President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi met a ministerial delegation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday. The two sides agreed on enhancing bilateral relations, focusing on exchanging innovative experiences, to develop governmental institutions. The UAE delegation included Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, minister of cabinet affairs and the future, Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, minister of state for happiness, Nasser bin Thani Juma Al Hamli, minister of human resources. The delegation conveyed to President Al-Sisi the appraisal of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan the president of the UAE, his Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi of Egypt's efforts to promote stability and peace in the Arab world, stressing UAE's keenness to continue developing and strengthening the joint cooperation between the two countries across all fields. Moreover, Al-Sisi stressed the importance of raising awareness and building the capacity of Arab citizens, to address the growing challenges facing the Arab region. Adding that it is of extreme importance to promote creativity, and talents to enhance innovation, as the most important means of comprehensive and sustainable development. Furthermore, Al-Sisi emphasised the state's keenness to continue the comprehensive economic and social reform programme, to best serve the Egyptian citizens and enhance their quality of life. Ahead of the meeting with the president, the UAE delegation attended the Government Excellence Conference, which kicked off on Tuesday, supported by the government of the UAE, aiming to modernize government's work, activate a strategic partnership, and facilitate the exchange of experience between the two countries. On the other hand, Ashraf Abdel Hafiz, assistant secretary for databases of government at the Ministry of Planning, said that at least 80% of government services will be smart services by the fiscal year 2018/19, which will improve Egypt's ranking in the competitiveness index. Abdel Hafiz statement came on the side-lines of the second day of the conference, where he pointed out that the number of government services provided through mobile applications it will reach 30 services in the next week, up from 13 services currently.
