Entrepreneurs and startups that are based on innovation are the future of Egypt, and innovation cannot be achieved without technology, so the state is working to spread technological areas. In this report, we present to you the most important steps taken by the Ministry of Communications in 2017 to support innovation and spread technology across Egypt. 1. A project to spread technology parks in Egypt: A new technological area in Al Sadat City in Menoufiya was established and opened, on an area of 100 acres. Another area was established in New Beni Suef city on an area of 50 acres. Other technology parks were opened last year in Borg El-Arab in Alexandria and New Assiut, making the total number of technology parks opened in two years four in different areas. 1. Technological Knowledge City Basic designs were put forward to implement the technological Knowledge City in the New Administrative Capital on an area of 301 acres, using the latest technologies in all its sectors. Implementation is set to begin in 2018. 1. Supporting technological innovation and entrepreneurship programmes: Within the framework of the state's implementation of IT objectives in all Egyptian governorates, the initiative of technological innovation complexes was launched across Egypt with the aim of spreading innovation and blending IT into achieving the digital transition strategy and knowledge-based economy across the different Egyptian governorates. Starting the implementation of 10 technological innovation complexes at Egyptian universities was announced as a first phase of the project. This phase should provide all the possibilities and elements to support innovative young people, as specialised technological labs will be provided as well as training centres to hold forums and workshops and create interaction between young people, investors, and major local and international companies in the fields of entrepreneurship and innovation support. Additionally, the joint innovation centre between Egypt, Cyprus, and Greece in the Borg El-Arab Technology Park was launched with the aim of implementing joint technological projects, exchanging experiences, and supporting joint and strategic cooperation between the three countries in the field of entrepreneurship, with a special focus on small and medium enterprises. An agreement, which is the first of its kind, was also made with the UN to launch a regional centre for sponsoring technological innovation in Africa. In its first phase, the centre is working to provide innovative technology solutions for challenges in the fields of education, health, industry, and agriculture. The Information Technology Industry Development Agency's (ITIDA) Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre (TIEC) has supported several programmes that aim to offer financial support to the innovation and entrepreneurship activities as well as help spread them in the different governorates of Egypt.
