"The achievements of RITSEC since its inception in January 1992 have been a great testimony of the vital role information technology plays in the development of the Arab region. Since 1988, the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD) has been working with the United Nations Development Program - Regional Bureau for Arab States (UNDP-RBAS) and several governments of Arab countries to formalize the establishment of a regional software engineering center based on the belief that countries without viable information technology and software industry are at a great disadvantage in developing their economies. We, the Government of Egypt, expressed our strong commitment to the success of RITSEC through hosting it in Cairo. Egypt has demonstrated its interest in sharing with Arab countries its cumulative experiences and it continues to do so. These experiences were gained through the design and implementation of large national Information and Decision Support programs, projects, database systems, and value added services through the Cabinet Information and Decision Support Center. For the past ten years, 1992-2002, RITSEC worked hard on supporting many Arab countries as well as some African nations build their national information strategic plans, programs, and projects. It also helped in building the Arab Regional Information Society and in linking it to the World. Congratulations to RITSEC and all collaborating agencies for their success and accomplishment throughout their 1st decade of outstanding achievements and on their 10th Anniversary."

"The Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development -AFESD- strongly believes in the importance of utilizing information technology as a strategic tool for the socio-economic development of nations. The AFESD recognizes the major role that information technology can play in accelerating development, sustaining growth, preserving cultures, improving human capital and building national capacities. In fact, effective application of information technology can provide endless possibilities with far reaching effects such as linking the Arab region together, connecting the region to the rest of the world, accessing and disseminating information, promoting the exchange and sharing of knowledge and, ultimately, improving the quality of life of the individual citizen.

RITSEC has been given the mandate to support and help develop the information technology and software engineering industry in the Arab region, enabling it to become a world-class, internationally competitive industry and hence serving as a catalyst for accelerating the region's socio-economic development in an increasingly knowledge-based world. I have always found it of paramount significance that RITSEC is continuously avant-garde in its field by acting as a pioneer in the development and support of information technology related programs, projects and services. RITSEC acts as the breeding place for ICT innovations in the Middle East, which it then nurtures and develops, before transferring them to different types entities that would effectively customize, utilize and commercialize these innovations for the socio-economic development of the region.

On their 10 Years Anniversary, I thank RITSEC for their contribution to the development of the region using state-of-the-art information and communication technologies and wish them more success and achievements in their upcoming second decade. CONGRATULATIONS."

"In the context of serving as a catalyst for accelerating the Arab region's socio-economic development, RITSEC's immediate objectives are to utilize new information and communication technologies, promote human resource development, disseminate knowledge and experience transfer throughout the region; and support the development of the information and communication infrastructure, resources and value added services. To achieve its objectives, RITSEC has successfully formulated specialized ICT programs spanning all of the following arenas, software and information engineering, human resource development, culture preservation, communication and networking, regional cooperation, environment information systems, kids in the 21st century, and distance learning. Through the effective implementation of its programs and projects, RITSEC has adopted state-of-the-art tools, techniques and structured methodologies such as CASE tools, IEF and ISP. It has formed strategic alliances with international reputable IT agencies and organizations so as to accelerate the transfer of appropriate ICT technologies to the region. From the outset, RITSEC was established to be a center of excellence that supports other agencies in building their own capacities and develop their own information systems in a competitive global environment. Today, RITSEC has exceeded all expectations in fulfilling its mandate. Congratulations to RITSEC on their 10 years anniversary. I wish the RITSEC team all the success in their future plans, programs and projects."

"Today, we are celebrating RITSEC's 10 Year Anniversay, 1992-2002, a decade of success. On this occasion I would like to thank all my colleagues who have worked hard for 10 years to achieve the objectives, targets and goals of RITSEC as mandated by its Board Members representing the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, the United Nations Development Program and the Government of Egypt. My colleagues who have believed in RITSEC and participated in the implementation of its vision through their leadership and championship of its unique initiatives, programs and projects have succeeded in creating a multiplier effect in the Arab region. One of RITSEC's major achievements is investing in creating competent world-class ICT leaders, experts and professionals. Under their leadership the Arab region witnessed an ICT evolution supporting socio-economic development. Through the incubation of innovative ideas and technologies RITSEC was able to open new frontiers in high risk/high investment sectors. The most relative example that I would like to emphasize is when RITSEC introduced the "Internet" in Egypt and several other countries undertaking the investment and awareness activities. Three years later the "Internet" has become an integral part of building the Arab knowledge-based society and initiated a new industry represented by the creation of ISP and ASP and "dot com" companies. In ten years, more than 10,000 professional were trained, 50 large projects and more than 150 small and medium ICT projects in different areas as culture preservation, environment, education, kids, communication, etc.. were implemented throughout the Arab world and other countries world-wide. Again, I thank all my colleagues and congratulate them for a job well done. I thank the RITSEC Board for sharing the belief and supporting the realization of RITSEC's vision.