Egypt’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology Amr Talaat has met with his Iraqi counterpart Arkan Al-Shaibani to discuss aspects of strengthening bilateral cooperation.
The discussions focused on cooperation in the field of information technology (IT), communications, and postal services, especially in the areas of digital transformation.
The meeting reviewed the results of the previous virtual meeting between Egyptian and Iraqi experts, which took place in February. It looked at the capabilities and resources available to each country in the communications and information technology (CIT) sector.
There was also a review of the national challenges and how to transform them into promising cooperation opportunities between the two sides.
Talaat reviewed Egypt’s digital strategy implemented by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology according to three pathways, namely, digital transformation, building digital capabilities, and stimulating digital innovation.
The latter is, itself, based on three pillars, which are: the development of digital infrastructure; the post office; and the provision of the regulatory framework.
He also indicated his ministry’s readiness to implement joint projects to support digital transformation, capacity building, and digital infrastructure development in Iraq.
Talaat noted the need to start actual cooperation between the two countries in the field of communications and capacity-building. This will see Egypt host Iraqi youth to receive training in the ministry’s training institutes and digital innovation centres.
For his part, Al-Shaibani emphasised the strategic relations between Egypt and Iraq, and stressed the interest of Iraq’s political leadership in directing it towards deepening bilateral cooperation relations with Egypt.
He highlighted his keenness to hold the meeting with his Egyptian counterpart, to activate cooperation between the two countries in all fields related to CIT.
Al-Shaibani also expressed his aspiration to cooperate in the field of digital transformation and to benefit from the Egyptian expertise in this field. This will have the added benefit of transferring this experience to Iraq, in light of the country’s endeavour to transform into a digital society.
