Digital economy industry in Egypt accounts for around 4 percent of its GDP, former Communications Minister Atef Helmy said on Sunday. Meanwhile, the digital economy sector's share in gross domestic product (GDP) of the United states, EU, and the UAE amounts to 8 percent, 6 percent, and 5 percent, respectively, Helmy said at a conference in Abu Dhabi. Nowadays, it is key to undergo digital transformation, an engine of growth that leverages Arab countries' key strengths, Helmy added. Three factors are crucial to enhance digital transformation process in the Arab region, the Egyptian ICT expert said. For the first step, he called for dividing the region into three categories to develop each country's digital transformation strategy according to its capabilities. The first category would include the GCC countries, which enjoy a strong ICT infrastructure. The second category would consist of countries with a relatively small population that spurs a digital economic breakthrough such as in Jordan. The third category would constitute countries fraught with internal strife such as Syria, Yemen, and Libya. As for the second factor, Helmy stresses the importance of building a suitable infrastructure to undergo digital transformation process. Key government processes are also important, including modernisation of government IT infrastructure to allow for seamless digital processes, and the establishment of an adequate legal and regulatory framework, the minister said.
