The Minister of Communications and Information Technology Amr Talaat and his Saudi counterpart Abdullah bin Amer Alswaha witnessed, today, the launching of the first Saudi-Egyptian Digital Economy Forum, with the participation of 160 Egyptian and 40 Saudi companies and institutions. Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Egypt Osama bin Ahmed Naqli attended the forum.

The forum aims at providing new partnership opportunities, integrating business between the Egyptian companies and the various business sectors in Saudi Arabia, and promoting investment between the two sides. This will contribute to leveraging ICT in the transition to a digital economy, and implementing the two countries’ strategies to achieve the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.

The forum brings together major Egyptian companies exporting IT services to Saudi Arabia, and promising startups, to boost Saudi venture capital investments and create growth opportunities for the two sides.

During his speech, Talaat emphasized the significance of the forum for promoting digital economy. Several companies participate in the forum which features sessions aiming at providing a common vision for boosting digital economy in the two countries, enhancing avenues of cooperation, and establishing strategic partnerships between Egyptian and Saudi companies. This will empower our societies to achieve digital transformation and leverage ICT in implementing development plans.

The two Ministers witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between “Thiqah”, a Saudi company specialized in smart solutions, business and data services, and “IPG”, an Egyptian telecommunication company. The MoU aims to cooperate in developing smart business solutions for the governmental and private sectors in many areas serving the Egyptian digital economy.

The forum is in the framework of the Saudi Minister’s visit to Egypt, heading a high-level delegation including government officials. The visit aims at enhancing cooperation between the two countries, exchanging experiences, integrating business in relevant fields, and outlining the Egyptian-Saudi agenda for cooperation in digital transformation.

http://www.mcit.gov.eg/Media_Center/Press_Room/Press_Releases/31188