developments in this area, and to pay more attention to substantial investments in this vital sector. Keywords - (Information Connection technology (ICT sector), Economic Development