During the 3rd International Conference on Digital Transformation in Damascus Abu-Ghazaleh: Digital Transformation is an Integrated Strategy for Present and Future Survival

DAMASCUS – HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, chairman and founder of Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Global (TAG.Global), participated in the 3rdInternational Conference on Digital Transformation, that has been organized by the Arab Federation for e-Commerce in Damascus, under the title: ‘Syria and Digital Transformation: Opportunities and Challenges’. The conference was also attended by a large number of high-ranking Arab and foreign economic personalities and decision makers.

The conference, which is a periodic, scientific and a professional forum that gathers researchers and experts with decision-makers and investors, aims at enhancing international efforts to help countries’ efforts to achieve digital transformation, to succeed, as well as to shed light on the latest developments in the technology field. The conference held its first session in the United Arab Emirates in 2017, and its second session in Egypt in 2018.

In his opening speech, Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh stressed that digital transformation is ‘inevitable’, warning that the countries that will not be unable to keep pace with digital transformation would be left behind. He further pointed out that transformation should be achieved in three main directions: digital learning, digital economy and digital government, but most importantly, he affirmed, every citizen should know how to manage digital knowledge and its tools.

Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh stated that digital transformation is not just a business nor an e-government, but an integrated plan, expressing his optimism with the shift of the Arab countries towards digital transformation. He therefore proposed to change the name of the Arab Federation for e-Commerce to become the Arab Union for Digital Transformation, considering the fact  that e-commerce is one of the aspects of the digital transformation.

Furthermore, Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh called on decision-makers to develop a comprehensive and coordinated plan for digital transformation and e-governments to be carried out in coordination with traditional governments, pointing out that he is in the process of drafting Arab cooperation agreements on digital transformation.

During the sessions, participants discussed several topics such as the Digital transformation strategy in Syria; its Technologies role in sustainable development and the inevitability of implementation, regarding: opportunities, challenges, policies and indicators in the Arab Region, in addition to the effect of shadow economy, information security, blockchain, e-Payment and e-Commerce and their Impact on the economy; and public-private partnerships as well as monetary and banking policies. 

The conference was attended by HE Mr. Iyad Al Khatib, Minister of Communication and Technology, HE Dr. Mohammad Samer Al Khalil, Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade, HE Dr. Kenan Yaghi, Minister of Finance, Dr. Hazem Karfoul, Governor of Syria’s Central Bank, Eng. Adel Al-Olabi, Governor of Damascus, Dr. Ahmad Abdel Fattah Shehata, the Secretary-General of the Arab Federation for e-Commerce, and representatives of secretary generals of ministries and members of the People's Assembly of Syria, as well as representatives of Arab and foreign embassies in the country.

During the conference, Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh signed his latest book entitled ‘The Inevitable Digital Future…. A World of Smart Cities’ which discusses the technologies he sees as a fundamental pillars in developing real smart cities. The book also highlights the lessons that can be learnt from failed smart city initiatives. It also provides a blueprint that can be used to develop holistic Smart Cities of the future, and discusses a range of supportive elements from governance to citizen awareness that are essential in developing successful smart cities.