Egyptian IT companies await a 'French Connection' in February

The visit coincides with Egypt's biggest IT show, Cairo ICT 24-27 February, which will give the French companies the opportunity to witness the strength and magnitude of the Egyptian ICT sector.

Initiated by the French Speaking Engineers Association 'AIFE' and supported by the Information Technology Industry Development Agency 'ITIDA', the visit is expected to have numerous positive aspects especially on match-making opportunities and bolstering business ties.

Egyptian companies, with ITIDA' support, are keen on increasing their exports and finding international business partners. France and Egypt enjoy a history of good relations and trade partnership that create an ideal environment for the upcoming talks.

ITIDA will host 60 clients recommended by Egyptian companies along with a number of regional journalists and analysts to participate in Cairo ICT.

With a newly launched national strategy for developing the Egyptian IT sector, Egypt pays special attention to attracting foreign direct investments and aims at engaging various markets especially European ones and France tops the list of these markets.

Egypt now hosts 1,600 ICT companies providing 40,000 new jobs, and has become one of the world's top 20 offshore destinations, according to the annual global services ranking compiled by consultancy A.T. Kearney. At number 13, Egypt occupies the top spot in the Middle East and North Africa region. Egypt has the largest talent base of any country in the Middle East and is home to an increasing number of outsourcing centers operated by multinationals commented the consultancy. Attracting global outsourcing business is a key to rapid growth in the ICT sector, as witnessed in India, which occupies the number one spot on A.T. Kearney's rankings.

Aiming at advancing and nurturing the IT industry in Egypt, ITIDA was established in 2004 to act as the developer and promoter of the Egyptian IT industry. Relying on unequivocal governmental support, ITIDA utilizes a vast array of advantages and privileges bestowed on Egypt and synchronizes public and private efforts in order to place the country high on the global market' scale.

Armed with commitment and insight, ITIDA manifests its perspective with a number of programs carefully designed to enhance the Egyptian Information Technology Industry through capacity building program. The agency also promotes Industry/Universities collaboration, through linking academic research with industry and market needs. Through its Intellectual Property Rights Office (IPR), ITIDA aims at ensuring an effective enforcement of the Copyright Law by fighting piracy and sanctioning all infringements in order to guarantee an efficient protection to computer programs and databases.

Through its active participation in various international fairs and conferences, ITIDA not only presents the true image of Egypt as an emerging ICT giant, but also supports dozens of Egyptian SMEs to participate in such international events.