Latest news with #smartgovernment
LBCI
03-06-2025
- Business
- LBCI
From Smart Government conference, PM Salam calls digital transformation essential for reform and trust-building
Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam delivered a speech at the closing session of the 'Smart Government: Diaspora Experts for Lebanon' conference, held under the patronage of President Joseph Aoun at Phoenicia Hotel. He emphasized that 'digital transformation is not a luxury for Lebanon, but a necessity. It is a reform that directly serves citizens—saving time, reducing corruption, and improving service quality. It is also a prerequisite for economic growth: without digital governance, there can be no investment that meets our ambitions. Without transparency, there can be no trust, and without modernization, there are no opportunities worthy of our youth to build their future in their homeland.' He pointed out that 'to succeed, full coordination between ministries and public administrations is essential. Lebanon cannot remain outside the digital world. We are determined to be part of the regional and global digital economy and to reconnect Lebanon to the knowledge and production networks of the 21st century.' He announced that 'Lebanon intends to join the Digital Cooperation Organization and has begun taking the necessary legal steps to do so, reaffirming its commitment to genuine integration into the regional and international digital economy.' He added: 'Shortly, we aim to launch digital projects that are financially viable and self-sustaining. We also seek to build a unified and centralized governmental digital infrastructure that ensures coordination among different administrations and enhances efficiency and good governance.' He stressed that 'digital transformation is a gateway to reforming state institutions and restoring citizens' trust in them. Let this conference serve as a genuine starting point, not just a ceremonial event. We have much work ahead, but we also have the tools and partners. Let's begin now.'
The National
03-06-2025
- Business
- The National
'It's now or never': Lebanon looks to digital transformation to revive economy and curb corruption
Lebanon 's President Joseph Aoun has pledged to expand digitalisation in the public sector as part of a broader drive to make government more efficient, revive the economy and tackle corruption. The country must be "open to regional partnerships and ready for foreign investment", he said at the Smart Government: Diaspora Experts for Lebanon conference in Beirut. 'The smart government is always postponed so that citizens' paperwork remains hostage to the whims of the corrupt,' Mr Aoun said. 'We want Lebanon to be open to regional partnerships and ready for foreign investment. The digitalisation project is not just a government initiative, it is a national project and a sovereign decision for a better future." The conference brought together senior officials, business leaders and experts from the Lebanese diaspora to discuss the country's digital strategy, including its policy for artificial intelligence and the role of public-private partnerships in innovation. 'Now is the right time because we are living in the era of global digital transformation. If Lebanon doesn't catch up, it risks missing the moment,' said Rabih El Amine, chairman of the Lebanese Executives Council, which organised the event. He added that Lebanon has reached a turning point for reform with the election of Mr Aoun and appointment of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam after more than two years of political vacuum, and 14 months of deadly conflict with Israel. 'We now have a newly elected President and a government in formation. Both have pledged in their initial statements to endorse and support the establishment of a smart government in Lebanon,' Mr El Amine said Political will and legal reforms are essential for Lebanon to initiate its digital transformation, he said. 'International partners are ready to help. We're here to help the government build the needed infrastructure for digital transitions," he said. "But if parliament does not modernise laws to align with these strategies, then we go nowhere." Lebanon's Minister of the Displaced and Minister for Technology and Artificial Intelligence, Kamal Shehadi, outlined his flagship initiative at the conference. Known as LEAP, the project is aimed at driving digital reform, transforming government operations and the broader economy, and developing AI infrastructure. Under the initiative, AI is expected to contribute 10 per cent of the country's GDP by 2035, supported by expanded broadband and digital infrastructure, generating an economic boost of $3 billion to $4 billion. It also aims to attract $500 million in AI investment and double the AI workforce. 'This is our last chance,' Nadine Shawi, an adviser to the Ministry of Technology and Artificial Intelligence, told The National. 'The time is now. We've also established a digital authority to oversee everything related to AI, and we're actively co-ordinating with other ministries. This is the right moment. We're making progress and now is the time to accelerate development.' Economic challenge Since 2019, Lebanon has faced what the World Bank described as one of the worst financial crises since the mid-19th century, with the local currency losing more than 90 per cent of its value and public services collapsing. The financial meltdown, which has resulted in losses exceeding $70 billion, has left banks nearly insolvent and locked many depositors out of their savings. One in three Lebanese is living in poverty, according to a World Bank report released last year. 'After the 2019 financial crash, investors will think 10 times before putting money in. The government needs to create the right conditions for investment,' Jihad Bitar, chief executive of Siren Analytics, a Beirut company that specialises in digital transformation, told The National. Lebanon faces a long road to economic recovery, with numerous constraints, Economy Minister Amer Bsat said at the conference. 'It's clear that we do not have a functioning banking sector capable of seizing emerging opportunities, including those in Syria,' he added. The downfall of former Syrian president Bashar Al Assad in December and the lifting of western sanctions have renewed international investor interest in the country, although Beirut has not yet revived its historically close trade ties with Damascus. 'Our private sector is not competitive. We need to lower the cost of production, particularly electricity,' Mr Bsat added. He also pointed to the country's challenging business environment. 'Today, it takes just two hours to open a company in London. In Lebanon, the relationship between the private and public sectors is not sound,' he said. 'One of the solutions is digitalisation. The implementation of e-government can help streamline procedures and facilitate interaction with the state."
