Briefs

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Empowering the blind

AN ATTEMPT at integrating the visually impaired into the job market has been made by the Information and Communication Technology for Development in the Arab Region (ICTDAR).

The new initiative, entitled the Information and Communication Technology for Arab Blind (ACTARB), is aimed at training blind people at using tailored computer applications in order to find job opportunities and become more efficiently connected to the labour market.

The regional initiative is the product of cooperation between ICTDAR, the Egyptian Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications, two private sector companies and a non-governmental organisation.

ICTDAR is an affiliate of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

"The project is considered one of the effective tools of human development in the region," Nagat Rushdi, ICTDAR's regional coordinator said, adding that the plan will not only help the blind get acquainted with computer applications but will also enable them to use the information they get to find jobs and improve their standard of living.

The project includes the setting up of an information technology centre in Egypt. The centre is the second in the region. The first opened in Syria last year.

Investor support

LAST week the Industry Modernisation Centre's (IMC) executive director signed protocols with the chairmen of 10 business associations, including those in Cairo, the 6th of October industrial zone, Qalioubiya, Assiut, Sohag and Qena. Under the protocol the IMC will provide LE600 million to investor associations.

Rachid Mohamed Rachid, minister of foreign trade and industry, attended the signing. The protocol, he said, aims to help boost industrial growth to five per cent this year, as opposed to the modest 2.7 per cent recorded last year.

"We hope to be able to grow by 10 per cent within the coming few years," Rachid added.