Dubai

The Arab Federation for the Digital Economy, a member of the Executive Office of the Forum of Specialized Arab Federations at the League of Arab States, participated in the meeting No. (53) of the Permanent Committee for Communications and Information Systems, which was held at the Kempinski Hotel The Boulevard in the Emirate of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, during the period from July 22-23, 2024, organized by From the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States, and the General Authority for Regulating the Telecommunications Sector and Digital Government in the United Arab Emirates.

The meeting was attended by representatives from Arab countries, the Arab Council of Ministers for Communications and Information, and a number of agencies and organizations. His Excellency Eng. Mohammed Al-Ramsi, Deputy Director General of the Communications Sector of the Authority, opened with a speech in which he stressed the importance of Arab cooperation to enhance the digital infrastructure, bridge the digital gap in the Arab world, and reach a digitally integrated Arab society.

The recommendations issued by the Standing Committee – with regard to the Arab Federation for the Digital Economy – included welcoming its efforts and appreciating its latest report on the Arab Digital Economy Index 2024, while recommending that it be circulated to the relevant authorities. The recommendations also emphasized the importance of developing digital infrastructure and called on the Union to cooperate in this regard in its fields of specialization. The recommendations also included strengthening cooperation in technological innovation incubators, with a focus on artificial intelligence, and supporting initiatives in the Arabic language.

In addition, emphasis was placed on strengthening Arab cybersecurity through studies and recommendations issued by specialized Arab organizations. The recommendations were also supported by the Arab Platform for Education and Training, which is a joint initiative with the Association of Arab Universities and the Arab Organization for Administrative Development.

Finally, the recommendations concluded by encouraging investment in digital technologies and activating the decision to establish a fund for investment in technology and the digital economy issued by the Arab Development Summit in 2019.

It is worth noting that the Permanent Arab Committee for Communications and Information emerges from the Council of Arab Ministers for Communications and Information, which represents the supreme executive body for the development of the Arab communications and information technology community, and is one of the specialized ministerial councils that operates under the umbrella of the Council of the League of Arab States. The committee holds its meetings twice a year before… Ministerial Council and Executive Office meetings.

Cairo

Source: Al-Wafd newspaper

Dr. Ali Mohamed Al-Khouri

The ongoing energy crisis in Egypt has become an embarrassing issue and poses major economic, social and environmental challenges. Despite the efforts made by the government to address the crisis, the recurring outages of electricity and energy distribution are still affecting Egypt, exposing its economy to major losses and undermining community confidence.
The direct economic impact of the power outage is evident in the disruption of industrial activities, in light of the factories facing halted production lines, especially those in sectors such as food and medicine that rely heavily on refrigeration. This stoppage exposes factories to significant revenue losses, damage to goods, and deterioration in product quality. This situation is exacerbated by the need for commercial sectors to use expensive diesel generators, the effects of which not only increase operational costs, but also contribute to environmental pollution. In addition to all of this, the transportation sector also suffers from disruption of fuel supplies due to its impact on power outages, which in turn negatively affects the trade and tourism sectors, and costs the overall economy billions of dollars annually.

In its indirect form, the energy crisis has begun to contribute to eroding investor confidence and hindering foreign investment, which are two elements that fuel economic growth. The successive effects of this crisis include high unemployment rates, a decline in the level of public services, and a decline in economic growth. For example, prolonged power outages have had severe impacts on the healthcare sector, with reports indicating that hospitals are struggling to operate essential equipment during power outages, and are more vulnerable to critical and worrying disruptions to patient care.

The Egyptian government has implemented short- and long-term strategies to mitigate the crisis. These short-term strategies included increasing fuel imports and enhancing the efficiency of energy distribution networks, allocating $1.18 billion to import natural gas and diesel for power stations during the summer of 2024, in addition to launching awareness campaigns to conserve energy during peak periods. This also included imposing higher tariffs on excessive energy consumption to encourage energy conservation.

