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VIEWPOINT
THE PROMISE OF PARTNERSHIP
A country’s ability to improve its economic situation is inextricably linked with its capacity for scientific and technological innovation. But innovation doesn’t occur in a vacuum. Collaboration and the exchange of ideas are essential to scientific and technological progress.
With this in mind, the intention to increase engagement between the Muslim world and the US regarding science and technology – announced by President Barack Obama in his speech at Cairo University last June – represents an amazing opportunity for Egypt.
The time is clearly ripe for such an effort. In “The Global Competitiveness Report 2009-2010,” released by the World Economic Forum (WEF), Egypt ranked 74th out of 133 in the “innovation” category of the Global Competitiveness Index – scoring 3 out of a possible 7. A country’s ranking in the innovation category depends upon a number of factors, including quality of scientific institutions and capacity for innovation – areas where Egypt ranked 101st and 96th, respectively.
Given the enormous human potential embodied by our population, the level of innovative scientific thought occurring in Egypt is strikingly inadequate. Rectifying the situation will be no easy task, and requires a multipronged effort – an effort that must include players from the private sector, government and civil society. Resources must be redirected and an atmosphere conducive to innovation must be fostered.
Achieving these ambitious goals will require not just looking inward, but also reaching out to potential partners. While increased collaboration with foreign partners should not be confined to the US, the country is undoubtedly a choice partner. In the WEF report, the US ranked first out of the 133 countries surveyed in the innovation category, scoring 5.8 on the seven-point scale – and the potential benefits for Egypt stemming from increased cooperation are limitless.
AmCham clearly must take a part in helping to reap these benefits. As one of the leading Egyptian business organizations, the Chamber has a special role to play in fostering discussion about how best to build partnerships in science and technology – and in helping to facilitate their implementation.
In fact, AmCham has already begun to play this role. Last month, following the arrival in the Middle East of Ahmed Zewail, US science and technology envoy, the Chamber hosted a special breakfast meeting featuring him as a guest speaker. Zewail discussed the topic “Bolstering science and technology partnerships between Egypt and the US: the role of the business community.”
Beyond facilitating discussion of this critical issue, the Chamber has been laboring to address an area vital to improving the state of science and technology in Egypt: education. Over the years, the Chamber’s Education Committee has worked to engage the private sector in helping to resolve the many challenges facing Egypt’s educational system, and we will continue to strive to be of assistance in this regard.
By looking inward and reaching out simultaneously, Egypt has the potential to dramatically increase the quality of scientific and technological work occurring here. While the effort must involve many parties, we at the Chamber will continue to strive to ensure that the private sector does its part.
M. GAMAL MOHARAM
President, AmCham Egypt
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