" ... 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.
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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."
Opening speech 2008
Amr Shawki
Cardex event chairman
Egypt, Middle East and Africa
6th Digital Assurance Exhibition and Conference
Cairo International Convention Center
25-27 May 2008