As for long-term strategies, they aim to ensure energy sustainability through diversification of energy sources, which is evident from the government’s commitment to increasing the share of renewable energy in its energy mix. This is evident in the investments directed in clean energy projects such as the Benban Solar Energy Complex, which is one of the largest projects in the world. In addition, the development of wind farms and investments in green hydrogen technology confirm the country’s systematic commitment to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and benefit from natural resources. According to national plans, Egypt aims to generate 42% of its energy from renewable sources by 2035.

Despite all the efforts made, there are still challenges that need to be addressed. Reliance on gas imports has proven to be a major challenge, as evidenced by declining supplies due to regional tensions and increased demand. This decline in supply contributed to recurring power outages in 2023 and 2024, as power plants faced a shortage of fuel needed to operate turbines, which reduced electricity production and increased pressure on the grid.

In addition, the government’s decision to export natural gas to generate foreign currency, in light of the domestic shortage, created an unstable balance between domestic consumption needs and export obligations. This situation has become more complicated with the growing geopolitical tensions and the impact of climate change, causing severe heat waves and increasing demand for electricity for cooling purposes.

And the rest of the conversation

Abu Dhabi

Source: Mufakiru Alemarat

Dr. Ali Mohamed Al Khouri

In the context of a competitive and dynamic global economy, Arab-African economic integration stands out as a potential opportunity and a viable area for innovative and strategic exploration. Although this integration promises diversified and sustainable growth for both the Arab region and the African continent, and the reorganization and development of prevailing economic relations and structures; Reaching this goal requires a precise strategic approach to take advantage of the full opportunities.

The Arab region stands at a crossroads. Economic diversification is not an option, but rather an inevitable necessity. This is because the economic path of this region, which is facing a period of economic recalibration, is expected to record growth rates of about 3.3 percent this year (2024), compared to 5.8 percent in 2022, according to the Arab Monetary Fund. Such indicators confirm the need for economic diversification beyond traditional dependence on the oil and gas sectors – which are expected to shrink and their prices to decline in the coming years – and keep pace with the global shift to innovative and sustainable economic sectors, in line with renewable energy and sustainability trends.

At the heart of this discussion is Africa’s untapped potential; This continent – with its great resources and emerging markets – represents an undiscovered area for economic growth, despite its significant contribution to global exports of basic metals. Statistics show that the average annual growth of renewable investments in Africa, since 2000, has reached about 96 percent, while the continent receives only approximately 2 percent of global investments in this field. This large gap indicates a space full of opportunities for Arab countries to exploit the vast capabilities in the renewable energy sector on the continent, especially wind, solar and hydropower. However, the success of these endeavors depends on the level of awareness of investment opportunities in these areas and effective planning strategies.

Naturally, achieving the potential of Arab-African economic integration is not without challenges, the most prominent of which is the significantly high costs of intra-regional trade in the Arab region, compared to their counterparts in more economically integrated regions, such as the European Union. This situation calls for making serious efforts to improve economic integration in the Arab region, emphasizing the activation of cooperation between regional institutions, and more effective implementation of multilateral agreements.

As for Africa; The way forward involves strengthening the continent’s capacity to deal with global economic shocks, overcome internal conflicts, and improve risk management. This must be paralleled with the implementation of resilience strategies for resource mobilization and equitable green growth, smart industrial strategies, strengthening tax systems, diversifying financial instruments, and reforming financial structures.

To achieve meaningful Arab-African economic integration, several strategic directions must be followed. A critical area for both regions is to benefit from digital transformation and technological advancement. The integration of digital technologies into trade and finance is not only a general trend; It is an essential component of modern economies. In Africa in particular, digital skills and the adoption of technologies – such as automation, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and blockchain – may enhance the transformation and digitization of production, distribution, logistics and procurement processes.

There is no doubt that this transformation contributes to improving operational efficiency on the one hand, and meeting the financing needs of companies on the other hand. This is by enabling and verifying real-time transactions; This means reducing the need for physical audits. For example, the adoption of digital technologies in African supply chain financing has led to the value of the financing market rising by 40 percent to $41 billion in 2021 and 2022. This highlights the potential of digitalization to open new economic horizons, in particular improving access to financial resources for SMEs, which often represent the backbone of emerging economies.

