CAIRO - The Minister of Communications and Information Technology Yasser ElKady has witnessed the signing ceremony of three cooperation agreements between the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), and the Egyptian Information, Telecommunications, Electronics, and Software Alliance (EITESAL), the Digital Economy and Technology General Division and the Chamber of Information and Communication Technology Industry (CIT).

 

According to the Ministry, the agreements are within ITIDA role to support and develop the IT industry through developing various programs and activities, including supporting and developing Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and ICT local companies.

 

In this context, a program was developed to support CSOs operating in the sector for a period of three years ending 30 June 2020, with a total value of 45 million pounds for the three organizations; the agreement will be renewed annually, in accordance with the decision of ITIDA Board of Directors.

 

The three agreements were signed by ITIDA Acting CEO Maha Rashad, and the Chairman of Digital Economy and Technology General Division Khalil Hassan Khalil, CIT Chairman Waleed Gad and EITESAL Chairman Hazem El-Tahawy.

 

During the meeting, ElKady underscored the significance of integrating governmental efforts with those of CSOs to achieve sustainable comprehensive development. He referred to the significant role of CSOs operating in the ICT sector in raising awareness of community and implementing the national initiatives aimed at providing and implanting technology in many social and economic sectors in the country.

 

He stated that these agreements emphasize MCIT keenness for the development of CSOs operating in the sector and building their human and technical capabilities, being one of the main pillars of the sector. This will reflect positively on developing the IT industry, enhancing the productivity of the ICT companies, and raising their competitiveness to keep abreast of the tremendous developments in the IT industry.

 

For her part, Rashad ascertained that the signing of cooperation agreements with CSOs is the culmination of the intensive efforts and the continuous and constructive dialogue between ITIDA and all parties concerned with the development of the sector, within a strategic partnership that contributes to the development of the sector. She stated that ITIDA seeks, through these agreements, to achieve its objectives and strategies, which rely basically on the integration of roles and cooperation between public and private sectors, thus requires the support of civil entities to identify closely the needs of industry and design creative programs and initiatives that primarily aim at meeting these needs and serving these organizations’ member companies.

 

The joint cooperation between ITIDA and the three organizations is carried out in accordance with the civil society support mechanisms directory to implement activities that support the capacities and competencies of the Egyptian non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) operating in the IT sector. It also aims to support human capacities and training, promote international activities and trade missions, support studies and consultations, develop local demands, raise the efficiency of Egyptian companies, enhance innovation and entrepreneurship as well as the activities of the organizations’ sustainability.