On Monday the Egyptian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology launched the Global Entrepreneurship Program, organized in cooperation with the US State Department. The program is part of a US initiative to open up dialog with the Middle East and the Islamic world, as referenced by US President Obama in his keynote speech at Cairo University in June 2009. According to the ministry, Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif will meet the Global Entrepreneurship Program delegation tomorrow at the Cabinet of Ministers. The delegation seeks to to meet with Egyptian innovators, learn about business opportunities, foster partnerships to support entrepreneurship in Egypt, train entrepreneurs, and help with project funding. Minister of Communications Tarek Kamel said that President Obama's 2009 visit to Cairo, his meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, and his call for the establishment of a fund for technology and innovation have given momentum to the creation of universal partnerships in the fields of communications and information technology. Kamel pointed out the significant role of communications and information technology in bolstering the joint economic activity of Egypt and the US. He said that the coming period will see even greater cooperation between the two countries in this area. The minister also said that Egypt has a successful record in the field of outsourcing of technological services, with international companies seeking its assistance in expanding their activities. The US State Department's Senior Advisor for Global Entrepreneurship, Steven Koltai, explained the impetus for the delegation's trip: “Regional investments in economic reform and human and capital infrastructure in Egypt provide a strong foundation for entrepreneurs and investors, both local and international.” He also said that the MENA region is set to become a universal hub for entrepreneurs. Translated from the Arabic Edition.
