Telecom sector’s exports record $1.87 billion a year

CAIRO – 8 October 2017: The telecommunications sector grew by 12.5 percent in the last fiscal year, with its exports reaching $1.87 billion annually, Minister of Communications and Information Technology Yasser el-Kady said Sunday.

He added that the sector has provided 90,000 direct and indirect jobs, contributing 3.2 percent to the GDP.

Kady’s comments came during his participation in the 37th GITEX Technology Week held in Dubai from October 8 -12.

According to the latest statistics of the Information Technology Industry Development Agency’s (ITIDA) 2016 cash-rebate program on the Egyptian ICT exports, the United Arab Emirates came as the largest importer of Egypt’s ICT service providers; representing 66 percent of total exports to the Gulf region.

The data further show that UAE's top imported services from the Egyptian companies are BPO, software/ applications development, followed by integrated solutions and information systems.

During the exhibition, the minster reviewed the sector’s accomplishments during the past two years, including the establishment of two technology parks in the governorates of Alexandria and Assuit, the launch of the 4G services and the anticipated manufacturing of the first Egyptian mobile phone.

Kady further said that Egypt has been constantly developing its business environment for both local and foreign investors through a number of flagship projects that boosts the ICT industry and reinforces Egypt’s prominence as one of the leading offshoring destinations in the world.

Egypt is represented at the exhibition by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology along with the ITIDA.