The Minister of Communications and Information Technology Amr Talaat has met with the Special Assistant to the US President for Technology, Telecom, and Cyber-Security Policy at the National Economic Council Ambassador Grace Koh and the accompanying delegation.
The meeting was held on the sidelines of the World Radiocommunication Conference 2019 (WRC-19), hosted in Sharm El-Sheikh.
On Egypt’s side, the CEO of the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) Hala El Gohary, the Associate Minister for Networks and ICT Infrastructure Hossam El-Gamal and the ICT Minister’s Advisor for Artificial Intelligence (AI) Golestan Radwan attended the meeting.
On the US side, the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Ajit Pai, and the Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Doug Kinkoph, participated in the meeting.
During the meeting, the American side congratulated Egypt on hosting the WRC-19, and hailed Egypt's efforts in developing the telecommunication infrastructure through the companies specialized in this field.
The two sides also discussed the main topics of the WRC and the wish of all participating parties to develop services through advanced infrastructure and technologies that serve people and help achieve the economic development. In this regard, Talaat pointed out that the Egyptian government is working within the framework of an integrated program for achieving digital transformation, which includes cooperation and collaboration with all concerned ministries.
In addition, the two sides discussed the significance of Artificial Intelligence t(AI) applications and the possibility of joint cooperation in this important field, especially in light of establishing a research center for AI applications in the City of Knowledge in the New Administrative Capital. The ICT Minister highlighted the availability of distinguished young calibers that can serve as a basic element for comprehensive cooperation in this field, which will serve other sectors such as health, agriculture and transport.
Talaat showcased the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) efforts in the capacity building and technological empowerment, while ensuring providing equitable access to ICTs to reach all segments of society, especially women and those with special needs.
Talaat also welcomed the American companies wishing to increase their investments in Egypt and Africa, referring to the strong relationship between Egypt and African countries, especially in light of the legislation that facilitates the work of American companies in and through Egypt to invest in Africa. He explained that the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) is responsible for developing partnerships, connecting distinguished calibers with opportunities in the industry and creating opportunities for partnership between Egyptian and American companies.
The two sides also discussed means of academic cooperation through establishing partnerships and models for twinning with a number of American universities in topics related to data science, information security, electronic design, and others. The ICT Minister pointed out that Egypt is establishing a university in the field of modern technologies to serve industry and that Egypt possesses considerable experience in the field of training calibers on digital technologies. The two sides welcomed the follow-up of the proposed cooperation frameworks and their implementation through the focal points between the two sides.
