The Middle East & North (MENA) region is emerging rapidly on the global scene making a major impact on economic agendas aiming to position the region as a technology hub and a driving engine in the digital economy, said Khalifa Al Shamsi, Chief Corporate Governance and Strategy Officer, Etisalat Group at the Mobile 360 series-MENA conference held in Dubai.
The conference focused on key trends in the telecom sector and increasing impact of the industry on the digital ecosystem and the evolution path of the ICT transformation journey.
In his keynote address, Mr Al Shamsi focused on Etisalat’s changing role as an operator which is vital today to increase global competitiveness, productivity and innovation in the country. He said Etisalat has steered digital transformation, developing the telecom value chain and leveraging core strengths and strategic assets to be able to generate returns out of this transformation.
Operators should be the driving force behind the maturity of the digital ecosystem, with capital investments, active involvement in shaping a favorable regulatory landscape, relevant partnerships, broad foresight for potential use cases, and the willingness to trial, pilot and launch new technologies.
Hatem Dowidar, Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat International, led the discussion in the opening CEO panel on ‘Regional Visions for Technology’s Transformative Power’. The panel highlighted how the region has showcased how ICT and telecommunications are core to businesses and individuals today with digital maturity taking a lead in implementing futuristic technologies and solutions. Today, the region has taken a global lead by taking the lead in 5G enabling operators to be at the forefront of innovation.
These dynamics in the mobile ecosystem will lead to a significant contribution to the economy in the region.
Etisalat has an exclusive partnership with GSMA for Mobile 360 series-MENA conference in 2018 and 2019. The conference, which runs on November 26-27 in Dubai, is a regional platform that attracts telecom leaders from across the global and regional mobile industry to address key challenges and opportunities in the mobile ecosystem.
