Intelligent CIO Africa Issue 13 | Page 7

NEWS Canon holds annual conference for partners from the Middle East and Africa Africa, highlighting Canon’s achievements, initiatives and strategic growth priorities for the future. Anurag Agrawal, Managing Director for Canon in the region, said: “We are looking to the future as it eminently approaches and we want to equip our partners with the best possible agile and seamless solutions that deliver maximum efficiency levels, increase productivity and enhance their competitive advantage.” C anon has hosted a gathering of its regional partners from the Middle East and Africa where they witnessed the latest innovative imaging products and solutions that are to transform and support the growth of their businesses in a fast-paced, technologically-enabled future. In line with promoting open communication, new possibilities and extended horizons, the conference featured an exhibition demonstrating the full Canon Eco system range. Held in Dubai over two days, the Annual Partner Conference aimed at further cementing Canon’s role as a partner of choice for organisations within the evolving world of business. The event, was attended by over 87 partners from 12 countries from throughout the Middle East and Thus, allowing its partners to experience Canon’s journey and encounter how these technologies can be used in the future. The company produces multi-function and production printers all supported by a range of value added services. ///////////////// Egyptian ICT minister meets representatives of start- ups participating at Consumer Electronics Show I CT minister Yasser ElKady has met with representatives from Egyptian technology start- up companies. The minister received a delegation from the General Division of the Digital Economy and Technology of the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce. The group included the representatives of nine Egyptian start-ups that are due to participate as exhibitors in the first Egyptian pavilion at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) which will be held in the USA on January 9. ElKady highlighted the state’s interest in empowering young people in ICT so Egypt www.intelligentcio.com can become a regional hub for technology. The nine start-ups delivered presentations, including AvidBeam which specialises in industrial intelligence and data analysis, especially video analysis in fields such as driverless cars, health and security. Also represented were: Blank Ap which specialises in high speed computing via mobiles; BioBusiness, a specialist in the field of the Internet of Things, especially for medical devices; DreamSoft which specialises in developing the applications of participatory economics and digitisation of logistics; and Veditori which is specialises in assistive technology for visual impairment. The ICT Minister discussed with company representatives, the technological solutions presented, their business models and how the state could benefit from the use of these applications. INTELLIGENTCIO 7