Date: October 31, 2024
Xi’an (China)
The Arab Federation for Digital Economy participated in the Digital Economy Industry Development Forum, which concluded today in Xi’an, China’s first economic capital and one of the most prominent centers of innovation and digital development.
The forum, co-organized by AIM International, aimed to build a shared vision for the future of the global digital economy and enhance cooperation between Arab countries and the People’s Republic of China in the areas of digital innovation and sustainable development.
His Excellency Dr. Ali Mohammed Al Khouri, Advisor to the Council of Arab Economic Unity and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Arab Federation for Digital Economy, delivered the keynote speech at the forum yesterday, titled “Prospects for International Cooperation.” He praised the tremendous technological and economic progress achieved by China in recent years, emphasizing that China’s pioneering experience in developing the digital economy represents a model from which Arab countries can benefit and achieve sustainable economic growth based on digital innovation.
He emphasized that the digital economy has become a fundamental component of the global economy, with its value expected to exceed $23 trillion by 2030, representing more than 20% of global GDP. He noted that the Arab region is on the cusp of a digital revolution, predicting that the digital economy will contribute more than $1 trillion to the region’s GDP over the next decade. However, this requires focusing on vital sectors such as financial technology, e-commerce, digital healthcare, and smart cities. He noted that cooperation with China could be a major driver of this growth.
Al-Khouri explained that the Union is working through the “Arab Vision for the Digital Economy” to support decision-makers in the region, which establishes a comprehensive framework for addressing digital challenges in the areas of infrastructure, digital government, innovation, and human capacity building.
He expected these transformations to contribute to addressing the issue of unemployment and creating more than 5 million job opportunities in the Arab world by 2030.
Discussing digital successes in some Arab countries, he referred to the periodic “Arab Digital Economy Index” report issued by the Union to monitor and evaluate the progress of the digital economy in the region. He noted that the latest results of the report demonstrate remarkable progress in adopting digital practices.
He pointed to the experience of the UAE, which ranks first in the index, and how, through national investments in developing digital infrastructure and logistics services, it was able to increase the volume of foreign trade to AED 3.5 trillion in 2023, compared to AED 1.5 trillion in 2013. This demonstrates the potential of the digital economy to enhance national competitiveness. He emphasized that the opportunities available between Arab countries and China are vast, and that the time has come to further activate these partnerships.
The forum witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Xi’an Municipality and the Arab Federation for Digital Economy. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Dr. Ali Al-Khouri, President of the Federation, and Ming Hao, Vice Mayor of Xi’an. The Memorandum of Understanding aims to establish a structured framework for cooperation in various fields, including participation in reviewing and developing the latest version of the Arab Vision for the Digital Economy for the years 2026-2030. It also aims to cooperate technically on the Arab Digital Education Platform (edu4arab.org) initiatives to support digital education across the Arab region, and the e-commerce platform arabfoodhub.com. It also aims to cooperate on implementing joint projects in smart city technologies and cybersecurity, and to coordinate between the two parties to support small and medium-sized enterprises and enhance the workforce’s skills in digital fields.
His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Al Darmaki, Deputy Secretary-General of the Arab Federation for Digital Economy, delivered a speech in which he emphasized the significant opportunities available for deepening cooperation between the two sides, such as developing e-commerce and smart infrastructure projects, which could contribute to enhancing economic integration between Arab countries and China.
Al Darmaki said that public-private partnerships will contribute to accelerating digital transformation and achieving sustainable development in the Arab region. He added, “We are here to invite Chinese companies to enter Arab markets, and we are fully prepared to support them and facilitate these partnerships to serve everyone’s interests.”
Al Darmaki explained that cooperation with China is a great opportunity to exchange knowledge and expertise and develop innovative digital solutions that meet the needs of the Arab region in various fields, such as education, health, trade, and services.
As part of the forum’s meetings, the Union participated in dialogue sessions, along with several meetings with major companies and officials in China, to discuss opportunities for joint cooperation in the field of digital transformation between China and Arab countries.
Topics were addressed, including the development of smart cities, enhancing cybersecurity, and an agreement to implement pilot projects, including the establishment of smart infrastructure and improved data protection.
Richard Kirby, a former UN expert on digital government and advisor to the Arab Federation for Digital Economy, noted that cooperation between China and Arab countries could set a global model for digital development and smart infrastructure, which we will strive to achieve through supporting sustainable partnerships and cooperation.
Kirby highlighted the importance of enhancing cybersecurity and smart infrastructure, noting that investment in advanced technology will play a significant role in creating a safe and sustainable digital environment that supports innovation and ensures business continuity.
The Mayor of Xi’an praised the significant digital development witnessed by the UAE and emphasized the importance of cooperation with all Arab countries to provide advanced digital services and enhance infrastructure in the region. He noted that cooperation with the UAE and Arab countries represents a unique opportunity to support digital development and contribute to building a strong digital economy that serves all parties.
The Mayor of Xi’an praised the Arab Digital Economy Vision initiative, saying it represents a bridge to the future that will enable Arab countries, through technology, to transform their economies to become more resilient, inclusive, and innovative, with unprecedented potential for sustainable growth.
He added that Xi’an stands ready to provide full support and expertise to strengthen partnerships in the fields of modern technology and digital infrastructure, noting that this cooperation will enhance the region’s ability to keep pace with global developments in this field.
The forum emphasized the importance of this cooperation being the beginning of a series of joint initiatives aimed at developing digital infrastructure and strengthening local economies in both Arab countries and China. It also emphasized the need to develop clear implementation plans to monitor the implementation of the projects and initiatives discussed, ensuring the achievement of shared goals on the ground. They noted that the digital future requires collective effort and close cooperation between governments and the private sector, serving common interests and contributing to building a strong and sustainable global economy.