LBCI
03-06-2025
- Business
- LBCI
President Joseph Aoun calls for bold digital transformation at tech forum
President Joseph Aoun on Tuesday called for Lebanon to fully embrace digital transformation, saying the country can no longer afford to remain on the sidelines of modernity. Speaking at the 'Smart Government: Diaspora Experts for Lebanon' conference, Aoun said, 'I came here today to call for digitization in Lebanon to become a forward-looking vision for the good of all. We've made our decision — it's no longer acceptable to remain outside the digital age or stuck on the margins of progress.' He stressed that the goal of a smart government is to serve every citizen, adding, 'We want Lebanon to open up to regional and international partnerships and become a qualified destination for foreign investment.' Highlighting a key challenge, Aoun noted, 'In Lebanon, we have many statistics but little digitization. Let's correct that imbalance so our country can reclaim its standing as a key player and together build a digital republic.'
Zawya
02-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Sharjah welcomes high-level Korean delegation to boost cooperation in AI and digital transformation
Sharjah: The Emirate of Sharjah welcomed a high-level official delegation from the Seoul AI Foundation and the Seoul Metropolitan Government, in a strategic visit organised by Sharjah Digital Department (SDD). The visit aimed to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the UAE and South Korea in the realms of digital transformation and innovation. The delegation's visit focused on exploring avenues for deepening collaboration between SDD and the Seoul AI Foundation, with a particular emphasis on future partnership opportunities in artificial intelligence and smart government services. During the visit, His Excellency Sheikh Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Director General of Sharjah Digital Department, welcomed the Korean delegation at a meeting held at the House of Wisdom. The meeting was attended by His Excellency Rashid Ali Al Ali, Director General of Sharjah Communications Technologies Authority, His Excellency Shin Donghyup, Consul of the Republic of Korea for Science and ICT in Dubai and Eng. Majid Almadhloum, Sharjah Digital Department Advisor. The visiting delegation included Ok-hyun Kang, General Director of the Digital City Bureau at the Seoul Metropolitan Government; Jung Yoon Lee, External Relations Manager at the Digital Policy Division; Man Gi Kim, President of the Seoul AI Foundation (SAF); Seong Hwan Ju, Head of the AI Innovation & Business Division at SAF; and Boris J. Kim, Senior Manager of the Policy Cooperation Team at SAF. During the meeting, both parties discussed opportunities for collaboration on joint AI-driven projects, exchanged expertise in smart city development, and explored standout initiatives and best practices from both parties in digital transformation and digital infrastructure. His Excellency Sheikh Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi underscored the significance of the visit as a key milestone in establishing strategic partnerships with one of the world's leading cities in digital transformation and artificial intelligence. He welcomed the opportunity to exchange insights, experiences, and expertise with the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul AI Foundation, stating that such collaboration 'represents the most effective path toward achieving sustainable development that benefits our communities and aligns with our shared aspirations.' His Excellency expressed optimism that the visit would lay the groundwork for long-term collaboration between Sharjah and Seoul, opening the door to innovative projects and expanded opportunities in AI and smart city development. For his part, Man Gi Kim highlighted Sharjah's importance as a strategic partner in advanced technology sectors, stating: 'We regard Sharjah as one of Seoul's key partner cities in the field of digital and AI-driven urban innovation, and that is why we have extended an official invitation to Sharjah Digital Department to participate in Smart Life Week 2025 in Seoul. We trust this occasion will further solidify and elevate the longstanding relationship between the Seoul AI Foundation and Sharjah Digital Department into a more strategic and action-oriented collaboration.' Smart Life Week 2025 is recognised as one of Asia's premier innovation platforms and South Korea's leading technology events, underscoring the Korean delegation's acknowledgement of Sharjah's pioneering role in digital transformation. Following the meeting, the organising team guided the delegation on a field tour of key urban development sites across the emirate, including University City and the Aljada project. The tour showcased Sharjah's advanced smart infrastructure and urban planning efforts, forming the backbone of its ongoing digital transformation journey. The visit concluded at the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP), where the delegation explored cutting-edge research initiatives and smart labs driving innovation and entrepreneurship, most notably the SOI Lab, which focuses on artificial intelligence applications. This strategic visit reaffirms Sharjah's commitment to fostering global partnerships and elevating its international leadership in digital transformation, aligning with its vision to build a sustainable, innovative digital city.
