" ... It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all today to CARDEX 2008, the
region's sixth Middle East and Africa Smart Card Exhibition and Conference.
Since its inception in 2003, CARDEX has been a major driving force in introducing
and developing this industry within our region. Today, CARDEX is a major global
partner and focal point for this booming industry. I am proud that this has been
achieved through our steadily growing global network of partners and through
the unique attributes of our event.
Our exhibition continues to showcase and facilitate technology transfer and adaptation
in cutting edge fields such as identity management, biometrics, RF-ID and contactless
applications, E-passports and travel documents, banking technology, e-payments
and information security. In parallel, our conference has become one of the leading
world forums and spring boards in the industry, helping international technology
providers and governments from the region forge new and exciting partnerships.
I am proud to say that this phenomenal growth was made possible through the unwavering
support and commitment of the Government of Egypt, represented in our strong
collaboration with the Ministry of State for Administrative Development and the
Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. I am also grateful to the
Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) for its keen support
to this event from the outset.
... Three years ago, from this podium, I called for the establishment of the
first NGO within Egypt, the Association for Smart Card Industries and Applications
(EASCIA) to provide support and networking for this growing industry in our country.
Today, given the growing needs of this industry within the region, I believe
the time is ripe for the founding of a new Arab Association for Digital Assurance
and Smart Solutions. Based in Cairo, this association will be dedicated to promoting
and further developing this industry regionally through spreading awareness,
networking, standardization, capacity building and human resources development,
and the exchange of knowledge. This will be made possible through a broad-based
membership comprising governments, academia and research centers, technology
providers, system integrators, and end-users.
The association will work closely with governments from the region as well as
international development organizations including the League of Arab Nations.
CARDEX 2008 is proud to host the founding meeting that will witness the birth
of this new association. I would like to invite all interested individuals and
organizations to participate in laying the foundations and setting the guiding
principles and mandate for this promising and demand-driven association. For
I believe that your individual experiences, knowledge and networks will collectively
enrich this timely endeavor.
Finally, I would like to thank you all for making CARDEX what it truly is today,
a regional engine of growth with global outreach.
Wishing all our guests a pleasant stay in Cairo, and fruitful deliberations for
all."
