650 delegates focus on digital services at forum
Manama, June 4, 2014
More than 650 high-level delegates from the world's information and communication technology (ICT) regulatory authorities have gathered in Bahrain to debate best ways to stimulate growth in digital services.
Hosted by the Bahrain Government, under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)'s Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR) 2014, is being held at the Gulf Hotel, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.
The Premier deputised Deputy Premier Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa to preside over the opening which was attended by Minister of State for Telecommunications Affairs Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa and ITU secretary-general Dr Hamadoun I Toure.
As the world's largest specialised gathering of ICT policy makers, the event aims to stimulate debate, knowledge sharing and exchange of best practice among regulators, industry leaders, government policy analysts and other key ICT stakeholders.
The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) of Bahrain is partnering with ITU to host the symposium, which is officially chaired by TRA chairman Dr Mohammed Al Amer.
GSR-14 continues until tomorrow, culminating in a series of regulatory best practice guidelines.
Premier calls for co-operation in key sectors
The way is always paved for co-operation among countries and peoples without obstacles or barriers, however diverse their cultures and origins may be, the Premier said.
He pointed out that co-operation in communications and services boosts political relations among countries.
The Premier was speaking yesterday as he received at Gudaibiya Palace participants in the Global Symposium for Regulators 2014 (GSR14).
He said that the telecommunications sector is a fertile ground for global co-operation and is expected to top investments that support the kingdom's economy.
He highlighted the need to increase co-operation on security of information and telecommunication technology so that countries and people make optimum use of modern technology.
He underscored the government's successful policies in developing the sector to enable it to play a crucial role in boosting the national economy.
He highlighted the government's support for investment in the services sector, particularly the telecommunication field, and keenness to provide facilities for investors, which, he said, has promoted the kingdom as a strategic option for whoever seeking to invest in the legally-protected telecommunications sector.
The Prime Minister affirmed the importance of international forums related to the telecommunications sector in co-ordinating global efforts in this promising sector.
International Telecommunications Union secretary general Dr Toure said that Bahrain had succeeded in making its telecommunications sector among the most developed in the region and at international level thanks to sound policies by the Premier. - TradeArabia News Service