There are other sectors ready to embrace innovation, namely the sustainability sector, and high-tech sectors with great growth potential, such as renewable energy, healthcare, and advanced technology, which are not well explored in intra-African trade. The Arab region can play a decisive role in this context, not only as an investor, but also as a strategic partner in transferring technology and knowledge, developing the workforce, and enhancing the environment for innovation and entrepreneurship as well.

Policy reform and empowering institutional organization are also of great importance. Establishing sound policies to promote an enabling environment for business and investment is undoubtedly pivotal, and this includes strengthening intellectual property rights, legal frameworks, and political stability, as they are essential elements for attracting foreign investment and promoting economic growth.

In addition, integration between trade and investment policies is essential for promoting trade, growth, social well-being, and consolidating the principles of solidarity and common interest. The Arab region can benefit from international frameworks, such as those provided by the Islamic Development Bank Group, to enhance economic integration, in addition to accelerating the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to raise the level of cooperation and integration between African countries. This provides a path to building more resilient and diversified economies.

There is no doubt that Arab-African economic integration represents a unique opportunity to create a new model of economic cooperation, and paves the way to economic diversification, technological progress, and sustainable development. Such partnerships can set new standards for regional and international cooperation, and bring about positive change in the balance of global economic power that ensures inclusiveness, fairness, competitiveness, and new horizons for cross-border innovation and cooperation. Achieving this vision requires a commitment to long-term strategic cooperation, which has gone beyond being a purely economic necessity and has become a strategic necessity to play a more important role in the global economy.

Cairo

Source: Al-Wafd newspaper

Dr. Ali Mohamed Al-Khouri

The pharmaceutical industry in Egypt is one of the main pillars of the national economy, as this industry has witnessed remarkable developments in recent years. According to recent reports, the number of pharmaceutical factories in Egypt reached 170 factories in 2023 compared to 130 factories in 2015, an increase of 30.8%. The number of production lines also increased from 500 lines in 2015 to 700 lines in 2022, an increase of 40%.

The size of the pharmaceutical market also increased from 62 billion pounds in 2015 to 149 billion pounds in 2022. With regard to global ranking, Egypt’s ranking improved from 47th place in 2015 to 29th place in 2023, which reflects the scale of development in this vital industry. .

Despite these achievements, the Egyptian pharmaceutical industry faces major challenges, most notably intense competition from foreign companies that occupy a large share of the local market, in addition to weak infrastructure and a lack of investments in the areas of research and development. For example, investment in research and development in Egypt still represents a small percentage of 0.7% of GDP, which hinders innovation and progress in this vital sector.

However, the Egyptian government seeks to improve this situation through several national initiatives. Among these efforts are increasing investments in the pharmaceutical industry infrastructure, establishing new industrial complexes, and modernizing equipment and laboratories. In addition, there is an increasing focus on research and development, with the government providing incentives and financial support to research institutions to develop new medicines and improve the quality of existing medicines.

To enhance the efforts of policy makers, several development paths can be considered, including the following points. First, the government and local companies should strengthen partnerships with international universities and research centers to exchange knowledge and expertise, through researcher exchange programs and joint research projects. This cooperation can contribute to accelerating the pace of innovation and improving the quality of medicines.

Secondly, a study on adopting an “Industry 4.0” strategy in pharmaceutical manufacturing, which relies on artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and big data to improve production efficiency and reduce costs. Applying these technologies can make the pharmaceutical industry more flexible and responsive to changing market needs.

Third, studying the establishment of a specialized investment fund to support emerging companies in the field of biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. This fund can provide the necessary financing to develop new ideas and turn them into successful commercial products.

Finally, it is necessary to establish a culture of entrepreneurship in the health sector through training programs and workshops targeting young people and professionals in this field. Promoting entrepreneurship can create an environment conducive to innovation and contribute to the emergence of new companies that lead the transformation of the pharmaceutical industry.

