Update July 2000: Mediterranean Countries

1. Introduction

The national reports highlight big changes in the private and public sectors that took place during the last 3 months. They consist of the creation of new entities and the nomination of new key persons.

The ESIS Knowledge Base and its accompanying national reports provide numerous key person contacts and organisations that are involved in Information Society development in the Mediterranean area.

This report is a synthesis based only on the changes concerning key persons and organisations reported by ESIS national contractors.

2. Changes over the last three months

2.1 Ministries and governmental organisations.

Governmental bodies and administrations play a major role in a lot of aspects of the Information Society. They are implicated in the national projects. Moreover, they prepare national development programs and they initiate the implementation of key telecommunications and Internet networks. For example, during the last three months, in Malta, the government published a new Telecommunications Law. In Lebanon, the Minister of Economy and Trade presented a programme to encourage electronic commerce called the "EC 2000 Initiative". Lebanon has also been granted a $56,6 million loan by he World Bank to upgrade the education sector.

Among the main changes that have taken place during the last three months, we can stress :

In Algeria, Mr. Ali Younsioui, was appointed secretary of the ministry of P&T. It is worth to notice that Mr Mahieddine Ouhadj, in charge of ISP agreements at the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, recently approved five new ISPs. Among the other key actors involved in the promotion of IS we can mention Mrs. Medebbeb, the Head of the Development Centre of Advanced Technologies (CDTA) and Mr. Ouarets, Director of the Department of Transmission Equipment at the Ministry of P&T. According to the national report, they both recently participated in seminars promoting Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in the country.

In Egypt, among the key governmental organisations influencing the development of the Information Society one can notice in particular the Egyptian Information and Decision Support Center, headed by Mr. Raafat Radway, the Regional Information Technology and Software Engineering Center, headed by Mr. Hisham Eisherif, and the Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics, headed by Mr. Ihab Elwi.

In Jordan, a new government was recently established. Mr Ali Abul Ragheb was appointed as the new Prime Minister. The key ministries dealing with IS development are in particular the Ministry of Telecommunications and Post (headed by Fawwaz Zobi), the Ministry of Trade and Industry (headed by Wasif Azar) and the Ministry of Education (headed by Khalid Touqan). Several changes have taken place also at Jordan Telecom since the recent privatisation of the operator. Recently, Mr. Ma’moun Balqar, the former Director General of Jordan Telecom, replaced Yusuf Mansur at the head of the Telecommunications Regulatory Communications.

In Morocco, Mr Mohamed El Kadiri was appointed as CEO of theNational Telecommunications Regulation Authority (ANRT).

In Malta, the government have made new nominations : Mr. David Spiteri Gingell has been appointed as CEO of the Malta Information Technology and Training Services (MITTS). Mr. Stephen Muscat has been appointed as the new CEO of Maltacom.

In Syria, Mr Obeid, formerly Director General of STE, the telecommunications operator, was appointed as the Minister of Transports. The STE is today headed by Mr Mahommad Maarouf.

In Tunisia, Mr. Rached Bousemma replaced Mr Chaabouni at the head of the SERST.

2.3 Universities and research institutes

Universities and research institutes have a very important role in the generation and the implementation of IS projects.

During the last quarter, in Lebanon, the AUPELF (regrouping French teaching Universities) organised a seminar focused on tele-education. Another seminar on the Communications Technology has taken place at the Lebanese American University.

2.4 Chambers of Commerce & Industry and professional associations

Chambers of Commerce & Industry and professional associations are important actors. Their mission is mainly to inform and support private companies.

It is important to mention the changes made in the PITA (Palestinian Information Technology Association) : the Vice-President, Mr. Ibrahim Barham, formely vice president, replaced Mr. Hamzeh Najjar as the new President of the association.

In Turkey, Mr Burak Cedetas, the general manager of Prizmanet, became the president of the Turkish ISP Association TISSAD.

In Lebanon, the Professional Computing Association (PCA) organised a seminar with high-ranking figures from both public and private IT sector.

2.5 Private Companies

Concerning private companies, one can notice that leading international information technologies equipment suppliers are present in a lot of Mediterranean countries where they have established subsidiaries.

During the last three months, CISCO has opened an Office in Lebanon.

In Turkey, Mr. Lufti Yenel, general manager of Alcatel Teletas, became vice president of Alcatel International.

In Algeria, ANEP-TD Algérie Internet, a new ISP was created. Its general director is Mr. Abdallah Nemer.

2.6 Telecommunications Companies

Telecommunications companies are also key actors in the Information Society as they act as the main promoters and distributors of new technologies.

In Malta, Mobile Telecommunications Limited, Maltacom’s mobile subsidiary, announced it was going to set up a DCS 1800 mobile phone network with Nortel. Datastream Limited, another Maltacom’s subsidiary is to launch fast connections to the Internet using the ADSL technology.