Page 52 - SAMENA Trends - January 2022

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Jordan to Launch 5G Services

Jordan's Prime Minister Bisher Al-Khasawneh said his impact and repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic, with the cost
government would work with telecom operators to launch 5G of these procedures totaling 2.7 billion Jordanian dinars ($3.8
mobile infrastructure services in the country. He made the billion), or 8.6 percent of the kingdom's gross domestic product.
remarks during a press conference when he revealed government CBJ programs benefited 6,000 firms and projects, resulting in the
procedures and strategies to advance customs reforms, develop protection of 140,000 jobs, according to him. He also said that the
the telecommunications industry and improve employment, the government had introduced a program to empower the private
state-run Petra news agency reported. Bisher Al-Khasawneh sector and solve unemployment. The government has set aside
said 5G networks are an economic facilitator and an investment- 80 million dinars from its budget for 2022 to encourage the private
attractive framework. He also pointed out that the technology will sector to create 60,000 jobs for Jordanians, according to him. The
have a favorable impact on education, health, banking, agriculture, Prime Minister also talked about the restructuring of customs fees
media, transportation and entertainment. In terms of Jordan's in order to boost the kingdom's economic competitiveness, a new
economy, the Prime Minister said the Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) tax on the usage of energy and the kingdom's strategic commodity
had implemented a series of procedures to mitigate the economic reserves.

Pakistan On Way to Digital Transformation

The rapid digitization across the globe is transforming almost around the globe get easy access to information anytime and
everything on face of the earth from economy to government- anywhere through multiple digital devices. Likewise, the digital
citizens’ interaction, market-customer relations to healthcare means of marketing and communication are also considered
and education by bringing down the whole new world to the quicker, result driven and adaptable. Therefore, a large number of
pocket size minicomputer. The digital landscape has grown companies in Pakistan have flourished through a digital approach
tremendously in Pakistan with a population of over 200 million by providing customers with effective solutions to their problems
people. The incumbent government has enlarged the spectrum through compelling marketing strategies. Management & Reforms
of digital transformation in the country by taking a number of Unit (PMRU), Chief Secretary Office, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Dr Akif
initiatives to modernize and reform the centuries-old system to Khan said that like elsewhere, the Covid-19 has also speeded up the
catch the pace of technological development. In order to ease the digital transformation in Pakistan alongside changing the peoples’
conditions of exhausting paperwork, the government has upgraded mindset for rapid digitization. He said, “The technology has made
digital banking infrastructure for digital services: e-payments, it possible for the high officials to hold more frequent meetings
online transactions, and issuance of credit cards, its use in online (virtual) with the subordinates to improve the performance.” Chief
stores or in-store shopping, at petrol pumps, online utility bills Executive Officer (CEO) of App desk, a Rawalpindi-based software
and university fee payment gateways. The country has over 165 house, Muhammad Tanveer Khan told APP that digitization makes
million mobile subscribers, 70 million active internet users and public service delivery more efficient and speedy by ensuring
60 million Smartphone users. The Covid-19 pandemic has also ‘one window operations’ of different official tasks — taking less
brought about an exponential growth in use of electronic gadgets time, charges and labor. Dr Akif Khan has however said that the
as alternate option for online learning when people were restricted government needs to create an enabling environment for the
to work from their homes for following the government guidelines evolving paradigms of digital transformation. He said, “Without
against the spread of virus. Therefore, in an increasingly digital capacity building and changing mindset, people wouldn’t be able
world, there remains little doubt that connecting people can to fully utilise technology.” The Pakistan Citizen Portal was one of
open up new possibilities and bridge the gaps of inequality, both the successful case studies of digital transformation of the PTI-led
social and economic. As the internet penetration has gone up to government where millions of citizens have been registered to get
70 percent in the country, countless case studies emerge that access to thousands of officials with their concerns with the highest
people successfully achieving their ambitions and turning their resolution rate, he added. Tanveer Khan said that technology also
dreams into reality. Historically, there have been various times decreases the chances of deliberate/un-deliberate human errors
when digital evolution and innovation has truly amazed the world. and the online record could be easily authenticated from any part
The digitization and technology hold the promise of progress and of the world. The IT expert said, “The digitized procedure of public
prosperity for almost every country including Pakistan. However, procurement can create the possibility of flawless and corruption-
it really needs tweaks in policies and growth in IT infrastructure free record of the data with centralized mechanism.” Majid Khan, an
which can act as catalysts for growth. The information technology Islamabad-based IT expert while talking to the agency said that due
(IT) has become a fundamental part of industry and manufacturing. to the pandemic, a spike was witnessed in the sale and purchase
The technologies like Internet of Things (IoT), big data, robotics, of smartphones and laptops for online teaching and learning in the
automation, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, mobility and country. He said that people in general and students in particular
others continue to have a growing effect on the society, economy had learnt a great deal about new software and productive use of
and environment. The digital medium is considered cost-effective android phones and computer technology during the new normal.
with a wider reach which comes with many benefits — people
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