Plans, achievements presented in Cairo ICT 2019

CAIRO - 1 December 2019: Minister of Communications and Information Technology Amr Talaat presented in the opening session of CAIRO ICT 2019 the achievements accomplished in the sector.

The minister said a national artificial intelligence strategy has been set, and that an AI center will be established in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education. The center is planned to partner with international entities to find solutions pertinent to healthcare and agriculture such as detecting diseases, and solutions relevant to water treatment, translation and others. The center will also be a means to qualify professionals in the field.

The minister stressed that Egypt works on introducing G5 technology, and to train a total of 25,000 individuals on modern technology by 2025 in partnership with world-class universities. In 2019, the number of trainees jumped to 13,000 from 4,000. The minister added that also conscripts would be trained while doing the military service in collaboration with the Egyptian Armed Forces. Among the solutions developed by trainees are tracking devices for vehicles.

The minister declared that technological innovation complexes will be introduced in six universities located in Menoufia, Minya, Sohag, Aswan, Qena, Mansoura. Talaat stated that the occupancy rate by the private sector in technology zones in Borg al Arab and Asyut has reached 60 percent. In that context, the minister asserted that the ministry develops incentives to local and foreign investments in the sector.

Talaat gave some details on the Knowledge City that is under construction in the New Administrative Capital (NAC). The first phase costing LE2 billion includes a center specialized in applied research that can cooperate with international companies in certain research projects.
The center will house a building dedicated to technical training, and another that will be devoted to house the National Academy for Assistive Technologies for Physical Disabilities.

The minister said that fiber optic cables and computers have been introduced in 105 youth centers in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sport to make technology skills learning possible in 20 governorates. The ministry has also introduced a tencial center dedicated to receive emergency calls from hearing impaired people. The ministry also plans to establish 300 units that provide diagnosis and treatment for dwellers of remote areas. The ministry finished half of them this year and the rest will be accomplished next year.

Talaat declared that the speed of the internet has tripled as it was 5.07 Mbps in June 2018 but became 18 Mbps in November 2019. By the end of this year, it is expected to reach 20 Mbps.

A pilot phase of governmental e-services was launched in Port Said, and eight governmental buildings in the governorate were connected to the web through fiber optics to not use the internet. That will be applied across the country in 34,000 governmental buildings with investments worth LE6 billion. In 2025, 5,000 buildings would offer e-services by introducing fiber optics with investments worth LE1 billion.

The ministry is using ICT technologies to screen mines, conduct a census of agricultural acquisition, digitalize the tax collection system, establish an online archeological platform, introduce online tests in universities, and automate the healthcare system, train ticket booking system, pension delivery system in post offices, and public-sector companies. The ministry has also launched the 1st phase of digitized migration and nationality services as well as the smart card for civil services.

Investments in the sector increased in current FY2019/2020 to LE35 billion from LE28 billion with a 25 percent increase. The sector grew by 14 percent last FY2018-2019 and 16 percent this fiscal year. Its share in GDP rose from 3.2 percent to 4 percent. Exports of digital services increased from $3.2 billion from $3.6 billion.

The President of Universal Postal Union (UPU) Bishar Abdirahman Hussein delivered a speech affirming that Egypt possesses a strong telecommunication network and a robust infrastructure.

President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi wished investors in the ICT sector success and reiterated that Egypt is a large market having 100 million citizens. The president asserted the “state” is eager to develop and expand that sector in the country describing ICT as “the future of humanity.”

President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi inaugurated on Sunday the 23rd edition of Cairo International Communication and Technology Conference (Cairo ICT) held on December 1-4 at Al Manara International Conferences Center on the slogan “The Digital Experience.”

Around 500 international and local companies are taking part in the exhibition featuring a number of forums in parallel such as the 6th edition of Pafix concerned with financial inclusion, and the 4th edition of Innovation Arena whereas participants present creative solutions.

The exhibition also hosts the 5th editions of Defense, Security, Public Safety Technology Fair and Forum for the Middle East and Africa (DSS), and Intelli-Cities that offer modern technologies for urban communities and houses.

The president listened to a presentation by Minister of Communications and Information Technology Amr Talaat on the country's digital transformation vision that aims at facilitating services offered to citizens.