ICT Minister Opens GSA 2023 Egypt Summit

Dr. Amr Talat, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, opened last week, the first summit of the Global Semiconductor Alliance (GSA) in Cairo, organized by the regional business unit "GSA-Egypt", in cooperation with the Information Technology Industry Development Authority (ITIDA) and the Egyptian Information Telecommunications Electronics and Software Alliance (EITESAL); With the participation of officials and representatives of more than 60 local and international companies specializing in electronics designing and integrated systems in the semiconductor industry, and many experts and academics specializing in the industry.

 The Summit included several events, seminars and panel discussions aimed at highlighting the current state of the semiconductor industry globally, the advantages and competitiveness of the Egyptian market, and holding discussions on advanced technologies, risk capital investments, the future of semiconductors and integrated systems in the automotive industry, and the current challenges facing the industry, notably the lack of skills.

In his statement; Dr. Amr Talat confirmed that the electronics industry is growing rapidly in Egypt in light of the Government's interest in the development of this industry and its position as a priority for its work. He noted that the development strategy for the electronics industry is being implemented to enhance Egypt's position in this important industry by working according to five pillars: capacity-building, partnerships, the strengthening of components, policy development and the establishment of zones and centers for the development of the industry.

Dr. Amr Talat added that capacity-building is the cornerstone of the development strategy for the electronics industry; Egypt has a broad base of young competencies, with 250k young people graduating annually in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics; 50k young engineering graduates. He explained the efforts of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology to invest in building young people's digital capacities, which have resulted in the training of about 600 young people over the past three years; through a variety of programs and initiatives, including short training programs, training in self-employment skills, specialized ICT education at the tertiary level, and master's scholarships in technical disciplines. He noted that the training programs cover the various specializations of communications and information technology with a focus on the specialization of electronics design. The Ministry aims to double the number of professionals in the industry and enhance their competitiveness.

Dr. Amr Talat explained the state's interest in developing policies related to encouraging domestic and foreign investment in the electronics industry in Egypt, including the establishment of economic zones industrial technological zones and the expansion of specialized laboratories to promote the growth of companies operating in the electronics industry. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has also established the 1st Industry 4.0 Innovation Center in the Knowledge City in the new administrative capital, which hosts 24 companies specializing in electronics design to serve as a center for research, development, testing and innovation with specialized laboratories; In addition to developing telecommunications infrastructure with investments of $4 billion, which resulted in raising the efficiency of the Internet to top the African continent's ranking on average fixed Internet speed, as well as developing policies related to improving the climate and the business environment of SMEs, supporting technological innovation and entrepreneurship.

The minister pointed out that the development strategy for the electronics industry focuses on strengthening Egypt's components as an attractive purpose for the export centers of electronic design services; More than 55 local and international companies specializing in the design of electronics and compact systems work in Egypt. It also has many competitive advantages that qualify it to expand this promising industry and provide services to different markets. He noted the efforts made to establish partnerships with the private sector and attract major international companies specializing in this industry to cooperate in building digital capacities and to establish centers for them in Egypt to meet the growing demand for these services.

Dr. Amr Talat looked forward to further cooperation with the Global Semiconductor Alliance, noting that the establishment of the regional business unit GSA-Egypt is an important step in driving the growth of this promising industry.

The Global Semiconductor Alliance is a leading industry organization that brings together leaders and specialists in semiconductors, software, solutions, systems and services to create an effective, sustainable and profitable global technology ecosystem. It has more than 300 corporate members, including more than 120 government companies, and provides a unique platform through which executives, partners and clients interact to innovate, accelerate the sector's growth and boost investment and intellectual return. GSA members represent about 70% of the more than US $500 billion semiconductor sector.

Eng. Ahmed Elzaher, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Information Technology Industry Development Authority (ITIDA), explained that ITIDA places the electronics industry and design as its top priority as one of the world's most important technology industries contributing to the promotion of economic growth. He stressed that the ITIDA seeks through Egypt's Digital Strategy for the Outsourcing Industry 2022-2026, which was launched last February, to double the volume of exports of cross-border IT products and services and promote Egypt as an attractive destination for providers of electronic design, value-added services, quality testing and integrated systems and enhance its global competitiveness in this promising sector.

Eng. Ahmed Elzaher added that local companies in Egypt have many success stories internationally in value-added services. In Egypt, more than 15 international companies specializing in the fields of electronics design, integrated systems, integrated circuit development, semiconducting and testing of electronic chip software export their services abroad. Egypt has specialized skills. More than 6,000 engineers specialize in this highly specialized sector, reflecting the attractiveness of the Egyptian market as a stimulating environment for business, creativity and development in the fields of electronics manufacturing and design.

for its part; Ms. Jodi Shelton, Chief Executive Officer of the Global Semiconductor Alliance (GSA), explained that the Global Semiconductor Alliance included members of major companies in various aspects of the industry from semiconductor manufacturers, integrated systems and software. She noted that the industry is growing at a high rate of 40% between 2020 and 2022; despite the noteworthy challenges facing the industry like the lack of specialized skills.

Ms. Jodi Shelton added that Egypt has many advantages, which led the Alliance to establish for the first time a business unit outside the Alliance in Egypt, which now has some 30 companies; Egypt has a broad skill base and is considered a gateway to various markets and the continent of Africa.

The Global Semiconductor Alliance had established a regional business unit in Egypt under the name "GSA- Egypt", in cooperation with the Information Technology Industry Development Authority "ITIDA" and the Egyptian Information Telecommunications Electronics and Software Alliance (EITESAL); as part of the Alliance's expansion plans to include senior players and leaders in the semiconductor industry, software, solutions, systems and services. GSA- Egypt offers companies operating in Egypt the benefits of full membership in alliance to enable them to continuously communicate with experts specializing in the semiconductor industry, learn about the latest technologies, practices and business models, as well as opportunities available in various markets through a range of specialized activities, events and conferences.