Page 49 - SAMENA Trends - December 2023

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

ITIDA, Siemens Forge Strategic Partnership to Propel Egypt’s Digital

Transformation, Talent Development

The Information Technology Industry
Development Agency (ITIDA), serving
as Egypt’s Ministry of Communications
and Information Technology’s (MCIT)
executive IT arm and a hub for foreign
investors in IT and business services, has
signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) with Siemens Digital Industries
Software. This global leader in digital
transformation solutions is partnering
with ITIDA to expand its research and
development in Egypt, nurture local talent,
and promote technological innovation. The
MoU signing, attended by Prime Minister
Mostafa Madbouly and Minister Amr
Talaat, signifies the government’s robust
support for the IT sector and a mutual
pledge to foster technological progress
and economic growth in Egypt. Under the national training programs to boost export and digital industries. Ahmed El-Zaher,
MoU, Siemens Digital Industries Software capabilities. Moreover, the partnership is CEO of ITIDA, emphasized the strategic
will receive ITIDA’s backing to broaden dedicated to empowering local electronics importance of the partnership: “This
its Egyptian operations, especially in startups and nurturing an innovation collaboration transcends mere operational
engineering, research and development ecosystem, offering initiatives like access expansion; it’s a critical move to accelerate
(ER&D), and electronics design. The to electronic design automation (EDA) our local IT and high-end service exports.
agreement also promotes joint efforts tools, training, mentorship, and technical Aligning with Siemens Digital Industries
to enhance local talent through top- assistance. Mike Ellow, Executive Vice Software, a global tech giant, we aim to
tier training in cutting-edge electronic President of Siemens EDA, commented: boost Egypt’s global tech competitiveness
design technologies and to generate “Today’s agreement underscores several and create ample job opportunities for our
job opportunities in line with Siemens’ key achievements. It recognizes Siemens rich talent pool and skilled workforce.” As
growth objectives in Egypt. Minister Talaat EDA’s 28-year legacy as a frontrunner in the catalyst for Egypt’s IT sector, ITIDA is
remarked on the partnership’s significance: advanced semiconductor and electronics dedicated to fostering a business-friendly
“This collaboration marks a key milestone design technology in Egypt, made environment. Supporting Siemens Digital
in Egypt’s digital evolution, affirming our possible by the country’s exceptional Industries Software’s growth plans, ITIDA
commitment to elevate Egypt’s standing engineering talent. It also marks a seeks to draw foreign direct investment,
in the electronics industry via the ‘Egypt deepened collaboration with MCIT/ enhance ICT service exports, and
Makes Electronics Initiative.’ It acts as a ITIDA to expand Egypt’s tech ecosystem.” solidify Egypt’s role as a regional hub for
springboard for cooperation, knowledge Ellow added: “This agreement reinforces electronics design and digital solutions,
exchange, and tech advancement, driving our ongoing collaboration with the in harmony with the Digital Egypt Strategy
Egypt’s ICT sector to global prominence.” government, academia, and local entities for the Offshoring Industry (2022-2026).
The ITIDA-Siemens alliance aims to bolster to support our advanced development Renowned for its trailblazing solutions that
Egypt’s IT and electronics industries center’s growth in Egypt for the next three empower digitalization, Siemens Digital
and generate employment for its youth. years. We are committed to aiding local Industries Software is set to expand its
Egypt boasts the largest, youngest talent SMEs in semiconductor and electronics Egyptian operations, thereby strengthening
pool in the Middle East and the second- design and to establishing Egypt as a its local presence and contributing to a
largest in EMEA, with approximately regional tech hub.” The ITIDA is set to dynamic electronics design and digital
600,000 university graduates entering the provide comprehensive logistical support industry ecosystem. In this partnership,
job market annually. Capitalizing on this to Siemens Digital Industries Software, Siemens Digital Industries Software will
talent reservoir, Siemens Digital Industries including connecting with local talent and actively collaborate with local entities,
Software intends to significantly increase engineers. ITIDA will also recommend including esteemed academic institutions
its Egyptian footprint by hiring at least Siemens for government incentives (National Telecommunication Institute,
20% new local employees each year, aimed at the electronics design sector, Information Technology Institute, and the
targeting a workforce of 1800 within three reinforcing Egypt’s ambition to become a American University in Cairo), research
years. This expansion will be supported by premier destination for electronics design centers, and industry associations. The

49 DECEMBER 2023