Egypt, represented by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and the National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA), is participating in the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA-20), organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), on March 1-9, in Geneva, Switzerland, preceded by the Global Standards Symposium on February 28. The WTSA is held every four years and defines the next period of study for the Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T).
On the sidelines of WTSA- 20, NTRA and the Saudi Communication and Information Technology Commission (CITC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cooperate and exchange expertise on several areas, including smart cities, radio spectrum management and capacity building in digital transformation. The MoU was signed in line with promoting international cooperation between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with respect to telecom regulation. The MoU is in line with Egypt's policy to accelerate digital transformation, improve relevant services, and reinforce the competitive environment of investments in Egypt’s telecom market.
The MoU articles stipulate promoting cooperation on several ICT-related issues. The articles also entail the exchange of expertise with respect to radio spectrum management, numbering and service-quality. Both parties agreed as per the MoU to exchange expertise and knowledge to advance mutual interests at the regional and international levels. They also agreed on the main features and mechanisms to enforce the MoU, which entail the provision of consulting services in the fields of human resources management and development, alongside strategic planning. They also agreed on the mechanisms to organize joint events, including meetings and conferences, and to design training programs and workshops for both sides.
The MoU was signed by NTRA Executive President Hossam El-Gamal and CITC Governor Mohammed Al-Tamimi, in the presence of Ambassador Ahmed Ihab Abdelahad Gamaleldin, the Permanent Representative of Egypt to the United Nations in Geneva and other international organizations in Geneva, and Ambassador Abdul Aziz Al-Wasel, Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva.