These recommendations may be out-of-the-box ideas, but they open new horizons and promising opportunities that could put Egypt at the forefront of countries in manufacturing and exporting medicines, and open new horizons for economic development.

Abu Dhabi

Source: Mufakiru Alemarat

Dr. Ali Mohamed Al Khouri

In an era in which information has become as much a vital currency as it is a critical commodity, the global economy finds itself under the weight of an ever-evolving threat: the rampant spread of misinformation and disinformation. What distinguishes the two concepts is that the first symbolizes the unintentional spread of false information. The second refers to the intentional publication of it. This case highlights the challenges facing institutional and governmental systems in protecting the stability of their economies and the sustainability of their businesses.

With the decline of traditional media in favor of digital platforms and social media, which collect, distribute, and control large amounts of visual, audio, and written data, false and misleading information has risen to the rank of major global risks. According to the Global Risks Report 2024, issued by the World Economic Forum; This is due to the potential for it to be used as a tool to shape public opinion, influence public policies, and even manipulate election results or economic markets.

It is noteworthy that the term “fake news” has evolved in recent years. To become a cultural and political symbol, especially following the US presidential election in 2016, and the ensuing debates regarding the potential effects of biased and inaccurate information on democracy and societies. According to a study conducted by the cybersecurity company (CHEQ); Spending on inaccurate news in political races amounts to more than $400 million annually.

It should be noted that this year will witness elections being held in countries that represent 60 percent of the global gross domestic product, and these countries include Britain, the United States of America, and India, in addition to the European Union elections. According to the World Economic Forum; Misinformation is expected to play a prominent role in fueling social unrest and divisions during election campaigns.

In terms of direct economic impacts, this phenomenon will have serious and far-reaching repercussions. According to the Global Disinformation Index for 2021; The annual cost of misinformation to global markets is billions of dollars; Given its potential to influence investor behavior and corporate strategies, in addition to undermining investor confidence and tarnishing the reputation of institutions; When “fabricated” data is injected into financial market systems, which originally depend on prediction and integrity of information, the resulting fluctuations in investors’ decisions increase; It becomes difficult to distinguish between the truth and what is not. A study prepared by the University of Baltimore in 2019 indicated that the global economic losses resulting from the spread of fake news and misleading information amount to about 78 billion dollars. This includes operational costs that force organizations to spend more to manage information; And verify it.

Aside from direct fluctuations in market dynamics, the report issued by the Edelman Trust Index in 2024 reveals that although confidence in local media institutions in countries of the Asia-Pacific region is higher compared to Western countries; They are still weak overall, especially those related to economic policies and decisions. The report also notes the dual role of technology in facilitating the spread of misinformation, especially in light of the emerging capabilities of artificial intelligence to generate false and convincing content.

Addressing these challenges requires precise, multifaceted strategies that include regulation, education, and technology in its simplest forms. Regulatory frameworks, especially in the context of artificial intelligence and digital platforms, must ensure ethical uses, enforce accountability in content moderation, and encourage transparency in the dissemination of information. For example, the European Union Digital Services Law represents a unified framework for regulating digital platforms. With the aim of reducing the spread of misleading information that may negatively affect public debate and lead to distortion of facts; The law also encourages digital companies to develop policies and tools to counter misleading information and maintain a safe and reliable digital environment.

On the other hand, media culture among members of society is a pivotal element for developing capabilities and skills in critically evaluating information sources, distinguishing between reliable and misleading content, and conscious consumption of content that is received or transmitted in the media and social media networks. There has become an international trend to provide online training courses, workshops in schools and universities, and other educational materials, in addition to developing digital platforms for objective analysis of ambiguous information and news, verifying circulating information and rumors, and assessing their credibility.

Investing in technology solutions is crucial, as they are vital tools for identifying biased and false narratives and reducing their spread. Advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies have the ability to analyze texts and social media, detect, report, and respond to misinformation and disinformation campaigns with up to 95 percent accuracy, which confirms the feasibility of investing in such technologies on a national scale.

