The Arab Union for the Digital Economy participated in the International Conference on Digital Economy and Sustainable Development, which was held in Cairo on 3-4 April 2021, with a working paper, in which it reviewed the most important features of the Arab vision for the digital economy, and its indicators that support Arab economies.

The participation of the Arab Union for the Digital Economy in the conference, which was sponsored by the Egyptian Prime Minister, Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, and under the direct supervision of the Egyptian Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Hala Al-Saeed, comes within the framework of the Union’s keenness to support the growth of the digital economy in the region, for the benefit of the The economic and social levels on the Arab peoples.

The conference reviewed many views of international experts, United Nations organizations, and various Egyptian ministries and their experiences in digital transformation, and the impact of this transformation on sustainable development, especially the digital economy.

« Union »: each increase of 1% indicator of the digital economy contributes to GDP growth by more than 2%

In this context, the working paper presented by Eng. Ayman Ghoneim, Director of the Strategic Planning Sector at the Arab Federation for Digital Economy, reviewed the axis of digital government within the Arab vision for the digital economy, especially on the importance of several topics, foremost of which was: Completing the transition to smart government services to become smart and available services for citizens Around the clock and through the Internet, increasing interaction between Arab governments in the areas of defining the digital identity of individuals, establishments and economic assets to facilitate Arab trade exchange, building public and open data content as an engine for economic growth, and enhancing building knowledge, expertise and functional and digital skills for citizens and the role of information and communication technology and distance education and the use of technology to promote telehealth, health security, solidarity and social justice.

The working paper stressed the importance of investing in technology and digital economy tools, as studies have proven that every 1% increase in the digital economy indicator contributes to an increase in GDP by more than 2%, which greatly encourages investment in various areas of the digital economy and shows the impact of technology on doubling returns on Economic development, and the importance of drawing an investment map to enable the private sector and direct it to invest in the field of technology and the digital economy, as well as clarify what are the available spaces and areas that can be invested in, while opening the door for joint investment with the government to provide government services in two ways (BOT / PPP).

The discussion paper in which the union participated was concluded; Emphasizing the need for consensus among Arab governments on a set of complementary standards, especially in the field of (KYC and ID) to facilitate trade and to overcome the decline in the volume of intra-Arab trade, which does not exceed 10%, while we see its European counterpart reaching more than 66%, noting that The opportunities for integrated Arab economic development are great and it is still a virgin land that has not been properly utilized, which can be translated into a real and great development opportunity.