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The Governments of Indonesia and Egypt are exploring opportunities for collaboration in developing the digital sector.

Minister of Communication and Information Technology Budi Arie Setiadi discussed potential cooperation in digital infrastructure development and enhancing the capacity of the younger generation in the information and communication technology sector with Egypt's Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Amr Talaat.

"The bilateral meeting today aims to explore potential collaboration in developing digital infrastructure and enhancing the capacity of the younger generation in both countries," he stated at the Media Center of the High-Level Forum on Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships (HLF-MSP) and the 2nd Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF) 2024 at Pecatu Hall, Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center, Badung, on Monday (September 2, 2024).

Minister Budi Arie highlighted Indonesia's various efforts and achievements in digital infrastructure development, covering almost 98 percent of the national population.

"We have built 177,000 kilometers of fiber optic cables, 34 data centers, and 265,900 base transceiver stations (BTS), including 1,000 5G BTS," he explained.

The Minister of Communication and Information Technology noted similarities in policy and management of information and communication technology issues in Egypt, involving various ministries and agencies.

"Egypt's ICT policy is focused on three main pillars: digital transformation, digital skills and employment, and digital innovation," he stated.

During the meeting, Minister Budi Arie offered opportunities for collaboration in developing 5G network connectivity and investments in the new capital city, Nusantara (IKN).

Egyptian ICT Minister Amr Talaat expressed appreciation from President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi for the warm welcome from the Indonesian government. He highlighted the strategic and historical relations between Egypt and Indonesia.

"Egypt was the first country to recognize Indonesia's independence in 1945, and this relationship has developed significantly," he emphasized.

Minister Talaat expressed Egypt's commitment to expanding cooperation, particularly in the development of submarine cables and digital human resource capacity training.

"Egypt offers opportunities to enhance digital connectivity through submarine cables. We invite the young generation of Indonesia to benefit from the training programs we conduct," he said.

The Egyptian ICT Minister emphasized the commitment to strengthen and expand bilateral relations with Indonesia.

"The collaboration established in this meeting is expected to strengthen relations between Indonesia and Egypt and promote progress in the digital sector of both countries," he concluded.

In the bilateral meeting, Minister of Communication and Information Technology Budi Arie Setiadi was accompanied by Director General of Public Information and Communication Prabunindya Revta Revolusi, Secretary of the Directorate General of Public Information and Communication Mediodecci Lustarini, Director of Public Communication Partnership Governance Hasyim Gautama, and Director of Political, Legal, and Human Rights Information and Communication Marroli J. Indarto.

Meanwhile, Egyptian ICT Minister Amr Talaat was accompanied by the Egyptian Ambassador to Indonesia Yasser Elshemy, Assistant Minister for ICT Strategy and Implementation Shereen Ahmed Awad Elguindy, and Director of International Relations Samah (Atia) Aziz.

IN