The nature of digital information, which reflects the new global reality of the flow of information across national borders with unprecedented smoothness and fluidity, makes it no longer possible for any country alone to effectively confront the challenges related to false and misleading information without cooperation with other countries. This cooperation is necessary to develop and standardize common standards for monitoring, analysis and response; But these efforts may be hampered by differences in international laws and regulations, political disagreements, and concerns about privacy and sovereignty. Here, international agreements can set standards and guidelines for responsible behavior in cyberspace, as well as the possibility of activating the role of Arab and international federations, technology companies, government institutions, and civil society organizations to develop standards and decentralized platforms for monitoring and accountability, aiming to combat the global spread of misleading information.

What we must finally realize is that this phenomenon is no longer just a battle for the truth; Rather, it has become an essential component of ensuring market stability and confidence in the economic systems that form the basis of global progress. In the complex arenas of information maneuvers, it requires more than vigilance and education, or monitoring and analysis. This issue must be dealt with as a central issue in national and global policies, a moral duty, and a vital building block for ensuring economic and social security in the digital age.

Abu Dhabi

Source: Mufakiru Alemarat

Dr. Ali Mohamed Al Khouri

In an era characterized by increasing globalization and the need for economic integration, the possibilities of establishing an Arab-African economic partnership are considered a strategic necessity. Achieving economic integration between Arab countries and Africa requires the establishment of a common market that guarantees freedom of trade in goods, exchange of services, and the flow of capital. This, in turn, requires a realistic and progressive strategy to achieve this goal, and explore trade and investment opportunities in areas of cooperation and mutual benefit. Arab countries can benefit from their geographical, cultural, and political proximity to non-Arab African countries. To support integration; Achieving more stable levels of growth, especially since the historical heritage among the Arabs gives both parties a preferential advantage compared to other global regions.

Integration prospects

Africa is one of the largest regions in the world that attracts foreign investments, with annual investment growth of about 11 percent in the past ten years. Arab countries must benefit from the current global situation and cooperate with African countries to draw a road map for integration in many economic fields. To achieve sustainable growth in the two regions. While Arab countries seek to diversify their investment markets; The African Continental Agreement requires investment and financing to achieve its desired goals. This can be achieved as Arab investments move towards diversifying financial portfolios, especially in sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, technology, the port development sector, and transportation.

The implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement will also create an integrated African market with steady growth in demand; With the continental move towards greater integration; This will provide Arab countries with greater opportunities to increase non-oil exports to African markets.

The future of intra-regional trade

Based on the above, it can be said that opportunities are available for the growth of intra-Arab-African trade, especially if both parties benefit from current bilateral trade relations. To be a starting point for expanding economic relations in the future; African exports to Arab countries have reached stable growth rates over the past decade, at 8 percent annually. On the other hand, Arab exports to African countries have witnessed volatile growth rates in the past decades. However, it was distinguished by its diversity compared to other Arab exports to the rest of the world.

Gulf investments in Africa

The Gulf Cooperation Council countries have investment bases in Africa, valued at approximately $101.9 billion, in 628 projects, in the last ten years between 2012 and 2022. The United Arab Emirates is among the largest investors in Africa. The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development has invested about $16.6 billion in 66 projects in 28 African countries. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia decided to shift investment to Africa. Announcing an investment worth $40 billion to develop partnerships with African countries; Enhancing trade and achieving integration with Africa.

Expectations of growth in trade volume

African exports to Arab countries can be increased; If African countries are able to diversify, they can achieve this by increasing exports to the Arab region and maintaining the high growth rates they witnessed in the past decade. This will pave the way for Arab countries to receive African exports, especially agricultural and food products, a sector that represents strategic importance for maintaining food security in the region. Increasing exports of non-oil and mineral products from the continent will increase economic growth rates. Therefore, the close relationship between the two regions can be strengthened to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results.

Arab exports to Africa can also be increased by determining the type of exports that are most in demand. This will help reduce Arab countries’ dependence on energy and mineral exports, move towards greater diversification, expand their export base, reduce the risks of external shocks, and enhance economic stability.

