Page 55 - SAMENA Trends - June-August 2021

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Bangladesh Advances by 27 Stages in the National Cyber Security Index

of Foundation

Bangladesh has advanced by 27 stages in activity, and major crisis management the countries in the region. "Bangladesh's
the National Cyber Security Index prepared efforts. In the most recent index released cyber security capabilities is growing by
by the Estonia-based e-Governance on the NCSI website, Greece is in first place the day, and it is receiving international
Academy Foundation. Bangladesh has with a score of 97.10. The United States recognition. The BGD e-GOV CIRT is
climbed to 36th place in the report, which comes in at number 18, while the United dedicated to cyber security, and such
considers the state of cyber security Kingdom comes in at number 19. Singapore acknowledgement will motivate us to fight
and digital development in 180 nations (16th), Sri Lanka (69th), and Pakistan cyber threats and improve Bangladesh's
around the world. Bangladesh was ranked (70th) are Asia's only representatives in cyber security skills," said Tarique M
85th in the December 2020 index. The the top 20 countries. Japan is ranked 34th, Barkatullah, Director, BGD e-GOV CIRT in a
National Cyber Security Index (NCSI) was while China is ranked 73rd. Bangladesh press release on the matter.
established to evaluate basic cyberattack ranks first in South Asia with a score of
preparedness, cyber events, criminal 59.64 in the index. India ranks 39th among

Oman-Made Smartphone to Be Launched This Year

Young, diligent and ambitious Omani cadres have succeeded in
designing and assembling a smartphone for the first time in Oman.
An Omani team, Mersal, has been able to design and assemble
the first smartphone with approved international standards to suit
everyone’s requirements. The phone is called Mersal 7 or M-7 in
relation to the name of the company, and the number 7 is derived
from the screen size. Rashid bin Abdullah Al Nasri, CEO of Mersal,
said that “the assembly of the phone came after a great effort, as
we continued to work for nearly two years continuously in design,
selection of components, research and tests, in addition to plans
for installation, marketing methods and product launch.” Mersal
smartphone was designed and assembled at the Makers Oman
Centre in Innovation Park Muscat. Al Nasri added that the Mersal
phone works with the latest operating system, which is Android be at a competitive amount not exceeding OMR130. There will
11. The phone has been developed to work through the fourth- be pleasant surprises that we will announce at the launch,” the
generation cellular networks, and work is currently underway to CEO of Mersal said. Al Nasri also said, “We call on investors to
assemble a phone to suit the fifth-generation networks to deal partner and enter into this important aspect that is in harmony
quickly with data. The Mersal smartphone weighs 215 grams, has with Oman’s 2040 vision. We also call on government and security
a 7-inch HD screen, and an ROM of 128 GB, while the RAM capacity institutions and large companies for contractual purchases that
is six GB. The phone comes with a 48-megapixel rear camera and a will achieve and serve development and economic trends such as
25-megapixel front camera. As for the battery, it is non-removable creating job opportunities, economic diversification programmes,
and has a capacity of 5000 mAh. Mersal contains two ports for and the work of a series of technology-related industries.” “Apart
additional SIM cards and memory, in addition to other distinctive from meeting local needs, reducing trade deficit, creating local
technical specifications and features covered by an elegant and added value, and developing Omani institutions in terms of
attractive body made of metal, plastic and glass. Regarding the economic and social benefits, and even some political aspects, ”
total cost of Mersal project, the CEO said that nearly OMR5 million; he further said. “We also hope that there will be cooperation from
50 percent of which was already spent on the phone to design all government agencies competent in this field, and we seek to
and install a phone at the highest level of efficiency. Al Nasri have Mersal become Oman’s ambassador in electronic devices,”
talked about the challenges and difficulties that faced the Mersal Al Nasri added. It is noteworthy that Mersal launched the first
team, “the corona pandemic and its impact locally, regionally and Omani tablet device (Mersal 10 or M-10) that works with the best
internationally were among the difficulties, in addition to the costs international specifications at the beginning of the last academic
related to research, development and financing. “Technology- year 2020-2021. The tablet received good response and feedback
related projects are projects that require large amounts of from users. It’s success was attributed to the rapid response to
investment, and if all of this is available, it will achieve large and demand and competitive price, in addition to the fact that the
rewarding returns,” Al Nasri added. “Mersal smartphone will be tablet device meets all educational, commercial and personal
launched in the markets at the end of this year (2021) and it will needs.

55 JUN-AUG 2021