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FROM THE EDITOR
“The new technologies that are changing our world are not a panacea or a magic bullet. But they are, without doubt, enormously powerful tools for development. They create jobs. They are transforming education, health care, commerce, politics and more”, what H.E Kofi Anan said simply summed all the reasons behind working for a better CIT sector, as CIT is considered the main gear in the development wheel.
Egypt since the beginning of the third millennium has been concentrating its effort to develop a strong CIT sector, Today, ICT is a major boost for the national economy as well as the social development. The sector has managed to maintain a growth rate up to 20% over the last three years and Egypt is now standing as a leading country in the MENA region, thanks to the IT business.
Smart Village Cairo, is considered a major player and a main anchor in the development process, being the first technology cluster and the prime business park in Egypt, and hosting hundreds of the most powerful multinational and local companies in the CIT sector in addition to the banking and finance sector, forming a new strong community, working in harmony to enhance the national development efforts, joining forces in creating a better Egyptian economy and creating a business destination to be perceived as “ the promised land” for businessmen.
We in Smart Village believe that team work is the way to a better future, we have faith in our country and in the Egyptian human capital potentials, we plan, invest, study, analyze and implement, we work today for a brighter tomorrow.
Smart Village Participates in ITU World
Smart Villages Company participated in ITU Telecom World 2009 held from 5-9 October, 2009 in Geneva, Switzerland, as part of the Egyptian Delegation, Led by H.E Dr. Tarek Kamel; Minister of Communications and Information Technology.
The Egyptian Pavilion was a main stop during the Forum and Exhibition opening tour led by the United Nations Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-moon, during which a presentation on Smart Village’s development and expansion plans was made by Eng. Aboualam, in the presence of H.E Dr. Tarek Kamel, and Dr. Hamadoun Touré, ITU Secretary-General, and other distinguished guests.
International Orange Lab Cairo, R&D.
Interview with Dr. Mohamed Afify,
Head of Voice and Multimedia Services
Cairo Orange Lab was inaugurated a year ago in Smart Village Cairo. The lab focuses on R&D to enhance the customers experience in the MEA region.
What is the Orange Lab network, and how many R&D lab the network records worldwide?
Orange labs are a worldwide network focused in R&D and innovation willing to enhance customer services according to the region they serve. There are 18th labs around the world and Cairo is actually the latest one. The Cairo lab exclusively operates with Amman Technocenter (Jordan) for the MEA region. Both provide innovative solutions for the Middle East and African subsidiaries. Moreover, since the labs work as a network Amman Technocenter is specialized in product development while the Cairo lab elaborates the technical part.
What were France Telecom strategic and innovative ambitions by implanting a Lab in Egypt, and what is the number of local employees?
The Cairo lab supplies specific innovations for the MEA market. Being located in Cairo strengthens the lab performances by its strategic ability to be inside of the market. The Cairo lab represents 10% of the total revenues of the Orange group and its growth is yearly increasing.
The Cairo lab is divided in four main R&D units: SEC (Simplicity Expertise Center) , VMS (Voice& Multimedia Services) ,FSA (Financial Services Applications) and N&TE (Network& techno-Economic) . Those units are run by a qualified workforce of 40 local engineers.
Do you believe that Egypt is becoming the next “promised land” for R&D and Innovation in the IT sector?
Egypt is impressive when one has a close up on its economic growth in the R&D sector. This sector is highly supported by public as well as private entities to ensure its prosperity. Moreover, Egypt has a quantitative and qualitative workforce in the IT field which attracts local and Multinational companies. If the sector continues to be auspicious, then there is a strong probability that Egypt will be the next “promised land” in R&D and innovation.
Since you are operating in Egypt for more than one year, what are your positive achievements or highlights?
The first year, Orange lab mainly focused on settling down in the region by building a qualified team, strategic relationships with the surrounding companies as well as integrating the ecosystem. Orange lab has successfully passed those challenges and is now flourishing in the market. The lab is developing innovative projects this year such as building voice portals, a new version of mobile payment solutions and new broadband services.
Smart Village Cairo is dedicating 90% to landscapes, lakes and greenery, how is this affecting the productivity of your employees?
Smart Village Cairo is a unique place in Egypt where employees can efficiently and professionally express their skills. The green landscapes provide a peaceful environment propitious to research and innovation. Employees benefit from a fully fledge business park with all the accommodations and services which positively increased their daily productivity.
Facts and Figures
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IN Egypt
80% represents the ICT increasing annual investment
30% is the estimated development rate of the ICT sector from 2006 to 2011
20% is the ICT sector growth rate over the three last years
$7.8 Billion is the net revenue generating by the ICT sector to the Egyptian Government
$1.3 Billion is the total expected investments rate for 2006/2007-2011/2012
$8 Million is the amount of local and foreign investments in the sector
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