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Monday, March 27, 2000
Governor Gilmore, ladies and gentlemen, I am very pleased to be with you in this inspiring atmosphere. The spirit, which has prompted you to arrange for such a pleasant meeting, is immensely appreciated. It reflects the excellent relationship that exists between our nations. The US is a trusted partner in our search for peace and prosperity. The impact of this partnership extends beyond our borders. It has become a cornerstone of the Middle East process and a model for cooperation among nations in different continents. Peace will certainly boost the chances of stimulating growth and social and economic development. It will create a conductive environment for investment and productivity growth throughout the region. At this major crossroads in human history, the peoples of the Middle East can not be bypassed or marginalized in the quest for progress. They are determined to be integrated in the global economy. In Egypt specifically, we have embarked on an ambitious programme for the assimilation of high technology in our society. Special emphasis is given to information technology. We are aware of the importance of telecommunication networks for promoting investment, stimulating business growth, creating job opportunities and enhancing the quality of life for each and every Egyptian. Egypt is committed to support the creation of a strong high-tech industry that can capitalize on the following resources: First: an ever-growing demand for information in the local and regional markets. As Egypt is the gateway to the Middle East and Africa, that demand is growing at rates, which exceed thirty per cent annually. The private sector, which is seeking to build a strong export-oriented software and services industry, is contributing significantly to the growth of that market. almost three hundred companies are already investing in this field. The government is taking part in this process as well. In short, the entire society has become aware of the need for information technology. second: Egypt is rich in human resources. one hundred and fifty four thousand young men and women graduated from our universities in 1999 alone. These graduates are the most important component of a successful information technology industry. We have started a training program that aims to train five thousand graduates annually, in cooperation with international companies, in order to ensure world-class certification. Furthermore, we are integrating our children into this plan. Training centers and cyber-clubs for children are spreading throughout Egypt. Third: Egypt offers an attractive incentive package in order to encourage investors in high-tech products and services industry. The package includes the exemption from all customs and sales taxes on software and the reduction of sales tax on computers and accessories, together with a five-year corporate tax holiday. We are introducing the concept of ``the smart village`` as a means for developing information technology. The areas designated as such will have state- of- the- art infrastructure and integrated resources to serve the industry. The site for the first smart village is located near the Giza pyramids plateau and other sites will follow. Fourth: the Egyptian government is taking active steps in building and updating our information base. it is cooperating with the private sector in creating national database and information networks and systems. Our aim is to establish an advanced telecommunications network in order to enable the rapid transfer of information within Egypt and abroad, linking Egypt to the rest of the world. In order to facilitate that, we are embarking on developing and upgrading telecom-Egypt. We are also activating the role of telecom regulatory authority in supporting the industry, regulating monopolies, and controlling the quality of services and setting tariffs for local and international telecommunications. Companies are encouraged to establish and operate the required infrastructure and provide value-added services under license from the regulatory authority. This would stimulate the growth of the industry. during the last two decades, remarkable achievements have been attained in building the information infrastructure. Dear friends, The vision behind our ambitious plan is based on the assumption that our friends abroad will be enthusiastic to share with us our dream. Here, the US figures high as a most qualified and trusted partner. In specific, the state of Virginia offers itself as a shining example for the historic transformation in a relatively short period. Under the leadership of its dynamic governor and entrepreneurs, Virginia has been taking gigantic strides in the information technology industry. you have built a model to study and benefit from What we saw and heard this morning was very impressive, inspiring and encouraging. We urge you to be one of our important partners in this endeavor. Our government high-ranking officials and public sector companies top executive would be happy to provide you with any additional information. I invite Governor Gilman to lead an information technology delegation to visit Egypt soon in order to pursue our discussion and examine the situation on the spot. In this way, you will be contributing directly to cementing US-Egyptian friendship. The quest for new technologies is never-ending. The road to progress is long and difficult. But we are lucky. we have the resources, we have the will, and the friends for our entry. Thank you. |
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