By: Islam Tawfik
In a move aimed at supporting digital transformation and opening new horizons for technological and economic cooperation, the Chamber of Information and Communications Technology Industry (CIT), the sponsor of the digital industry in Egypt, signed a joint cooperation protocol with the Egyptian-Lebanese Businessmen Association (ELBA Egypt). The protocol aims to activate the role of technology in driving economic growth in both countries and developing the digital business environment.
The signing of this protocol comes within the framework of both parties' commitment to exchanging expertise and opening broader avenues for cooperation between member companies. This will contribute to technology transfer and the development of innovative solutions that support digital transformation in various economic sectors, in addition to strengthening the role of technological manufacturing and linking the challenges facing the business community with the digital solutions offered by technology companies. The protocol was signed by Engineer Khaled Ibrahim, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Information and Communications Technology Industry Chamber, and Amr Fattouh, Chairman of the Entrepreneurship and SMEs Committee of the Association, on behalf of Engineer Fathallah Fawzi, Chairman of the Egyptian-Lebanese Businessmen Association.
For his part, Engineer Khaled Ibrahim emphasized that this cooperation represents an important opportunity for technology and digital solutions companies to reach the Egyptian and Lebanese business communities, noting that technology has become the main driver of investment growth in the current phase.
He explained that this step comes within the framework of the Chamber's vision aimed at supporting companies in opening new foreign markets and promoting innovation and entrepreneurship as one of the main pillars of its work, in addition to its role in supporting member companies and building effective communication channels with the business community, government agencies, and scientific institutions at the regional and international levels.
He added that the cooperation protocol includes several key pillars aimed at achieving effective integration between the information technology sector and the investment and commercial sectors, through supporting cooperation in the areas of digital transformation, enhancing the innovation environment, supporting startups and SMEs, and connecting them with large companies. The protocol also focuses on transferring and localizing modern technology within the Lebanese market, supporting investment expansion and opening new markets, especially in regional markets, in addition to exchanging expertise and information between members of both parties. This will be achieved through the formation of a joint committee to monitor implementation and establish a timetable for joint activities in the coming period.
For his part, Engineer Fathallah Fawzi, Chairman of the Egyptian-Lebanese Businessmen Association, expressed his pride in signing this protocol, emphasizing that it represents a fundamental pillar for integrating efforts between the technology sector in Egypt and the Lebanese business community. This will enhance the competitiveness of companies in both countries regionally and internationally.
He explained that developing industry and trade requires the fundamental integration of digital solutions. He pointed out that the protocol will contribute to overcoming obstacles for companies wishing to develop their technological infrastructure. He noted that the next phase will witness the organization of specialized conferences, seminars, and exhibitions in both countries, along with the possibility of establishing joint business councils, committees, and workshops, and promoting the establishment of new companies.
The association affirmed its aim to increase investments between Egypt and Lebanon and enhance cooperation in sectors of shared priority, through organizing bilateral business meetings, domestic and international trade trips, opening new communication channels, promoting members' products, and hosting trade delegations throughout the year.
Amr Fattouh, Head of the Entrepreneurship and SMEs Committee at the Association, affirmed that the protocol represents a practical step towards integrating startups into the digital economy. He pointed out that the cooperation between the two sides includes a number of executive axes, most notably supporting startups through capacity-building programs for entrepreneurs, in coordination with the Information Technology Chamber; organizing exhibitions within industrial cities to showcase the solutions of Egyptian IT companies and their applications in the industrial sector; enabling the Association's members to participate in training and qualification programs organized by the Chamber; joint coordination in the "Digital Homeland" conference to promote the dissemination of a digital transformation culture; providing startups with the opportunity to participate in the Youth Industry and SMEs Conference, which the Committee intends to launch soon; in addition to offering special benefits and discounts to the Association's members in the fields of software and digital solutions.
