Brussels: Europe and the Arabs

Ambassador Dr. Badr Abdel Ati, Ambassador of Egypt to the Kingdom of Belgium accredited to the European Union, met Mrs. Dr. Petra de Sutter, Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium, Minister of Administration, Public Works, Communications and Postal Services.
The meeting dealt with aspects of strengthening bilateral relations between Egypt and Belgium in the fields of digitization and communications infrastructure, within the framework of building on the momentum witnessed in relations between the two countries at the political, economic and cultural levels, especially with the important visit paid by Her Majesty Queen Mathilde of Belgium, and Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess. Belgium’s mandate to Egypt in March 2023, as well as the visit of the Belgian Prime Minister to Egypt last November.

Ambassador Abdel-Aty discussed in detail the process of modernization and development that Egypt is witnessing at all levels, including the areas of infrastructure, smart mobility, and new smart and green cities, especially the establishment of the new administrative capital. In addition to the general trend towards digital transformation as a priority within the framework of modernizing the financial sector; and development of the educational process. This is in addition to promoting the use of artificial intelligence applications to develop key economic sectors, including agriculture and irrigation.

In this regard, the Egyptian ambassador reviewed the measures taken by the Egyptian government to expand the scope of the digital government and the electronic services it includes within the framework of the transition to green and environmentally friendly applications, and in order to achieve speed and quality in the services provided to the citizen, as well as to investors, as well as at the level of enhancing the performance of government work. In light of the move to the new capital and the expansion of e-government applications.

The Egyptian ambassador also shed light on the steps Egypt is taking to expand the development of Internet networks through cables made of high-speed fiber optics. And the delivery of Internet services to villages and remote areas in the various governorates of the Republic and the allocation of large investments for this; Opportunities for cooperation between Egypt and Belgium in this field were discussed, and the best relevant experiences and practices were exchanged.