The Egyptian government is working diligently to enhance the country's global standing in two pivotal sectors: rehabilitation services and information technology. High-level discussions reveal an underlying strategy to attract foreign investments and bolster local capacities, ultimately aiming to position Egypt as a leading hub for these services.
Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Amr Talaat, recently convened with the Economic Committee of the House of Representatives at the Smart Egypt Creativity Center—Sultan Hussein Kamel—to discuss the ambitious "Digital Egypt for the Rehabilitation Industry 2022-2026" strategy. The overarching goal of this initiative is to increase digital exports, enhance competitiveness in value-added services, and create sustainable job opportunities within the enabling services industry.
During the meeting, Talaat presented insights into the government's support for companies in the rehabilitation sector. He pointed out that, "We seek to make Egypt a global destination for IT and rehabilitation services," a vision bolstered by efforts to improve the digital infrastructure across the country.
One of the key focal points of the strategy is increasing investments and expanding operations in Egypt by local as well as international companies. As Talaat stated, the initiative aims to attract significant investments into the rehabilitation sector by leveraging the country's competitive advantages and skilled workforce.
Moreover, the minister emphasized that there are over 180 local and international firms currently operational in Egypt’s IT sector, with more than 200 specialized centers for exporting digital services—a notable increase from just 64 companies in 2021. This growth represents a remarkable opportunity for job creation and economic development.
On the other hand, Minister Abd El-Aaty, overseeing Egyptian-Azerbaijani relations, highlighted the productive relationship between Egypt and Azerbaijan. He remarked, "The constant improvement in relations between Egypt and Azerbaijan showcases our commitment to strengthening ties," underlining the potential for collaboration between the two nations.
El-Aaty's remarks came amid ongoing discussions about leveraging bilateral relations to aid in expanding trade and investment in Egypt, particularly in sectors aiming to rehabilitate and utilize new technologies. Both ministers anticipate that by fostering these connections, Egypt can significantly more effectively drive investment growth in vital industries.
The discussions also spotlighted the government's strategic plan to provide training for the youth to prepare them for current and future roles within this expanding industry. The emphasis is on enhancing their qualifications in areas pertinent to technology, such as artificial intelligence and data analysis.
Furthermore, Talaat mentioned, "We are focused on incentivizing companies to increase their exports of enabling services to various markets around the world. We aim to expand our presence beyond Cairo, establishing rehabilitation centers in provincial areas that utilize local talent."
This expansion into provincial regions highlights the government’s commitment to integrating wider segments of the workforce into the IT and rehabilitation sectors, ensuring that the benefits of growth are widely distributed across Egypt.
Mostafa Madbouly, Egypt's Prime Minister, has previously directed the formation of specialized advisory committees to bring together the government and specialists in private sector realms. The Economic Committee for Digital Economy serves as a prime example, tasked with providing insight and proposals that support governmental efforts in reforming relevant sectors.
This initiative to form specialized committees underlines the Egyptian government’s desire to engage with experts to enhance reform and enable private-sector contributions to economic policy-making. Such collaboration could set a precedent for future growth in sectors vital for national development.
As Egypt lays the groundwork for future industry growth, the confluence of ambitious policies and strategic international partnerships places the country in a promising position to attract investment and generate employment within the global marketplace.
The sheer volume of initiatives orchestrated reflects a forward-thinking approach: one that embodies Egypt's aspirations not only towards rehabilitation industries but also extends to technology sectors crucial for competitive advantage in an ever-evolving global economy.
