Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) signed on February 18, 2010 a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Intel Corp.
The agreement works on developing and boosting the potentials of Egyptian information and communication technology (ICT) companies via making use of Intel's technical expertise.
Based on the agreement, Intel will help Egyptian companies improve their potentials and develop their products and technical solutions.
The MoU items are divided into two parts. The first part has to do with the Technology Incubators Program carried out by ITIDA. Intel will offer consultations, cooperate in evaluating the projects that sign up for the Business Plan Competition and define the competitiveness of each business plan during the incubation period.
In addition, Intel will provide the incubated companies technical support and training on the Intel latest technologies and solutions. Intel will also encourage these companies to join the Intel® Software Partner Program and make use of all the benefits it entails.
Moreover, Intel will supply the incubation program with software development tools to help in the quality testing and assessment processes of the software produced by the incubated companies.
Additionally, Intel will support these companies by showcasing their products and solutions at Intel's local, regional and international conferences and exhibitions.
ITIDA CEO Dr. Hazem Abdelazim said that the MoU aims to maximize bilateral collaboration in a bid to serve creativity and innovation in IT, stressing the advantages that incubated companies are likely to gain through such cooperation.
Vice President of ITIDA Dr. Sherif Hashim confirmed that the Technology Incubators program is one of the most important projects that contribute to turning inventive ideas and business plans into concrete successful businesses through the support the program offers the companies.
Christos Georgiopoulos, General Manager, Developer Relations Division, Intel Software and Service Group, noted that software programming plays a key role in economic activities.
The mission of the program, Georgiopoulos explained, is to sponsor and support the software programming environment in Egypt through integrating and developing the resources of planning, sales and marketing and technical processes designed to help businesses to grow and expand in international markets. Georgiopoulos expressed happiness that Intel will take part in supporting Egyptian startup companies.
The second part of the MoU is based on boosting cooperation between ITIDA and Intel through Intel Software Influencer Program. Implemented by ITIDA, the purpose of the program is to support the innovation and production of software programs as well as support companies specialized in this domain through facilitating for them technological and marketing tools.
Intel, based on the cooperation, will promote the diverse programs and initiatives carried out by ITIDA on the level of the members of the Intel program.
Furthermore, Intel will provide the ITIDA database member companies the same benefits. Additionally, ITIDA will promote Intel program among the companies registered in its database.
Taha Khalifa, Intel Egypt Country Manager, said that Egypt is a promising IT hub. "We have always been seeking an opportunity to help startup companies and offer them training and infrastructure," Khalifa said.
"We believe that working with startup companies is very important in order to raise the standard of innovative thinking in the Egyptian IT market. This will eventually lead to the creation of a local internet protocol as well as an increasing recognition of patents," he added.
The MoU reflects ITIDA's keenness on encouraging innovation and creativity in IT as well as Intel's commitment to help enhance the Egyptian ICT market. The agreement also goes in line with ITIDA's keenness to enhance the principle of public-private partnerships.
About ITIDA
Located in the heart of modern business environment at the Smart Village, The Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) is a governmental entity spearheading the development of the Egyptian IT sector and increasing its global competitiveness. ITIDA, an affiliate of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), is tasked with the focal role in the developing the IT industry through identifying the needs of the local industry and addressing them with tailored programs. The agency is considered to be a one-stop-shop for foreign investors and a strategic advisor to Multi-National Companies (MNCs) investing in the Egyptian IT sector. It further plays a leading role in enhancing the Egyptian cyber security and data protection framework towards a more secure e-Business and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) services positioning.
About Intel
Intel is the world leader in silicon innovation, developing technologies, products and initiatives to continually advance how people work and live.
About World Ahead
Through its World Ahead Program, Intel strives to improve education, health care, entrepreneurship and government services in developing countries worldwide by accelerating access to computers, connectivity and localized Internet content.
