Page 76 - SAMENA Trends - December 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

472 requests have been submitted on the platform to receive the efficiency of the services it provides to users and facilitate
governmental services. On artificial intelligence and ICT industry ways to obtain them, in line with the Egyptian government’s shift
development, the report noted that five innovation centers were towards digital transformation. The new online portal for import
established at Egyptian universities, 22 ICT companies have services works to ease access and shorten the time period to
been prepared to start working in the domestic market, and 29 obtain services. Importers, whether companies or individuals, can
start-ups have been incubated through the entrepreneurship choose the services they want to obtain through the portal, submit
and technology center. The report also highlighted international the necessary documents, carry out the payment process, and
institutions’ commendations to Egypt’s ICT sector. follow up on the status of implementation of services until they
(December 28, 2020) english.ahram.org.eg are obtained. NTRA CEO Hossam El-Gamal said that the launch
of the new digital portal comes in line with the state’s drive to
The National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) has launched achieve digital transformation, and adopt advanced technologies.
its digital portal for licensing and import approval services, These will be adapted to develop business performance and
through which all procedures related to telecommunications build a digital work system to serve users supported by financial
can be completed electronically. The new portal allows users to inclusion mechanisms. The authority has made all its services
submit applications for permits and licenses, complete customs available to customers, including 37 services for importers. The
release procedures, and access the authority’s services with ease. NTRA has updated its official website to facilitate access to
Other services include spectrum licensing, type approvals, and the the import services it provides, as well as for users to submit
issuance of import permits for telecommunications equipment complaints on telecommunications services, and follow up on
and devices. This comes as part of the NTRA’s keenness to raise market and quality indicators. (December 2, 2020) dailynewsegypt.com

Kuwait

The RIPE Network Coordination Centre (RIPE NCC), in collaboration technical collaborations are needed to respond to the changing
with the Communications and Information Technology Authority in landscape caused by the global pandemic and address the
Kuwait (CITRA), successfully organized the 4th edition of the RIPE urgent need for affordable and secure access and better use of
NCC Government Roundtable dedicated to Arab ICT Ministries Internet and its digital services. We recommend the RIPE NCC
and regulators in the Middle East region which was held virtually for its tireless efforts to support our country and the region. No
under the theme, “Cooperation for better connectivity”. The event matter how much we can do by ourselves on a national level, it is
was attended by high level representatives from several Arab never enough; we need regional and international cooperation.”
countries, including ministers and regulators. The meeting, which H.E. Hamad Almansoori, Chief of Digital Government, Director
was opened by H.E. Saleem Al-Ozianah, Chairman and CEO of General of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority in the
CITRA, H.E. Hamad Almansoori, Chief of Digital Government and United Arab Emirates, pointed out “Regional and international
General Manager of Telecommunications Regulatory Authority in cooperation has never been as necessary and urgent as it is
the United Arab Emirates, H.E Dr. Mohamad Tamimi, Governor of now. We are witnessing a turning point in the history of ICT. The
the Communications and Information Technology Commission in whole world is facing the same risks from the pandemic and
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Hans Petter Holen, Managing Director has the same hopes for returning to normalcy. Therefore, RIPE
of RIPE NCC and Christian Kaufmann, Executive Board Chairman NCC represents an important framework for working together
of RIPE NCC, discussed keyways and collaborations to drive in for common goals by having better Internet infrastructure to
more development and economic growth for the Arab region’s accelerate the assimilation and application of the concepts
Internet sector. During the event, participants discussed the of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which until yesterday
current opportunities and challenges posed by the management seemed futuristic, but are in fact, a part of our current life.” H.E
of Internet resources and infrastructure in the Middle East - Dr. Mohamad Tamimi, Governor of the Communications and
especially during emergencies such as COVID-19. They also Information Technology Commission in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,
discussed how to adopt a more collaborative approach with highlighted the importance of collaboration: “ The importance of
governments and regulators and looked at the latest RIPE NCC the continuous collaboration and cooperation between the RIPE
statistics and figures. In his opening speech, H.E. Saleem Al- NCC and the regulators in the region is evident through such
Ozianah, Chairman and CEO of CITRA, stressed the significance constructive meetings that aim to discuss the organizational
of such high level discussions and dialogues and pointed out the and technical challenges of managing Internet number resources
importance of hosting such a quality-focused event in Kuwait, and building the related digital capabilities; thus promoting the
which reflects CITRA efforts towards enhancing the Internet in line smooth growth of the Internet and the stability of its services for
with Kuwait’s government commitment for digital transformation, the benefit of our countries and the world at large.” Hans Petter
which is the foundation of the "New Kuwait 2035" development Holen, Managing Director of RIPE NCC, announced the publication
strategy. H.E. Al-Ozianah added: “Innovative regulations and of the “RIPE NCC Internet Country Report: Gulf Region”, which

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