By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
Egypt and India are seeking
to deepen cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity and
digital capacity building, while exploring increased Indian investment in
Egypt’s information and communications technology (ICT) sector.
The discussions took place
during a meeting between Egypt’s Minister of Communications and Information
Technology Raafat Hendy and India’s Ambassador to Egypt Suresh K. Reddy, where
the two sides also examined opportunities to strengthen innovation and entrepreneurship
and expand cooperation in outsourcing and local electronics manufacturing.
The meeting reviewed ongoing
ICT cooperation under memoranda of understanding (MoUs) signed between Egypt
and India covering information technology, cybersecurity, digital capacity
building and the development of skilled professionals in IT and electronics.
Hendy said Egypt–India
cooperation in the ICT sector continues to expand and stressed the importance
of building on the existing partnership, particularly in digital capacity
building and AI.
He highlighted Egypt’s
strategic geographic location as an advantage that positions the country as a
gateway for Indian companies seeking to expand into African and Middle Eastern
markets. He also pointed to Egypt’s pool of highly skilled young professionals
across various technology fields as an opportunity for greater Indian
cooperation and investment in outsourcing and digital service exports.
Reddy, for his part,
expressed interest in encouraging Indian companies to invest in Egypt. He noted
that India is scheduled to host the India Mobile Congress in October and
highlighted the country’s position as the world’s second-largest producer of
mobile phones, alongside its capabilities in modern industries and electronics.
The Indian ambassador also
highlighted India’s investments in public and digital infrastructure, including
the expansion of fibre-optic networks.
The two sides discussed
efforts to strengthen existing cooperation frameworks in line with current
technological priorities and expand partnerships between Egyptian and Indian
institutions in training, digital capacity building, knowledge transfer and the
exchange of expertise.
The meeting also explored
ways to strengthen private-sector cooperation to support entrepreneurship and
innovation and promote the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises.
AI cooperation was another
focus of the discussions, with the two sides examining opportunities in
innovation, research and development, advanced skills development, knowledge
and expertise exchange, and the responsible use of technology.
Egypt and India also
discussed encouraging Egyptian companies and institutions to participate in
specialised international events and exhibitions hosted by India, with the aim
of identifying new opportunities for cooperation and partnerships.
The meeting was attended by
India’s Second Secretary for Commerce Prakash Choudhary, National Telecom
Regulatory Authority (NTRA) Executive President Mohamed Shamroukh, Information
Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) CEO Ahmed Elzaher, Assistant ICT
Minister for Digital Transformation Mahmoud Badawi, Advisor to the ICT Minister
for Technology Talent Development Hoda Baraka, Advisor to the ICT Minister on
International Relations Khaled Taha, and Head of the Central Department of
International Relations Samah Aziz, alongside senior officials from Egypt’s
Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.