Obstacles to implementing integration

Despite the opportunities available in the African market, which are an incentive for Arab entrepreneurs to increase their investments in it; Some obstacles stand in the way of these investment expansions. African countries still need to implement a number of policies and procedures that support attracting new investments, including strengthening legislative and legal frameworks to regulate basic economic sectors, developing the infrastructure necessary for business growth, confronting bureaucracy, and creating clear business structures that guarantee the provision of economic foundations and the necessary infrastructure for projects. new developments in these countries, attracting more foreign investments.

Call to decision makers

To achieve the greatest benefit from the available opportunities and reach trade integration, decision makers should integrate the major Arab free trade agreements and continental free trade in Africa. In order to create a comprehensive free trade agreement, linking Arab and African countries, and supporting access to markets in the two regions, these agreements must focus on facilitating the movement of trade, removing barriers and non-tariff measures, increasing transparency, and improving coordination regarding non-tariff administrative procedures and requirements, And adjusting high non-customs duties. Solutions to trade obstacles on the continent must also be discussed, such as the challenges of banking systems, shipping lines, direct aviation, mechanisms for increasing investments and production capacity, and exploring export opportunities available in the two regions.

 

Cairo

Source: Al-Wafd newspaper

Dr. Ali Mohamed Al-Khouri

The chip industry has become of great importance in the global economy, driven by increasing demand for consumer electronic devices, the expansion of artificial intelligence applications, and the increasing adoption of electric vehicles. The chip market is expected to reach more than $1 trillion by 2030, with a growth rate of 8%.

Egypt is moving to benefit from this sector to diversify the national economy and increase its competitiveness on the international scene, but it faces many complex challenges. In light of the fierce global competition, this industry requires huge investments and advanced infrastructure, which puts Egypt before a real test to gain a foothold in the production of advanced industries.

The cost of establishing a factory to produce electronic chips is one of the biggest obstacles to Egypt’s entry into this field. According to global estimates, the cost of building a modern factory may reach about 10 billion dollars, a number that far exceeds what the Egyptian economy can bear at the current stage. In addition, research and development in this field requires huge investments. For example, major companies such as Intel and Samsung spend more than 20% of their annual revenues on research and development, which reflects the importance of these investments to ensure survival. In the foreground.

Lack of local expertise is another challenge. The manufacture of electronic chips requires high skills and specialized expertise that are difficult to find in the local market. Egypt needs to attract international talent and develop a local base of trained engineers and scientists, but Egypt can benefit from the experiences of other countries and focus on building partnerships with international educational institutions to train and qualify their cadres.

Global competition in this field is merciless. Developed countries such as the United States, China and South Korea dominate the chip industry and enjoy enormous competitive advantages that include advanced infrastructure and strong government support. According to a McKinsey report, China alone has invested more than $150 billion in this sector over the past decade, which illustrates the scale of the challenge facing Egypt.

On the other hand, Egyptian infrastructure needs major improvements to be able to support the chip industry. This industry requires a stable supply of energy and water, and a strong communications network. According to a World Bank report, Egypt needs investments of more than $675 billion to improve its infrastructure over the next decade, which represents a major challenge, but also an opportunity to improve the economy in general.

Other factors such as political and economic stability play a decisive role in Egypt’s success in this field. Political stability encourages foreign and domestic investment, while high inflation rates and complex bureaucracy discourage progress. Therefore, Egypt needs effective economic policies to enhance stability and attract investments.

But despite all this, Egypt has some unique advantages that can help it succeed. The large domestic market, the strategic location linking Africa, the Middle East and Europe, and the abundance of natural resources such as white sand, are all factors that can contribute to the development of the electronic chip industry.

In general, to achieve real and tangible progress, decision makers must adopt integrated strategies that combine investment in infrastructure, developing local competencies, and improving the business environment. This should also be paralleled by a focus on creating an enabling environment for innovation and entrepreneurship, and providing incentives to companies that invest in research and development. The strong commitment from the government, civil society, and the private sector are all enabling factors that will contribute to overcoming the challenges ahead, achieving the desired goals, and opening new horizons for benefiting and excelling in this growing global sector.

