Cairo: Minister of Communications and Information Technology Raafat Hendy stated that Egypt is keen on boosting cooperation with Iraq in communications and information technology, expanding areas of partnership, and exchanging expertise. The minister made these remarks during a meeting with Iraqi Minister of Communications Mustafa Jabbar Sanad and his accompanying delegation.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the two sides discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in ICT and exchange expertise to support digital transformation, harness technology for development, and build the digital economy in both countries. Hendy emphasized that Egypt has extensive expertise in developing telecommunications infrastructure, advancing digital transformation, and expanding digital services. He highlighted the project to extend fibre-optic cables to villages covered by the presidential Decent Life initiative, aiming to provide high-speed internet services and enable residents of rural areas to access digital services.

The ministers also discussed mechanisms for activating the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between their ministries. The MoU covers digital infrastructure, digital transformation, digital capacity building, postal services, innovation and entrepreneurship, cybersecurity, investment in ICT, and satellite technologies. The Iraqi official stressed the importance of activating the MoU and maximizing the benefits of the areas it covers.

Sanad explained that Iraq is witnessing significant progress in developing its telecommunications infrastructure through the expansion of fibre-optic networks to homes, efforts to establish data centers, and initiatives to attract major global companies to invest in the sector. These efforts, he said, are supporting the development of Iraq's digital infrastructure. The two ministers agreed on the importance of strengthening coordination and consultations on regional and international forums and events related to the ICT sector, which would help align the two countries' positions on issues of mutual interest and enhance bilateral cooperation at both the regional and international levels.