7 - Targeted Strategic Initiatives Second: Bilateral and Regional Cooperation Programs These programs aim at strengthening Egypt’s bilateral relations with the continent, boosting Egyptian investment in infrastructure projects in African countries, and supporting development through the sharing of Egyptian experience and training of human resources. Table 7.4.1: Nile ICT Corridor Initiative Activities Establishment of a web portal for the Nile ICT Corridor, introducing citizens and officials of member countries to the project, and providing a channel of communication and access to services Table 7.4.1: Nile ICT Corridor Initiative Community Development Program Establishment of Nile ICT Houses for eradication of technological illiteracy providing IT skills training, e-clinics, local e-government services, regional distance learning center units, and documentation units for human, natural and cultural heritage Establishment of an e-learning center for Nile Basin countries, facilitating ICT-related research, and offering specialized programs in different fields of technology and diploma courses in computer use from the Information Technology Institute (ITI) and Egyptian universities Documentation of human, natural and cultural heritage e-Government: transfer of Egyptian e-government expertise to Nile Basin countries and provision of training for government employees Output No of hits for the Nile ICT Corridor web portal; A geographic information system for service centers; and videoconferencing, e-mail and other virtual communication services Technology centers in the Nile Basin countries acting as contact center between the Technology Corridor and recipient countries. Business Development Program Cultural and natural heritage documentation centers Documentation of the human, natural and cultural history of the Nile Basin B- Regional Cooperation The regional center and an information center No. of Nile ICT Houses Regional e-learning center Transfer of expertise models of the Creation of a knowledge partnerships in the field of technology park establishment Establishment of national computer emergency response (CERT) teams Development of human resources in the field of regulation and telecommunications No. of trainees Contribution to the development of legislative and regulatory frameworks for telecommunications and spectrum management Support and development of ICT entrepreneurship Training programs entrepreneurial skills to Establishment of an ICT business forum for the Nile Basin region Hosting and incubation of a number of emerging companies in Nile ICT Houses By re activating Egypt’s involvement in relevant regional organizations. This role enhances Egypt’s position in the continent and ensures many economic benefits. The ICT sector plays an important role in regional cooperation Primary objectives: Strengthening Egypt’s regional role in Africa Strengthening Egypt’s role in regional organizations Developing ICT related cooperation frameworks on the governmental level Encouraging the Egyptian private sector to invest in African markets, especially at the SME level Transferring Egyptian expertise to African countries through bilateral and regional cooperation Establishing initiatives for the implementation of regional projects Developing mechanisms for tripartite cooperation between Egypt and European or Arab country(ies) to implement projects in Africa Table 7.4.2: Bilateral Cooperation Program develop Semi-annual ICT business forums to be held in each of the Nile Basin countries in rotation 74 75 A- Bilateral Cooperation Aiming at strengthening bilateral relations between Egypt and African countries; strengthening the role of the Egyptian private sector by boosting Egyptian investments in infrastructure projects, where Egyptian companies enjoy a relatively large experience, and supporting development projects through human capacity building programs Smart buildings; smaller Smart Village Information Infrastructure and Policy Program Egyptian African cooperation axes are divided into two pillars: bilateral and regional cooperation Programs Table 7.4.2: Bilateral Cooperation Program Programs through knowledge transfer. Egypt is member in a number of African regional organizations, including: The African Union (AU) - The COMESA - The African Telecommunications Union (ATU) and The Pan-African Postal Union( PAPU). Activities Infrastructure projects Cooperation with South Africa ICT policy Outsourcing and call center services Use of ICTs in development Living labs Cooperation with Mauritius Human capacity building Cooperation in the field of call centers Output Greater investment between Egypt and South Africa Increased cooperation between Egypt and South Africa in the field of ICT Transfer of experience in the field of living labs Coordination of regional and international positions No. of trainees