Sheikha Lubna calls for greater inter-sector cooperation in move towards robust digital economies

In her opening address to a high profile audience of industry leaders and government ministers from across the Middle East and Africa, H.E. Sheikha Lubna said, "Information and Communication Technologies are powerful enablers of development, as they promote foreign investments and help to capture economic opportunities by increasing process efficiency, encouraging participation in expanded economic networks and creating opportunities for employment."

"We need to realise that regional governments and business sectors need to work hand in hand to ensure the necessary enabling environment for greater investments in the ICT sector, to foster entrepreneurship and to stimulate innovation. Together they can play a larger role as innovators, investors and job creators, to effectively address various issues that hinder the spread of information technologies and eventually create the right environment for the creation and subsistence of a digitally-enabled economy," H.E. Sheikha Lubna added.

The Conference, entitled 'Driving development with ICTs and the Internet', was divided into three sessions, each presided by a senior industry figure. Various topics were discussed, including 'Creating an enabling environment to promote innovation, investment, competition and entrepreneurship', 'Securing and protecting information', and 'The internet and bringing its benefits to more people around the globe'.
A distinguished line-up of speakers discussed issues and research related to the impact that ICT development and the internet are having on regional economies. During the event, H.E. Sheikha Lubna also highlighted the developments within the UAE's ICT sector and the country's rapid progress towards digital economy.

"The UAE is certainly one of the foremost countries in the Arab World on the way to becoming an e-Commerce hub, and the concerted efforts from the business sector and the government are helping in the faster realisation of this goal. The business sector's adoption of technology greatly impacts the overall direction of ICT development in a country and moreover, businesses have an important role to play in shaping the policies driving e-Commerce."

The Conference was held under the patronage of H.E. Sheikha Lubna al Qasimi and co-organised by the International Chamber of Commerce Commission on E-Business, IT and Telecoms (EBITT); Business Action to Support the Information Society (BASIS); Talal Abu-Ghazaleh & Co. International (TAGI); Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Information Technology International (TAGITI); and the Union of Arab Chambers of Commerce.