Egyptian IT companies ink deals during CeBit 2008

The activity resulted in a number of business agreements between at least four Egyptian companies and their German counterparts. The agreements ranged from distribution of Egyptian Biometric cards in Germany, e-Learning projects to the joint production of project management software.

The Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) headed a delegation of 29 Egyptian IT companies that occupied a pavilion in hall 6. The pavilion drew the attention of visitors and exhibitors alike with its attractive colors and a design reflecting the ancient civilization along with the digitized present of the country.

Dr. Hazem Abdul Azim, head of the Egyptian delegation and ITIDA CEO, said "CeBit is a fair of significant importance and Egyptian companies do value their participation in it. This year, 29 companies enjoy the support of ITIDA to get a closer look of the global IT. The number of companies proves that we are determined to engage with our partners and to highlight the merits we possess."

Dr. Abdul Azim added that "two Egyptian companies, ACT and Link Egypt, have closed deals with German and Danish partners amounting to millions of dollars. The partnership agreement signed between ACT and Vedilio to establish a company providing customer support in Europe, Africa, Middle East, and Asia emphasizes that we can provide service to various parts of the world and clear evidence on competitive advantages."

The cooperation between Egyptian and German companies is also manifested through the partnership between Egyptian Softlock and the German CINQ. The German company distributes the biometric cards produced the Egyptian one while the technology solutions produced by Softlock are also serving German companies like Elsasser.

Dr. Abdul Azim also noted that the Egyptian GNSE company finalized agreements with its German counterparts, WEBACAD and MIT, in the field of e-learning. He said that Link Egypt and the Danish company, CQR, signed an agreement to produce accredited software for project management that will be distributed in Europe, America, the Middle East and it will be translated to 10 languages.

On the sidelines of CeBit, Egyptian companies also had a roundtable discussion with 15 American companies on means of bolstering cooperation and business relations. The American side had a chance to get acquainted with the recent developments in the Egyptian ICT sector especially with the initiation of the IT strategy aiming at increasing exports.

The Egyptian Night, held on the 5th day of the fair, attracted a large number of visitors and businessmen who enjoyed oriental food and music. Dr. Abdul Azim delivered a speech that tackled the Egyptian drive to further enhance the cooperation with German companies, recent programs designed to increase the IT/ITES exports, and Egypt' success in attracting Foreign Direct Investments (FDI).

He also highlighted a commitment to ensure the quality of Egyptian graduates through extra courses crafted to enhance their eligibility to work in the BPO and Call Centre industry.

Mr. Heinz Paul Bonn, vice president of BITKOM, said the Egyptian Night is a "tradition" and an opportunity for networking. He praised the efforts exerted by Egypt to excel in a fast changing IT world.