The World Bank and Gemalto today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to join efforts in supporting social and economic advancement in developing countries, by leveraging innovative information and communication technology (ICT).
This collaboration forms a part of the World Bank's new eTransform Initiative, which was formally launched on April 23rd at a World Bank Spring Meetings event attended by developing country ministers of finance and communications.
This joint effort will provide knowledge sharing with the aim of leveraging Gemalto's international experience in areas such as secure electronic identity and mobile financial services, to help governments gain greater and wider access to best-in-class technology, expertise and practices.
The eTransform Initiative seeks to leverage the power of ICT in developing countries to transform the lives of their citizens by connecting governments with the best experts from around the world. The initiative seeks to fast-track the use of ICT in government projects and in the way services are delivered to citizens and business.
"The impact of ICT on development is profound. It can foster transformational improvements that enable sustainable long-term solutions to some of the most pressing development challenges" said Mohsen Khalil, Director of the World Bank's Global Information and Communication Technologies Department. "The eTransform Initiative marks a change in the way that the World Bank helps developing countries. Rather than offering only our own expertise to countries, this initiative connects countries with the best experts from around the world drawn from governments, the private sector and academia. We welcome Gemalto's expertise and look forward to their contribution in this partnership to help countries foster economic development."
"Gemalto is sincerely proud to be a member of the World Bank's eTransform Initiative, it's a noble social role," commented Olivier Piou, Gemalto's Chief Executive Officer. "Our unrivalled experience and digital security expertise can make a real difference for governments looking to leverage the information and communication technologies' power to benefit their citizens' lives."