An interview with the former Tunisian Economy Minister Dr. Reda Al-Saeedi

Syriatimes:” What are the intersections of digital transformation between Syria and Tunisia?”

 

In both  countries  digital transformation aims to improve economic performance and competition between economic sectors.

 

There are some difficulties facing us in terms of technology infrastructure, in addition to the fact that Syria suffers from an economic blockade that impedes progress and  speedy of completion of the digital transformation project.

 

Syria and Tunisia are similar in terms of university qualification and human resources to a large extent. We made achievements in technical projects in 2006-2007.

 

Syria suffered from terrorism and that limited Syria’s development of digital systems, but today Syria has laid the foundation stone to keep pace with technological development.

 

There is a similar strategy in the digital transformation plan, as presented by the Assistant to the Minister of Communications, Engineer Fadia Suleiman, in terms of axes, targeting and the time period for implementing the integrated digital transformation project.

 

Syria Times :”How can one change the traditional concept and replace it with the digital one and spread the culture of digital transformation”

Alsaeedi answered :”When we talk about digital transformation, we talk about a culture of digital transformation in most Arab countries, there is awareness of the importance of technological transformation and changing stereotypes at work.

 

The Internet has become a global language, and all Arab societies have been affected by it and all age groups.

 

In Tunisia, 90 percent of university students use the Internet, but at the country level as a whole, the percentage is estimated at 60 percent.

 

We have a receptive environment for digital transformation and there is a need to be informed of the latest developments in technology

Our responsibility today is to create a mechanism for implementing digital transformation in various institutions and departments

We are facing some obstacles and hurdles   because of the fear of some administrative sectors and institutions of the new development. The employees are accustomed to the traditional system and routine.

 

While the new generation that has kept pace with the rapid development of technology has a great experience and capacity for creativity in this area to change for the better.

 

This generation uses computers instead of paper, corresponds via e-mail and social media, and searches all websites to carry out their research and projects to catch up with the latest results of modern research.

 

The time factor is very important that will allow the new generation to achieve important achievements in the digital transformation project.

Syria Times:” What is the role of the media in spreading the culture of digital transformation and its necessity”.

 

The Tunisian media, in all its public and private sectors, audiovisual and written, is preparing special programs for the necessity of digital transformation, which should be a new culture and an attempt to reduce the gap between the traditional world and the digital world.

 

Reporter by Sanaa Hasan