The Information Technology Industry Development Agency ITIDA’s CEO, Engineer Amr Mahfouz, delivered a speech at IDC CIO Summit 2021, hosted in Egypt under the auspices of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), and organized in collaboration with the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA).
The Summit was attended by a number of decision makers and experts in major institutions and companies in various sectors. This year’s summit was held online, under the theme “Innovative Digital Strategies: Evolving to the Demands of a New Reality.”
Mahfouz said during his speech that Egypt took steady, albeit major steps towards Digital Transformation during the COVID-19 global pandemic. He stated that ITIDA has availed issuing new licenses for local companies to provide E-signature services, like E-signature certificates, E-seal, and time stamp services for both individuals, and businesses, as a response to the expansion of the digital services, digital transformation, and to meet the increasing and unprecedented demand on high-security e-signature services to accelerate Digital Transformation in Egypt.
Mahfouz added that the E-signature is also essential to the E-invoice system implemented by the Ministry of Finance, as well as in the Digital Egypt platform that automates government services and the new Egyptian customs automation project, The Advanced Cargo Information system (ACI), introduced by the Egyptian Customs Authority. Mahfouz said that these important advances come as a part of Egypt’s vision 2030 for Digital Transformation and improving governmental services.
Mahfouz added that ITIDA has also launched the new Digital Transformation 4 Software Development Companies (DX4SW) initiative to help the local software development companies follow the latest digital transformation global trends, through offering a reference architecture and DX guide based on international quality standards.
Mahfouz applauded the developments which the entrepreneurship sector has witnessed in Egypt, stating: “I am thrilled to say that Egypt’s technology entrepreneurship scene has shown great resilience amid the global challenges introduced by COVID-19.”
Mahfouz announced that in response to the rapid emergence of innovation and entrepreneurship in Egypt, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) has established a fully integrated ecosystem for the electronics industry through the launching of Knowledge City Innovation Hub.
With its prime location, The Knowledge City Innovation hub incorporates highly advanced technological labs, that adopt industry 4.0 global trends, like IoT/Robotics, VR, AR, AI, a clean room and an incubator for tech and E-design startups.
Mahfouz said that Egypt has a great international reputation for its Offshoring Services and Solutions, noting: “we are equally developing and maturing to deliver high-end services, and we acknowledge the exceptional capabilities of our talent pool, as ITIDA and MCIT invest in professional skill training on emerging technologies such as IoT, AI, block chain, data sciences, Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality.”
A number of programs and initiatives have been carried out, including Future Work is Digital (FWD) initiative for training and qualifying 100K young people for freelance jobs on international freelancing platforms.
Mahfouz noted additionally, in order to develop local electronics design and manufacturing capacity, ITIDA has been working with the MCIT through its Egypt Makes Electronics initiative (EME) to boost exports by leveraging trade agreements; fostering industry-academia collaboration; and encouraging the production of smartphones, tablets, GPS devices, smart meters, LED lighting, industrial electronics and more. Investors are offered incentives and subsidies on research and development, tools and development kits, and training.
ITIDA has also offered an extra stimulus package for local IT exporters as through a new round of “Export IT” program, which grants IT export incentives on proceeds of value-added exports of two consecutive years, 2019 and 2020 in an unprecedented step in response to COVID-19.
Mahfouz added that looking forward to a new era beyond the pandemic, ITIDA is working on setting long-term goals through a five-year strategy, for both the technology Innovation and entrepreneurship sector, as well as the outsourcing sector.
This strategy is geared towards positioning Egypt as an ideal global destination for high tech innovation and highlighting Egypt’s attractive and unique elements in the outsourcing industry.
