Page 60 - SAMENA Trends - June-August 2021

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

86% of Consumers in Bahrain Switch to e-Commerce

About 86% of consumers in Bahrain have switched to the world Africa Sitecore, said that turning 86% of consumers digitally to
of e-commerce since the start of the coronavirus (COVID-19) the world of e-commerce in Bahrain shows that the Kingdom is
pandemic, and they want to continue to buy everything online. witnessing fast turnaround from traditional stores to e-commerce
This was confirmed by Sitecore, the leading global company in and hybrid models. “Young consumers are quickly shifting their
the field of digital experience management software. Since the significant purchasing power to the internet, which means there
start of the pandemic, 86% of IT decision-makers in Bahrain is still pressure on retailers to be able to give shoppers a rich
say their consumers are willing to leave the online store and go and joyful shopping experience,” he added. Brands in Bahrain are
for another alternative if they can’t find what they want in a few taking a variety of measures to improve the shopping experience.
clicks. About 87% of respondents agreed that consumers have A majority of 85% of brands ranked apps or websites that work
less patience with websites that are slow or not working properly. well on mobile devices in their top three options for improving
Said Mohamed Kuhtani, Vice President for the Middle East and customer experience.

Libya, Egypt Discuss Establishing Joint Company to Achieve Full Digital

Transformation

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Telecom Holding the two countries”. The two sides also discussed the mechanism
Company, Faisal Qarqab, has held a meeting with the Egyptian of establishing the Libyan-Egyptian company, which will be con-
ambassador to Libya, to follow up on the agreements that were cerned with putting the necessary initiatives under implementa-
signed in the field of communications, technology, training and tion, and laying the foundations for Libyan-Egyptian investment
development, during the visit of the delegation of leaders from programs in the field of technology industry and localization, in
Libya’s information and communications technology (ICT) sector an effort to reach a complete digital transformation in the two
to Egypt last June. During the meeting, Qarqab praised the joint countries. Last June, the Telecom Holding Company signed 4
cooperation between Libya and Egypt in the field of communi- memoranda of understanding with the Egyptian Telecom Compa-
cations and information technology, saying “we look forward to ny in the areas of digital transformation, postal services, capacity
this cooperation reaching us in twinning several projects between building and entrepreneurship, as well as technology localization.

IT & Telecom Ministry Launches ‘Smart Village Project’ in Pakistan

The Ministry of IT and Telecommunication on Wednesday through cross-sector collaboration and multi-stakeholder engagement
the Universal Service Fund (USF) launched a “Smart Village” proj- to further improve cost-effectiveness and sharing of resources
ect in four provinces, Islamabad and Gilgit-Baltistan. The project and expertise in delivering the services to citizens. Initially, one
will be funded and technically supported by the International Tele- Smart Village will be established each at Islamabad, Punjab, Ba-
communication Union and Huawei Technologies Pakistan. Under lochistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan”. The
the project a center to be set up in a backward village equipped Minister said that the National Information Technology Board
with modern facilities from which not only the people of the area (NITB) launched more than 30 mobile applications, government
will be trained to use IT facilities but also, they will be encouraged web portals and websites related to public services. He said that
to incorporate it in their daily life. The Federal Secretary Ministry the effects of the steps taken under the Digital Pakistan Vision are
of IT and Telecommunication Muhammad Sohail Rajput, the CEO now beginning to show. We have started the first e-cabinet, work-
USF Haaris Mahmood Chaudhary, the Area Representative for ing on E-Parliament, E-Office and Internet Voting also. The federal
Southeast Asia, International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Dr. minister congratulated the teams of USF, ITU & Huawei and en-
Ismail Shah, and the CEO Huawei Mark Meng were also present sured his support in the implementation of the project. Syed Amin
on the occasion. While addressing the inaugural ceremony of the Ul Haque also said that the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication
‘Smart Village Project’, Syed Amin Ul Haque said “Smart Village will continue to undertake more challenging and productive pro-
project is another step towards realizing Prime Minister’s vision grams in the future for the promotion of IT and Telecommunica-
of Digital Pakistan. The Ministry of IT and Telecommunication tion related services. Sharing his thoughts at the ceremony, the
through USF is partnering with ITU and Huawei to digitally trans- CEO USF Haaris Mahmood Chaudhary said “Smart Village project
form remote and rural communities by connecting and empower- is consistent with USF’s mission to empower the unserved and
ing them through better access to a range of digital services in the underserved communities. This partnership will permit USF, ITU,
domain of health, education, commerce, and livelihood. The project and Huawei to mutually serve their mission.”
emphasizes on the whole-of-government approach and promote
60 JUN-AUG 2021