By ; Bakinam Khaled 

Minister of Communications and Information Technology Rafaat Hendy has met with Governor of Matrouh Mohamed Al-Zamloot to review the progress of ongoing ICT projects across the governorate, as well as achievements in institutional development and digital transformation.

They also discussed cooperation on developing digital infrastructure, enhancing telecommunications services, and expanding access to digital services, thereby improving the quality of services delivered to citizens and supporting development efforts in the governorate.

The meeting covered key achievements in implementing the digital institutional development plan in Matrouh. The plan is designed to prepare government institutions and employees for digital transformation. It encompasses upgrading IT infrastructure, automating government services, implementing digital skills development and capacity-building programs for government employees, as well as raising digital awareness among citizens.

During the meeting, the ICT Minister emphasized the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology’s (MCIT) commitment to harnessing technology to serve society by developing digital infrastructure and expanding ICT projects nationwide. Hendy said MCIT is advancing a nationwide digital capacity-building framework covering citizens of all age groups, including in Matrouh. He highlighted MCIT’s Telemedicine Initiative in Matrouh as a practical example of how technology can help modernize healthcare, improve service quality, and expand access to medical consultations and services, particularly for citizens in remote areas.

Hendy added that digital infrastructure development and expanded digital service delivery are helping Matrouh serve citizens more efficiently, while boosting its appeal as a destination for tourism and investment. He confirmed that MCIT will continue working with Matrouh Governorate to complete ongoing digital transformation and institutional development projects, upgrade digital infrastructure, and build digital capabilities, thus supporting the governorate's development goals and improving services for citizens.

For his part, Al-Zamloot emphasized that the telecommunications sector is a key pillar of modern development, given the growing reliance on digital services and technological transformation. He underscored the importance of providing reliable, high-quality telecom and internet services, particularly in densely populated and remote areas, to support the education, healthcare, investment, tourism, and digital government sectors, and to make these services more accessible to citizens.

Al-Zamloot praised the fruitful cooperation among the governorate, MCIT, the National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA), and mobile network operators (MNOs), describing it as a model for coordinated efforts among state institutions to support development and improve service delivery, particularly in underserved areas.

He reaffirmed the governorate's commitment to providing the necessary support and coordination for telecom projects, including allocating suitable sites in line with applicable laws and regulations. This cooperation, he added, will help advance the national digital transformation agenda, strengthen technological infrastructure, support sustainable development, and expand access to modern telecom services across Matrouh's cities, districts, and communities.

The meeting also reviewed the Telemedicine Initiative in Matrouh. The project digitally connects health units in remote areas with university hospitals and hospitals affiliated with the Ministry of Health, allowing patients to benefit from the expertise of leading physicians and consultants while saving patients time and effort. Discussions also addressed the need to expand telecom services in underserved areas and the planned expansion of fiber-optic services.