The development of a mediterranean ICT space. The role of Lebanon in this space
Under the High Patronage of the His Excellency Mr Nicolas Sehnaoui, Lebanese Minister of Telecommunications, the conference was led by Pierre Musso, professor at Télécom ParisTech and co-author of a report published by IPEMED, “Steps towards a med. area – Confidence in the Mediterranean digital society”, which served as a basis for discussions.
The computerization of business and contemporary economies constitutes a major transformation comparable to the industrial revolution. So that ICTs can act as a catalyst for economic and human development, it is imperative to set up a comprehensive, multi-sectoral policy at regional level with the aim of creating a common digital area – a Mediterranean society of information and knowledge.
And the potential to be exploited is considerable, according to IPEMED's report, the communications sector (post office and telecommunications) represents 3 % of the GDP in Morocco and 5.5 % in Tunisia - it is less than 2 % in the North of the Mediterranean Sea, and if we add the other sectors included in ICTS (software, information systems, etc.) the part of this sector approaches the 10 %, in particular in Tunisia and in Egypt.
Beyond facilitating an appropriation of new technologies, the main stake is to set up a real multisectorial strategy (concerning legislation, finances, infrastructures and logistics, education and research, etc.) and an appropriate governance, which could allow the development of the Mediterranean region.
Three round tables will take place. They will tackle different recommendations presented in the report like the creation of a “Mediterranean cloud computing”, the implementation of an strategy encouraging the development of ICT contents and services and the creation of a MEDTIC fund. The main objective of the conference was to exchange on these proposals and on the place to be played by Lebanon in the constitution of this ".med " space and, especially, to give the floor to key regional actors and collect their experiences and recommendations.
Program :
14h00 : Opening speeches
- Mr. Stephane Attali, ESA General Director
- HE Robert Fadel, Bader President
- Mr. Jean-Louis Guigou, IPEMED General Delegate
14h30 – 15h30 : Session 1. The development of a « .med » space
Panelists:
- Ms Leila Serhan, Lebanon Country Manager, Microsoft
- Ms Salam Yammout, National ICT Strategy Coordinator at the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Lebanon
- Mr. Maroun Chamas, President Berytech, Lebanon
15h45 – 16h45: Session 2. ICT industries and services
Panelists:
- Mr. Raouti Chehih, CEO Euratechnologies, France
- Mr. Sami Tueni, Director Naharnet, Lebanon
- Mr. Nassim Kerdjoudj, CEO Netskills, Algeria
- Mr. Imad Hoballah, Chairman & CEO of the Telecommunication Regulation Authority, Lebanon
16h45 – 17h15: Coffee Break
17h15 – 18h15: Session 3. MEDTIC : an investment fund dedicated to investment in ICT based on a public-private partnership
Panelists:
- Dr Khater Abi Habib, Chairman & General Manager Kafalat, Lebanon
- Mr. Walid Hanna, Managing Director Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP), Lebanon
- Ms Leila Sawaya, UNDP Project Manager at IDAL, Lebanon
18h30 – 19h15: Conclusions and Outlooks
Panelists:
- Mr. Shadi Karam, Economic Advisor to the President of the Republic, Chairman & GM of BLC Finance, Lebanon
- Mr Hussam Kayyal, Advisor to the Telecommunication Minister, Lebanon
- Ms Salam Yammout, National ICT Strategy Coordinator at the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Lebanon
- Mr. Imad Hoballah, Chairman & CEO of the Telecommunication Regulation Authority, Lebanon
- Mr Pierre Musso, Professeur à Télécom ParisTech
19h15 – 19h30: Closing Speech
Speech by HE Mr. Nicolas Sehnaoui, Minister of Telecommunications