Egypt Reduces COVID-19 Threat Through Digital Transformation

Arab World

June 30th, 7:28am

Cairo - Waleed Abdulrahman

A member of the medical staff at the infectious diseases unit of the Imbaba hospital in the capital Cairo, (AFP)

The Egyptian government launched Egypt's digital portal, which will electronically provide major services for citizens as the authorities continue to impose measures to help fight the spread of the new coronavirus pandemic. Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly announced that social distancing and self-isolation strategies prompted the government to speed up projects as part of the country’s digital transformation which will facilitate life for citizens. The increased reliance on the internet during the pandemic also increased the demand for accelerating the electronic transformation within state institutions. Speaking at the inauguration of a number of development projects at the presence of President Abdul Fattah el-Sisi, Madbouly stressed the importance of telecommunications and the information technology sector. He indicated that the COVID-19 crisis has accelerated worldwide moves towards digital transformation, announcing that Egypt’s next year budget will include EGP15 billion to accelerate projects in the communication sector. Madbouly explained that Egypt's digital gate will provide a package of electronic services that could reach up to 155 types of e-services by the end of this year. The Prime Minister noted that the state has succeeded in meeting the challenge of holding academic exams online, noting that it is a promising opportunity. Madbouly said that Sisi has directed authorities to increase internet's speed and provide a wider range of electronic services ahead of the virus outbreak. In 2019, Egypt ranked in the 40th place in Africa's internet speed, he said, however in March, the country ranked the second to mega investments in the development of networks. Last September, the government’s Media Center said up to EGP7.8 billion was allocated for the 2019/2020 budget to develop the information and digital content sector. Meanwhile, the chairman of the Chamber of Information Technology and Communications (CIT), Waleed Gad, said that the digital transformation will contribute to providing better services. He said that the aim is to secure a better life and eliminate the need for the citizens to go to state institutions for needed services.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2362361/egypt-reduces-covid-19-threat-through-digital-transformation