Intelligent CIO Middle East Issue 08 | Page 6

NEWS UAE TRA signs partnership with Senegal to share best ICT practices The UAE’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Regulatory Authority for Telecommunications and Posts of Senegal as part of TRA’s strategic partnership programme with telecoms regulatory authorities worldwide to share best practices in the sector. The MOU was signed on the sidelines of the 2016 session of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Council being held in Geneva from May 25 to June 2, 2016. The MOU aims to provide a general framework of collaboration for sharing best practices in information and communications technology (ICT) between the two countries, including the identify the mutual programmes and activities to spotlight on the work plan and the means of implementation to achieve the goals set in the agreement. The two countries seek to develop the ICT sector to meet current industry demand and keep pace with new technologies, as well as enable their respective authorities to address the challenges faced by the sector. regulatory tools being developed in both countries, the development of human resources, research and development, and the promotion of commercial activities in the sector. Under the terms of the MOU, both parties will establish a yearly calendar to H.E. Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, TRA’s Director General, said: “The TRA continues to play its role in advancing the UAE’s development in the telecoms sector. As an elected member of the ITU Council, we strive to promote the country’s willingness to participate in joint initiatives which will contribute to ICT development in the region and the world.” The future of payments showcased at Cards & Payments Middle East Cards & Payments Middle East opened its doors at the World Trade Centre in Dubai, where regional and international experts discussed the future of payments in the region. The 17th edition of the event took place on 31 May – 1 June 2016. Inaugurated by H.E. Sami Al Qamzi, Director General, Dubai Department of Economic Development, the conference hosted over 150 keynote speakers and included topics like how to ensure that physical, online and mobile transactions remain customer centric and secure in today’s digital world. The event, which this year drew more than 10,000 visitors, witnessed many launches and announcements on the day of its opening, including a strategic partnership between Emirates Islamic, Abu Dhabi Government Ministry of Interior, SAAED Traffic System and Network Intelligent Payment Solutions (NIPS) on next generation digital services kiosks, as part of the UAE’s drive on smart initiatives. Eric Claudel, President Middle East & Africa at Gemalto said: “Driven by a generation who have grown up in a world of 24/7 connectivity, 6 INTELLIGENTCIO customers today expect instant one-click fulfilment across all areas of their lives including banking and payments. They expect seamless transactions that require minimal thought and input, but also want to be treated as individuals with the freedom to shape banking and payment products and services to suit their lifestyles. Events like Cards & Payments Middle East provide a platform to bring together leaders in this space, to share best practice and give insight into the latest technologies set to take the region by storm.” Avanza Solutions, a gold sponsor of the event, also launched some exciting products changing the banking and retail industries including Novus-xcite, a next generation ATM interface empowering the region’s banks to provide enhanced customer engagement through their self-service channels. www.intelligentcio.com