World Bank outline their strategy for the digital transformation of Iraq at IBBC Tech Forum event

[claud39]

World Bank outline their strategy for the digital transformation of Iraq at IBBC Tech Forum event

18th May 2020

In a detailed and insightful video call to IBBC members and Iraq’s Tech community, the World Bank’s Alexandre Laure, provided an extensive exposition and response to his latest report in the Iraq Monitor on ‘Laying the Foundations for a New Economy in Iraq: Digital Transformation’. You can read the full report here.
http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/446201588465646751/pdf/Iraq-Economic-Monitor-Navigating-the-Perfect-Storm-Redux.pdf

Supported by IBBC panel members, Ismail Maraqa, Chair ME Region PWC, and Mohammed Khudairi, Partner Khudairi group and CEO Iraq Tech Ventures, Mr Laure, explained how the five pillars to his strategy can be adopted by the Government of Iraq and the wider private sector, through sixteen specific activities.

Members raised a number of questions around data management, adoption of cashless tech in banks, encouraging the big tech companies to Iraq, risk and investment regulations, the education and encouragement of public adoption of the cashless economy and how to ensure the GOI adopts and implements these plans. Alexander also suggested the World Bank is supporting Government all the way to deliver the transformation, and will be investing in pilot projects to demonstrate success.

Please see the recording of this session here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thIW1VpjYao&feature=youtu.be

The next IBBC Tech forum event is on E Government. Dates to be confirmed.
For more information and to sign up for the talks, please contact london@webuildiraq.org


https://iraqbritainbusiness.org/news/world-bank-outline-their-strategy-for-the-digital-transformation-of-iraq-at-ibbc-tech-forum-event

[claud39]

Iraq Economic Monitor Navigating the Perfect Storm (Redux) 




With a Special Focus on Laying the Foundation for a New Economy in Iraq: Digital Transformation


SPRING 2020 With a Special Focus on Laying the Foundation for a New Economy in Iraq: Digital Transformation Middle East and North Africa Region 



Conclusion 


The WBG and the GoI have jointly identified priority reform areas that have the strongest potential for achieving the objectives of 1) private-sector-led diversification and 2) reforming governance and promoting private-sector participation in selected productive sectors that can subsequently boost Iraq’s participation in the DE. These priority reform areas cut across all five elements of the DE framework and are meant to boost accountability, transparency, and trust. 

Transitioning Iraq towards a resilient and inclusive DE will require economic reforms and longer-term development priorities along the five DE pillars: ensuring affordable access to high-speed Internet, achieving widespread adoption of cashless payments, delivering digital government services and improving access to data, upskilling young Iraqis with technological know-how, and scaling up the digital entrepreneurship ecosystem. 


The proposed short- and medium-term improvements below are prioritized by promoting actions with the highest potential to keep Iraq on track with its commitment to boosting its DE across the five pillars. 

These eighteen (18) critical recommendations are also included in the Strategic Note on Priority Reform Areas (aka “Iraq White Paper”):



• Immediate- to short-term measures: 


1) removing restrictions on private operators to build, own, and operate domestic and international fiber infrastructure; 


2) promulgating the Payment Systems Law to facilitate digital payments; 

3) providing a timetable to update the 2012–15 e-Gov Strategy and Action Plan for a paperless government;

 4) building confidence with online disclosure of information on public tenders and contract awards, starting with major transactions, and allowing for public feedback;

 5) mandating startups and tech companies registration to select eligible support structures;

 6) adopting a national law on private equity and venture capital funds;

 7) establishing a Seed Capital Fund; and 

8) in partnership with the private sector, piloting digital training programs for youth to increase their access to digital wage employment opportunities such as online freelancing, microwork, telework, outsourcing, etc.


• Short- to medium-term measures:

 9) allocating 4G spectrum; 


10) developing and implementing PPPs in the rebuilding of critical fiber infrastructure to achieve 10 percent fiber connectivity by 2023; 

11) rolling out National ID cards,

 12) strengthening the existing cash payment systems through upgrading technologies for improved governance and efficiency;

 13) developing regulations to implement the Payment Systems Law; 

14) reforming the curriculum for digital skills across the education spectrum, ranging from primary to tertiary institutions, including TVETs;

 15) introducing programs that provide demand-driven digital training opportunities for youths; 

16) establishing an electronic system for e-visa issuance to attract foreign investors, 

17) streamlining current legal requirements to start a business;

 18) addressing government accountability in delivering services such as simple e-government tools (example: a mobile-based citizen feedback platform)



http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/446201588465646751/pdf/Iraq-Economic-Monitor-Navigating-the-Perfect-Storm-Redux.pdf

[claud39]

18 05 2020 Tech Webinar





May 18, 2020


















IBBC Tech Webinar with Alexandre Laure, Author of the World Bank's Iraq monitor report outlining “Laying the Foundations for a New Economy in Iraq: Digital Transformation” Panelists: Ismail Maraqa, Chairman of the ME Region Board, Country Senior Partner, PwC Mohammed Khudairi, CEO of Iraq Tech Ventures and Partner Khudairi group Alexandre Laure, Senior Private Sector Specialist, World Bank Chaired by Ashley Goodall - Marketing Consultant, IBBC







https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thIW1VpjYao&feature=youtu.be

[claud39]

IBBC hold an Online Meeting with Kamel Braham, World Bank

21st May 2020

On Wednesday 20th May, IBBC hosted an online meeting with Kamel Braham, Human Development Programme Leader at the World Bank. Kamel alongside with Nathalie Lahire, a Senior Economist in the Education Global Practice in the South Asia Region of the World Bank, presented the World Bank’s findings on Education & Training in Iraq.
 
After the presentation Professor Mohammed Al Uzri, Chair of the IBBC Education, Training and Heritage Sector table, moderated a discussion between Kamel and IBBC Members. 
 
Please see the WB presentation shown at the meeting below:
World Bank support to Iraq (05202020)

https://secureservercdn.net/160.153.138.177/p40.b46.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/World-Bank-suppport-to-Iraq-05202020.pdf

https://iraqbritainbusiness.org/news/ibbc-hold-an-online-meeting-with-kamel-braham-world-bank