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IDC Alliance Event Is Set To Bring Together ICT Leaders
The theme of the IDC Alliance event for this year is “BUILD,” and it revolves around several building blocks for attainable future growth.
The Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) sector is driving innovation across the rest of the economic sectors, providing innovative solutions to real-life problems. This innovation is almost always made possible by mutually beneficial partnerships that allow for effective collaboration and quicker identification of opportunities.
International Data Corporation (IDC) is set to bring together ICT leaders from the MEA region at the IDC Alliance flagship event to provide them with unparalleled opportunities to foster solid partner ecosystems and discuss the latest channel and alliance trends.
“Today, technology providers and vendors are presented with a golden opportunity to gain a competitive edge and address the vastly changed needs and demands of customers in a timely and cost-effective manner by seeking out technology and managed services partners,” explains IDC.
The theme of the IDC Alliance event for this year is “BUILD,” and it revolves around the following building blocks for attainable future growth:
- BUILD a sustainable base of new customers.
- BUILD a viable marketing strategy.
- BUILD a long-lasting unique IP.
- BUILD stronger internal practices.
- BUILD a deeper support ecosystem.
“As partners hunt for new customers, strive for increased brand awareness, and realize the need to differentiate, a series of BUILD presentations will unlock many of the most common challenges,” adds IDC.
The event will take place from November 8 to November 10 at the InterContinental Resort Fujairah, UAE, a beachfront property located on the shoreline of the Al Aqah beach and beneath the Hajjar mountains.
After check in, the entire first day of the event will be dedicated to an icebreaker dinner on the beach where shorts and flip-flops are welcome. The second day will start with a quick catch-up and continue with a series of keynote presentations, panel discussions, and more informal networking opportunities. A similar program is also planned for the third day, which ends at 15:00 with a sign-up opportunity for the next IDC Alliance event.
If you would like to attend the event, then you can register on its website. Networkers are required to pay a registration fee of $1,500 USD, which covers all accommodation, conferencing, meals, and activities for the duration of the entire event.
News
Lebanon Ministers Meet Visa Over National Digital Payment Platform
Finance and technology ministers say a comparative study and roadmap will follow before any decision on adopting a model.
Lebanon’s finance and technology ministers met representatives from Visa last week to discuss a proposed unified national digital payment platform for government services, according to a readout from the Ministry of Finance.
The meeting brought together Finance Minister Yassin Jaber, Minister of State for Technology and Artificial Intelligence Kamal Shehadeh, a Visa delegation, and experts from both ministries. Discussion focused on whether Lebanon could establish a single platform through which citizens and institutions would pay taxes, fees, fines and other official transactions electronically, using mobile phones and other digital channels.
The Visa delegation presented examples from countries that have adopted unified government payment platforms, including the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Estonia and Jordan. According to the readout, the examples were presented as having increased collection rates and expanded financial inclusion.
Talks covered settlement mechanisms, direct transfer to the treasury account, financial reconciliation, risk management, cybersecurity, fees, and an operational model that would involve the private sector. The parties agreed to continue technical and institutional consultations, prepare a comparative study, and develop an implementation roadmap before any decision on adopting a model for Lebanon.
Jaber said the Ministry of Finance had already enabled citizens to pay using credit cards and e-wallets through transfer companies, but described the proposed platform as a further step. He framed the development of electronic payment and collection systems as a priority within the ministry’s modernization plan.
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Shehadeh outlined the citizen-facing concept as a single mobile application through which users could settle obligations to ministries, government institutions and other bodies.
“The idea, in short, is that any citizen downloads an application on their mobile phone, through which they can pay all service obligations for all ministries, government institutions, or those owned by the Lebanese state, and others as well, as the platform is not limited only to state institutions,” he said.
Shehadeh added that the platform would not displace banks and money transfer companies that currently provide collection services to the state, calling it complementary to their work.
