Experts recently reaffirmed the importance of CIT as an engine for reform and development across the Arab world. Sherine El-Madany reports Adapting Communications and Information Technologies (CIT) is the best way Arab countries can avoid marginalisation as well as enhance economic growth and promote democracy, concurred guest speakers at the fifth CIT Conference in the Arab world recently held in Cairo. "CIT can help governments become more efficient, business become more competitive, and individuals become more competent," said Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif adding that, "it is in this spirit that our region is actively seeking to use CIT as a catalyst for development and thus, join the global information society." The conference, entitled "CIT: A Catalyst for Positive Change," was organised by Egypt's International Economic Forum and held under the patronage of President Hosni Mubarak. It focussed on the importance of CIT as an engine of economic development for the entire region and provided an arena for international and business experts from 29 countries to exchange viewpoints on the measures required to enhance the region's CIT investment. "The conference is an opportunity to address how the Arab world can embrace, foster, and leverage new developments in technology as well as be an innovator in the sector," said Shafiq Gabr, chairman of the forum. "It will not only update participants on the latest technologies, but it also will provide a forum through which the Arab world can continue to take part in discoveries and further inventions," he added. Gabr listed four main challenges the Arab world should deal with, namely employment, education, and investment. "The region enjoys abundant labour as well as a relatively high percentage of unemployment which reached 15 per cent and continues to rise," he complained, adding, "as for education, it relies on methods of the past and memorisation and lacks innovation and creativity." Gabr then described investment as very poor compared to the region's potential saying that the region has become a net exporter of capital rather than a net importer. "CIT, however, can be a catalyst for positive change. For example, it could offer a window of opportunity for the many undergraduates seeking employment in this lucrative market and therefore, ensure sustainability and success," Gabr said. Aspiring for more development and positive change, different guest speakers dubbed Egypt's efforts to disseminate CIT as "a success story". "Egypt has been witnessing a boom in the telephony market, as fixed phone lines have reached 14.2 per cent or 10 million subscribers, while mobile telephony has reached 15.4 per cent or 11 million subscribers, and we add around half a million subscribers every month" Nazif said. "In addition, Internet density has boomed to reach 6.4 per cent, as we are availing more and more Arabic content," he added. Nazif also said that CIT has changed the way the government operates through the implementation of an e-government initiative that serves as a channel between the government, citizens, and business entities. "Fifty-one services are now available over the government portal, deliverable to citizens' homes or offices; and furthermore, the government Certificate Authority will be available for employees to allow for electronic document circulation," Nazif stated. These online services include the issuance of birth certificates and the renewal of drivers' licenses in Giza as well as other parts of Cairo and will further expand to reach Alexandria and other governorates. By visiting www.misr.gov.eg, users will have access to legal and judicial gateways and will also be able to pay their phone bills and traffic fines online. National universities admission is another popular service that could be carried out online through the password-protected website. Other speakers discussed initiatives and partnerships that aim to accelerate the pace of education and learning in the Arab world. Ahmed Gamaleddin Moussa, minister of education, explained that the ministry has initiated Egypt's smart schools network project which aims at increasing the usage of computers in the learning process. He said that the project would be implemented in 38 different primary schools where teachers have been extensively trained in the usage of CIT tools in education and inside the classroom.
