Morocco and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) share the same ambition and determination to promote the knowledge economy to meet the aspirations of Arab and African youth, Director General of Digital Dubai Authority, Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, said on Wednesday in Marrakech.
Speaking at the opening of the second edition of "Gitex Africa Morocco", Al Mansoori emphasized that Morocco is driven by a strong will to position itself at the forefront of the world market, thanks to its rich heritage, potential and capacities.
Morocco is constantly determined to consolidate its openness and its interactions with global experiences, he added, noting in this regard that Morocco and the UAE are steadily strengthening their ties of friendship and cooperation.
He added that the digital transformation process in Morocco and the United Arab Emirates has been underway since the early 2000s, noting that today's world is undergoing major changes and has become a small village, hence the importance of forging ahead in "the fight for sustainable development that we all share.”
He also called for greater Arab and African cooperation in Artificial Intelligence, Big Data and the development of modern strategies based on new technologies.
For his part, Lacina Koné, Director General of Smart Africa, said that this flagship high-tech event is of crucial importance in that it brings together African leaders and public and private technology players with the common goal of ensuring the digital transformation of Africa, and thus the prosperity and progress of Africans.
He said that Africa is called upon not only to adopt new technologies, but also to contribute to creating and developing technological innovation ecosystems to support the continent's socio-economic development.
The 2nd edition of Gitex Africa Morocco kicked off in Marrakech on Wednesday, with the participation of over 1,500 exhibitors from more than 130 countries.
The opening ceremony of this event, placed under the High Patronage of HM King Mohammed VI, was marked by the presence of the Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch, several members of the Government, and prominent figures from various backgrounds.
Initiated by Kaoun International, the international subsidiary of Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), and supported by the Digital Development Agency under the authority of the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administration Reform, the exhibition is the largest tech and start-up show in Africa, with the participation of world-renowned experts and specialists, as well as political decision-makers.
