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IBM joins U.S. President’s Advisory Council on ‘Doing Business in Africa’

By Editor
23 September 2016   |   2:57 am
International Business Machine (IBM) General Manager for the Middle East and Africa, Takreem El Tohamy, has been appointed into the United States of America’s (USA) President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa.

IBM

International Business Machine (IBM) General Manager for the Middle East and Africa, Takreem El Tohamy, has been appointed into the United States of America’s (USA) President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa.

According to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, who made the announcement, El Tohamy, is among a group of 23 private sector leaders selected to advise the U.S. President on ways to strengthen commercial engagement between the United States and Africa.

The President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa (PAC-DBIA) was created in 2014, as part of an Executive Order signed by President Barack Obama, to promote broad-based economic growth in the United States and Africa.

As a PAC-DBIA member, El Tohamy will provide information, analysis, and recommendations on U.S.-Africa trade and investment priorities, including America and Africa job creation; developing and strengthening commercial partnerships to increase U.S. public and private sector financing in Africa; and analysing the effect of policies in the United States and Africa on American trade and investment interests in Africa.

Commenting, El Tohamy, who said he was honoured to represent IBM on the president’s advisory council, noted that “IBM has long recognized Africa’s potential, and we’ve been partnering with local organizations on the continent for almost a century. In recent years in particular, we’ve seen how local governments and organizations have been able to leapfrog in technology adoption by embracing the latest innovations such as cognitive systems, cloud computing, data analytics and mobile technology.

“We’ve been working aggressively with clients and partners to develop skills, build out infrastructure and boost local scientific research to develop unique solutions to Africa’s unique challenges. These local investments have enabled us to create win-win scenarios for both U.S. businesses and local clients.”

With more than 30 years of experience at IBM, El Tohamy has led expansion of the company’s capabilities and facilities across Africa. IBM now has a direct presence in 24 African countries.

IBM also claimed to have been investing heavily in developing local skills and talent.

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