Page 71 - SAMENA Trends - February 2020

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Bahrain Airport First in Mideast to Operate with eLTE Technology

transformation goals and “our objective
of providing our partners at the airport
with modern and reliable mission-critical
communication solutions.” The new eLTE
system will improve BIA’s emergency
management services and operations
at the new terminal, and the airport at
large, while affording several benefits
such as last-mile data connectivity, fast
emergency CCTV deployment, HD voice
and video dispatching capabilities over
smart handheld devices. Wi-Fi services
for all Batelco will also provide highspeed
connectivity for Voice, Data, and Wi-
Fi services for all airport tenants and
passengers. Batelco Enterprise General
Manager, Abderrahmane Mounir expressed
his delight in associating with Bahrain
Airport Company. “We’re committed to
The new passenger terminal building of Al Binfalah and Batelco Enterprise General being a key stakeholder in elevating the
Bahrain International Airport (BIA) will Manager, Abderrahmane Mounir, in the services at Bahrain International Airport,”
become first in the Middle East to operate presence of the Minister of Transportation he added. BAC emphasized that the
with Enterprise LTE (eLTE) technology & Telecommunications and BAC Chairman, strategic investments will help transform
as its mission-critical system, Bahrain Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed and Batelco it into a world-class boutique airport and
Airport Company (BAC) announced. The Chairman Shaikh Abdulla bin Khalifa increase the aviation sector’s contribution
move follows of a key technical agreement Al Khalifa. Commenting, Al Binfalah to the national economy in line with the
between BAC and Batelco, signed by BAC said the deal puts BAC another step Kingdom’s Economic Vision 2030.
Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Yousif closer to realizing the Kingdom’s digital

Pakistan Needs a Comprehensive Road Map for Development of IT Sector

Prime Minister Imran Khan directed Sector to Include Launch of 5G Spectrum chalked out for the promotion of IT sector,
formulating a comprehensive road-map Prime Minister said the country’s future for which relevant departments had been
for development of information technology was linked with the information technology assigned duties. A representative of the
(IT) sector in the country within a week. The and the government was giving priority State Bank of Pakistan said for freelancers,
key areas include launch of 5G spectrum, to promotion of the sector by providing the process on implementing decision
connecting mobile phone towers through incentives to the skilled youth. He said the on increasing monthly limit of foreign
fabrication in big cities and defining time- country’s youth had immense talent and remittance to $25,000 would be completed
lines of other important matters to remove expertise in the IT and the promotion of in two days. It had been ensured that
impediments in Development of IT sector. that sector would create millions of jobs for freelancers be given maximum incentives
The prime minister issued the directive them. Secretary Information Technology on the received amount and also the
while chairing a meeting on promotion Shoaib Siddiqi briefed the prime minister exchange of foreign currency into local
of information technology, attended about giving incentives to the skilled currency be made at inter-bank rate, he
by Commerce Adviser, PM’s Special professional youth and freelancers, said. The meeting was told that e-payment
Assistant, Co-chairman Prime Minister increasing exports of the IT sector and gateway would be established by April. A
Task Force for IT and Telecom Dr Ata ur tax incentives, easy loans to the youth, representative of the Federal Bureau of
Rehman, and Secretaries of information facilitation of foreign remittance process Revenue gave a briefing on tax incentives
technology, commerce, cabinet and for freelancers and visa-related matters. to the IT sector.
finance divisions. Development of IT He said a comprehensive plan had been

71 FEBRUARY 2020