Mobile industry great enabler across economies: Etisalat Group CEO

MOSCOW, 14th September, 2021 The mobile industry is becoming a great enabler across economies, by continuing to build partnerships across industries to enable meaningful economic growth, expand employment opportunities, and empowering societies at large, emphasised Hatem Dowidar, CEO, Etisalat Group, at his opening keynote on the first day of the GSMA Mobile 360–Eurasia in Moscow. Dowidar participated in the fourth edition of GSMA Mobile 360–Eurasia with his keynote, followed by a panel discussion on ‘Empowering a Datadriven Society’ with C-level executives from telcos, infrastructure companies and technology providers. Main discussion points focused on how crisis accelerates innovations presents a choice, and is the key to unlocking post crisis growth with technologies such as AI, 5G, Big Data, and IOT shaping the future and transforming lives rapidly, reimagining a more connected society. "The mobile industry has an unrivalled global reach and remains committed to actively working with governments, international institutions across global and regional platforms. Progressive governments play an important role in a data-driven economy, reaping benefits with a robust infrastructure and a much more evolved regulatory environment supporting this advancement,'' he said. "The UAE is a great example; the leadership’s efforts became a beacon for Etisalat and others to work tirelessly to support the country to become one of the top five countries around the world in terms of its technology infrastructure, ICT adoption, and investment in telecom services. This has in turn inspired Etisalat to continue with its investments in building the world’s fastest network and cutting-edge technologies of the future," he added. The GSMA Mobile 360 – Eurasia conference featured case studies and discussions aimed at top-level regional and international decision makers focusing on how to harness new technologies to build and maintain a competitive business advantage, to drive new social and business opportunities, to increase revenue while also ensuring security. The two-day event also saw the participation of ministers, telecom regulators, data protection authorities, identity authorities, and senior representatives from international organisations to discuss the growth of the global digital economy. Discussions will focus on technological breakthroughs that bring solutions with the potential to enrich our everyday lives, and free people from mundane tasks, solving complex problems and generating value and prosperity. which stood at 96% in one week of the joint blitz inspection in Sarah Baartman District in the Eastern Cape. The department on Monday applauded high compliance with labour legislation in the Sunday's River Valley Local Municipality with some concerns that remain. The Provincial Head of department, Nomfundo Douw-jack said that the continued scourge of the employment of illegal immigrants remains a concern, which does not only impacts negatively on law enforcement but also the unemployment rate. "Employees are encouraged to attend the information session as it will help them to understand their rights and responsibilities and be able to report employers who may be noncompliant," Jack said. The joint operation continues this week and will end with an advocacy session meant to empower employees about the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, National Minimum Wage Act, Unemployment Insurance Act, Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act, Immigration Act as well as information about COVID-19 and vaccination. The advocacy sessions will be held on Thursday at Nomathamsanqa Hall in Addo and Mabhida Hall in Kirkwood. The first week of the operations saw a total of 166 inspections being conducted with 79 in the farm sector, 33 in wholesale and retail sector, 16 in the hospitality sector and 38 in miscellaneous. The inspections were conducted in the Addo and Kirkwood areas to ensure that employers in these sectors comply with legislation while employees get the protection of the law and being vaccinated at the place of work. Five compliance orders and one written undertaking were served to non-compliant employers due to underpayment of their employees. A sum of R109 786.77 for underpayment of salaries of employees was recovered from employers who were not paying according to the prescribed rates. The Acting Provincial Chief Inspector, Patiswa Mbongwana, who is also