Page 75 - SAMENA Trends - May-June 2022

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Minister Highlights Morocco's Public Service Digitization Strategy in IMF-

WB Meetings

Minister of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform Ghita According to the World Bank, developing economies have adopted
Mezzour highlighted Morocco's public service digitization strategy, innovative digital solutions that enable economic transformation
which focuses on inclusion and trust between citizens and the and put them on a path to green, resilient, and inclusive growth.
administration. Speaking at a panel held as part of meetings Private and public investments in digital solutions bring essential
between the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World services to the poorest, create jobs, strengthen small and medium-
Bank (WB), Mezzour said that "Morocco's New Development Model sized enterprises, facilitate trade and services, and build resilience
advocates digitization for all public services." This digitization will to shocks. The IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings bring together
allow citizens "to access [public services] in a simple and transparent finance and development ministers, central bankers, private sector
way without having to physically visit administration offices," she leaders, civil society organizations, and academic experts in the
explained at this virtual event on digital revolution. The Moroccan U.S. capital April 18-24. Discussions will focus on global issues
minister further highlighted the major role of digital transformation such as the world economic situation, poverty reduction, economic
in the socio-economic development of the Kingdom, in accordance development and aid effectiveness.
with the enlightened vision of HM King Mohammed VI. She added
that her department works closely with various administrations to
accompany them in the development of their digital vision, simplify
their procedures and achieve a digital transition that places the
citizen at the center of its action. Mezzour also highlighted the
progress of the Kingdom in terms of infrastructure of information
technology and communication (ICT), indicating that Morocco is in
the Top 3 of African countries with the best ICT infrastructure. The
event, which was attended by the Spanish Secretary of State for
Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence, Carme Artigas Brugal, and
the Minister of Education and Science of Mongolia, Enkh-Amgalan
Luvsantseren, focused on the contribution of digital technologies
to growth dynamics, productivity, inclusion and resilience.

Bhutan Confirms Import of 10Gbps Bandwidth from Bangladesh

reported that a technical team had carried Akhaura-Agartala point. India has decided
out a survey on the economic feasibility of to double the import of the 10 Gbps internet
importing internet bandwidth. The team bandwidth from Bangladesh to boost
has identified an economically feasible internet connectivity in its north-eastern
route to import the bandwidth - starting states. Earlier, Bangladesh Submarine
from Bangladesh's Akhaura, the optical Cable Company started to export 10
fiber cable will enter Bhutan's Samdrup Gbps of bandwidth to Tripura on February
Jongkhar through Guwahati in India. In this 08, 2016, under a four-year contract.
process, Bangladesh's job is to bring the Bangladesh used to earn around Tk100
cable up to Akhaura - the rest is Bhutan's million per year by exporting bandwidth
responsibility to take the bandwidth to their to India. However, India discontinued
country, added Mr. Jabbar. About the price, the import in February 2020. Later, in
Bhutan has confirmed the import of 10 Managing Director (MD) of Bangladesh November last year, Bangladesh resumed
Gbps (Gigabits per second) of internet Submarine Cable Company Ltd, AKM the export of internet bandwidth to Tripura.
bandwidth from Bangladesh. "The Habibur Rahman, said his company At present, Bangladesh has a total capacity
discussion has been going on for the last had offered a "friendly price" to Bhutan. to provide 3,345.65 Gbps of bandwidth
few years. Today, Bhutan has accepted our However, he refused to disclose the price whereas the domestic demand is 2,496.48
proposal; a formal process will begin soon," for now. Currently, Bhutan is importing Gbps. Bangladesh would be able to export
Posts and Telecommunications Minister bandwidth from India. As India is charging bandwidth despite increasing demand at
Mustafa Jabbar told The Financial Express. too high a price, Bhutan has turned to home as Bangladesh is going to launch
Talks are on to export bandwidth to a Bangladesh. India also has taken 10 Gbps a third submarine cable with more than
number of countries, including Malaysia, of bandwidth for the Northeastern state 13,000 Gbps capacity.
said the Minister. Bhutanese media earlier of Tripura from Bangladesh through the

75 MAY-JUNE 2022