Cairo – El Alamein

The Arab Federation for the Digital Economy participated in the first meeting of the General Assembly of Arab organizations and federations participating in the “Arab Incubator for Artificial Intelligence Projects” project, generously hosted by the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport in Alexandria, in the presence of:

1- His Excellency Dr. Ismail Abdel Ghaffar – President of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport
2- His Excellency Dr. Abdel Majeed Bin Amara – Secretary General of the Union of Arab Scientific Research Councils
3- His Excellency Eng. Mohammed bin Omar, Director General of the Arab Organization for Communication and Information Technologies
4- His Excellency Dr. Firas Bakour, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Arab Union for Internet and Communications
5- His Excellency Ambassador Mohamed Khair Abdel Qader – Secretary-General of the Arab Union for the Digital Economy.

The meeting came as a first step towards enhancing the artificial intelligence scene in the Arab world, and represents a fruitful beginning for the efforts made to establish the Arab Incubator Project for Artificial Intelligence, and what it represents as a pioneering model for cooperation and integration between organizations and institutions of joint Arab action with its multiple wings from the academic and research sector, the governmental sector, the private sector, and below. The umbrella of the League of Arab States.

During the meeting, the main objectives of the project and the role of the incubator in supporting and promoting innovation in the field of artificial intelligence were discussed by preparing the necessary ground to open horizons and enhance hope for Arab youth for development, innovation and creativity in the countries of the Arab region. The importance of relying on the expertise and experiences of the founding members as well as building Strategic partnerships and exchange of knowledge and expertise to support sector growth and enhance artificial intelligence applications in various fields.

After deliberations and in accordance with what was stipulated in the project’s founding agreement, the members unanimously took the following decisions:

First: – Election of His Excellency Professor Dr. Ismail Abdel Ghaffar as President of the General Assembly of Founders.

Second: Election of His Excellency Dr. Firas Bakour as co-chairman of the Board of Trustees.

Third: Election of His Excellency Engineer Mohammed bin Omar as co-chairman of the Board of Trustees.

Fourth: Nominating His Excellency Dr. Abdel Majeed Bin Amara as Chairman of the Scientific Committee.

Fifth: Nominating His Excellency Ambassador Mohamed Khair Abdel Qader as Chairman of the Organizational and Administrative Committee.

Sixth: Forming a specialized technical committee headed by His Excellency Dr. Firas Bakour and membership of His Excellency Ambassador Muhammad Khair Abdel Qader, His Excellency Dr. Mustafa Rashid, Assistant President of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, and His Excellency Counselor Abdel Salam Hamdy, the Academy’s Legal Advisor, and its mission will be the following:

1- Developing the internal regulations and administrative and organizational structure of the incubator.

2- Proposing members to be included in the incubator’s Board of Trustees, whose presence could add value to the project.
3- Proposing executive steps to activate the incubator’s work and submitting recommendations and proposals regarding them to the General Assembly to discuss them and take what it deems appropriate in this regard.

At the conclusion of the meeting, His Excellency Professor Dr. Ismail Abdel Ghaffar thanked the attendees for their trust and efforts and expressed the Academy’s readiness to put all its expertise and capabilities in the service of this important project.

Cairo

Source: Al-Wafd newspaper

Dr. Ali Mohamed Al-Khouri

Egypt is one of the richest countries in the world in ancient monuments, as it contains more than 100 pyramids and thousands of archaeological sites and historical objects. These antiquities are a tremendous cultural and historical wealth that can be greatly benefited from to develop tourism and increase national income. According to 2023 data, the number of tourists reached 14.9 million, and revenues reached $15 billion, the highest percentage since 2010.

