INTEL CEO MAKES A SPLASH IN CAIRO

UNCLAS CAIRO 002662

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BTIO ECON ETRD EINT EINV PREL TINT KWWW EG
SUBJECT: INTEL CEO MAKES A SPLASH IN CAIRO



1. In his first visit to Egypt, Intel Corporation CEO Craig
Barrett last week delivered a slick, multimedia presentation
resembling a primetime television show to assembled
government and business leaders during an AmCham-sponsored
luncheon on "Building the Digital Society in Egypt." The
spectacular event received a great deal of local press play,
as Barrett cited the GOE's strides in modernizing the
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector over
the last five years and initiatives to attract major ICT
companies to invest in Egypt. It was a largely positive
event, although he also criticized corporate tax regulations
and Egypt's lack of spending on research and development
(noting that his company alone spends five times as much as
the GOE on ICT research).


2. Barrett was in town to demonstrate Intel's commitment to
do business in Egypt, marking a dramatic change for the
multinational; a decade ago, Intel publicly rejected the idea
of establishing a high tech center in Ismailia and instead
directed its investment to Israel. Now, Intel plans to open
in Egypt a center to develop platforms for use across the
Middle East and Africa and a software laboratory, to
cooperate with the GOE on various information
technology-related initiatives, and to bring the
International Science and Engineering Fair to Egypt during
the coming academic year. Comment: Intel's expanded
interest in Egypt reflects growing confidence among
international ICT players that the Nazif government is
serious about turning the country into an investor-friendly
arena. End comment.


Visit Embassy Cairo's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/cairo

You can also access this site through the
State Department's Classified SIPRNET website.

GRAY