Minister of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Tarek Kamel inaugurated on 14/5/2008 the second African Communications Ministers' conference on the sidelines of Africa Telecom 2008.

Tarek Kamel said that Egypt was committed to help upgrade the African manpower in the communications and information technology fields.

Upgrading Africa's competitive manpower is a challenge to the continent, said Kamel, recalling Tuesday ceremony on conclusion of a three-week training course offered by the Egyptian National Telecommunications Institute to 24 trainees from 19 African countries.

Minister of Communications Tarek Kamel underscored the importance of the communications and information technology sector, adding that could play an important role in filling the social and economic gap.

Kamel said the ministry is implementing a plan to boost Egyptian information society across the nation.

The plan includes developing a strong communications infrastructure, developing human caders and carrying out more communications and information technology projects, Kamel said at the opening session of a conference on mobile money transfers. The plan is carried out in participation with the private sector, he said.