The Egyptian government aims to attract 30 million tourists over the next five years, which is an ambitious goal but achievable if the plans are implemented effectively. Achieving this goal undoubtedly requires huge investments in tourism infrastructure, improving the quality of services provided, and increasing the promotion of archaeological tourism at the international level. It is estimated that tourism could contribute about 11.4% of Egypt’s GDP, making it one of the most important sectors of the Egyptian economy.

Because archaeological tourism has an impact on the national economy, it is important for the Egyptian government to focus on several main axes. First, modernizing and developing tourism infrastructure in Egypt is an urgent necessity. Transport networks linking archaeological sites and major cities must be effective and integrated. Investments in building and modernizing hotels, restaurants, and tourist facilities will contribute to raising the level of services provided and improving the tourists’ experience. For example, developing a network of railways and highways can facilitate the movement of tourists between different archaeological sites, and support Egypt’s attractiveness as a distinct tourist destination.

Promoting archaeological tourism is an essential part of these efforts, which requires the use of modern and effective promotional means. Social media can play a pivotal role in this context, through carefully targeted promotional and advertising campaigns. Tourism events and exhibitions can also be organized at the international level to attract tourists from all over the world. There must be joint efforts between the public and private sectors to achieve this goal, including cooperation in creating multilingual media materials that highlight the history and importance of these monuments.

It is also important to link archaeological tourism with other types of tourism such as beach tourism and safari tourism. Organizing cultural and artistic events at archaeological sites can attract new categories of tourists and enhance the tourism experience in general. Establishing interactive museums and entertainment centers can contribute to attracting families and children, increasing the number of visitors and enhancing the tourism economy. This includes holding annual festivals that embrace traditional and contemporary arts in archaeological sites to attract the world’s attention to this unique heritage.

Moreover, long-term plans must be made for the development and maintenance of monuments. This requires providing the necessary funding for restoration, enacting strict laws to protect antiquities from theft and vandalism, and raising the level of awareness of the importance of antiquities among the local community.

Policy makers in Egypt must realize that Egyptian antiquities are not just a source of national income, but are also an essential part of national identity and cultural heritage. Preserving these monuments and developing archaeological tourism must be part of the comprehensive national strategy for sustainable development, to achieve economic prosperity and improve the quality of life for citizens. Adopting integrated approaches, focusing on providing a safe and attractive tourism environment, and intensifying promotional efforts are all supportive factors to ensure the sustainability of the tourism sector’s growth.

Ammaan Jordan

The Arab Federation for the Digital Economy opened the activities of the Arab Digital Entrepreneurship Map Conference and Exhibition in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, which it organized in cooperation with Interviable Company in the capital, Amman, in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and which is held under the auspices of the League of Arab States, during the period from June 23-25, 2024. The Federation participated with a delegation. A high-level meeting headed by Ambassador Mohamed Khair Abdel Qader, Secretary-General of the Union, and representatives of the Union, with the participation of a large group of private sector institutions in Arab countries specialized in the technical, financial, and digital infrastructure services.

For its part, the Arab Federation for the Digital Economy, through Ambassador Mohamed Khair Abdel Qader, Secretary-General of the Federation, gave a keynote speech at the opening session of the conference in which he highlighted the centrality of entrepreneurship in developing economic systems, and that the Arab region needs an integrated incubator environment to enable entrepreneurship to flourish and achieve success. The desired results and achieving the required economic development.

Ambassador Muhammad Khair also stressed that to succeed in promoting a culture and environment supportive of entrepreneurship, Arab countries must have regulatory frameworks that include clear and effective regulations to facilitate business formation and operation, including simplified procedures for starting a business, stimulating tax policies, and intellectual property protection. He also pointed out the importance of providing diverse access to financing, such as venture capital and government investors, noting that in 2020, the United States provided capital investments amounting to approximately $156.2 billion to support entrepreneurship, which reflects the importance of financial support in sustaining and innovating this sector. sector.

The three-day conference included specialized courses and workshops with funds and investment institutions from the United States of America that specialize in the Middle East and North Africa region, and investors and entrepreneurs from different countries participated in it. The workshops also included areas of expanding the Arab digital entrepreneurship map, and various fields of entrepreneurship.