Dr. Amr Talaat, Minister of Communications and Information Technology received a high-level delegation of leaders of the Libyan communications and information technology sector headed by Dr. Faisel Ahmed Gergab, Chairman of LPTIC to activate aspects of cooperation between Egypt and Libya in the fields of communications and IT.
This meeting comes after the signing of memorandums of understanding between the two countries, during the Egyptian delegation visit to the Libyan capital Tripoli, in April. The two sides held an extensive meeting headed by Dr. Amr Talaat and Dr. Faisel Ahmed Gergab, and in the presence of several executive members of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and LPTIC to discuss ways to enhance cooperation between the two countries in accordance with the three memoranda of understanding signed between Egypt and Libya.
Two memoranda of understanding were signed with the aim of rebuilding the IT infrastructure in Libya by benefiting from Egyptian international cables and capacity building.Both sides presented their visions on ways to support bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the fields of infrastructure, digital transformation, postal services, capacity building, developing digital skills, and cybersecurity of the Libyan network. Both parties agreed on the need to cooperate to improve the legislative and regulatory structure of the telecommunications sector. At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Amr Talaat, Minister of Communications, and Information Technology stressed the importance of cooperation between Egypt and Libya as both countries neighbor each other and are historically and culturally tied. Furthermore, Dr. Amr Talaat stressed that Egypt supports all efforts made by the Libyan government in achieving peace for the Libyan people. Dr. Amr Talaat agreed to form a joint working team from the two countries to develop a timeline and plan that will see the implementation of interconnection and submarine cables, and digital transformation projects.
The projects will include knowledge transfer from Egypt to Libya. The Egyptian side agreed to allow Libyan youth to attend training courses in Egypt as well as establish training centers in Libyan cities to produce talented IT professionals. It was also agreed to cooperate in the fields of entrepreneurship and supporting innovation, by creating data centers. Dr. Faisel Gergab expressed his aspiration for a fruitful partnership with the Egyptian telecommunications sector; He stressed that Egypt’s participation in Libya’s development is as important as it is essential considering the geographical proximity, shared history, as well as cultural, and social ties between the two countries. The visit currently indicates a clear consolidation of the strength of Egyptian-Libyan relations. The Libyan delegation included all senior members of the telecommunication sector in Libya with the main aim of digital transformation in Libya.
Both parties agreed to implement several projects that will represent a priority for Libya currently and next year and will include benefiting from the Egyptian experience in digital transformation in state institutions and automating government service operations, as it was agreed to establish a joint company that oversees the implementation of digital transformation initiatives. It was also agreed to cooperate in the fields of infrastructure and training, and promoting the Libyan private sector, and encourage partnerships between companies in both countries while providing means for the success of these partnerships. Egypt’s ambassador to Libya, Mr. Tamer Moussa, indicated that there are common denominators that unite Egypt and Libya considering the historical relations that unite the two countries. He praised the role of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in opening prospects for cooperation between Egypt and Libya. Furthermore, he stressed that the Egyptian embassy in Libya will work to coordinate and support cooperation efforts between the two countries in communications and IT.
Attending the meeting on the Egyptian side was Mr. Amr Mahfouz, CEO of the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (Aqtiida), Dr. Heba Saleh, Director of the Information Technology Institute, Dr. Iman Ashour, Director of the National Telecommunication Institute, Mr. Mohamed Nasr, Assistant Minister of Communications and Information Technology for the International Information Infrastructure, and Mr. Abdo Alwan Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Postal Authority for Regional Affairs, Eng. Mohamed Shamroukh, Senior Vice President for Financial and Administrative Affairs at Telecom Egypt, and a number of leaders of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.
On the Libyan side the following attended the meeting; Mr. Al-Sharif Mhamed Hebli, Political Adviser at the Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr./ Magdy Ali Al Shaibani, Chairman of Libyan Academy of Communications and Information Technology, Mr. Atef Al-Ahrash, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al-Bunna Investment and Services Company, and Mr. Abdel Moneim Al-Hajaji, Chairman of Libyana, and Dr. Tariq Ali Al-Shattat, Chairman of the Libya Post Company, and Mr. Abdul Baset Al-Senussi, Chairman of Libya Telecom and Technology, and Mr. Emaar Al-Bouzidi, Chairman of Al-Jeel Al-Jadeed Company, Mr. Abdel-Khaleq Ashour, Chairman of Al-Madar Al-Jadid, and Mr. Muhammad Al-Sadiq Abu Samaha, Director of Investment and Contributions Department at the Libyan Telecom Holding Company, and Mr. Muhammad Abu Habisha, General Manager of Al Bunnia Investment and Services Company, and several managers and directors within LPTICThe Libyan delegation will be in Egypt from the 19th to 22nd June.
During the visit, there will be several executive meetings between the Egyptian and Libyan delegations whereby they will seek to enhance cooperation between both countries.
