Qatar Smart (TASMU) Program Hosts a German Trade Delegation
Doha, Qatar The Smart Qatar (TASMU) Program, in partnership with the German Embassy, hosted a trade delegation which included representatives from 20 German businesses. Lead by Dr. Georg Melanin, an official from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, the German delegation included Andreas Berg, German Deputy Ambassador to Qatar; Kathrin Lemke, Representative of the German Industry and Commerce Office in Qatar; Dr. Linda von Delhaes-Guenther, Managing Director of AHP International; in addition to representatives from leading German businesses in the software development, cybersecurity, information management, engineering technologies, radar manufacturing, biosensors, motion sensors, armored vehicle design, and smart firefighting systems sectors. The German delegation was briefed on the initiatives and achievements of the TASMU program, a flagship initiative under the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. The session also covered the unique investment opportunities available as part of the TASMU program. The two sides discussed ways to enhance cooperation in the field of communications and information technology. The recently launched TASMU platform, which is a key tool for developing smart and innovative solutions, was also presented. The platform regulates and integrates all services across TASMU’s five priority sectors: healthcare, environment, transport, logistics, and sports. It provides the necessary data for innovators to develop applications, or test and market their smart solutions. It further serves as a comprehensive library for users, enabling them to find the applications or technologies they need through a one-stop shop approach. Commenting on the visit, Her Excellency Reem Al-Mansoori, Assistant Undersecretary for Digital Society Development Sector at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, said: "We are pleased to host the German delegation and discuss opportunities for cooperation between organizations in Qatar and Germany. We always strive to enhance cooperation and exchange experiences with various countries, while building strong relationships and long-term partnerships with leading international companies from various sectors. Our goal is to improve the quality of life for residents in Qatar and accelerate our path towards sustainable economic diversification by developing smart solutions that contribute to achieving Qatar National Vision 2030.” She added: "We look forward to benefiting from all global and local expertise to help build a smart Qatar and transform the country into a regional hub for information technology and the development of advanced technologies. We are optimistic about the results of the meeting with the German delegation, and we look forward to further cooperation in the near future." The German delegation’s visit is part of the efforts led by TASMU Digital Valley (TDV), one of the main initiatives under the Smart Qatar Program. TDV is an advanced and innovative platform that links and integrates various sectors and connects entrepreneurs, startups, investors, academics, and international companies. It aims to enhance cooperation with multinational companies and advanced technology firms to provide smart solutions that contribute to the development of TASMU’s priority sectors. TASMU is currently developing more than 100 smart solutions that help address major challenges on a national level. Three smart solutions were already launched in 2020 and 2021 in the healthcare and environment sectors, and the program recently launched the third batch of tenders for smart solutions that include the development of seven new solutions. The German delegation was also briefed by Qatar’s National Cybersecurity Agency on the country’s cybersecurity efforts. The presentation covered the key elements from the National Cybersecurity Strategy and the efforts undertaken by various sectors in the country to elevate Qatar’s cybersecurity systems. The session also highlighted the Qatar Computer Emergency Response Team (Q-CERT), which was launched in 2006, and the initiatives they launched to share technical expertise and build national capacity. The discussion also covered Q-CERT’s participation in various international organizations in an effort to build partnerships and sustain best practices in cybersecurity and data privacy. Representatives from the National Cybersecurity Agency highlighted the series of National Cyber Drills (The STAR-X series) which is an annual exercise that was held for eight years in a row with participation from more than 80 national entities and 500 participants. This has contributed to the identification of different sector capabilities, to test and develop their readiness to respond to cyber-attacks. The National Cybersecurity Agency was established in accordance with the Amiri Decision No. 01 of 2021, as a step towards uniting the various efforts of all government entities in this area.
