Ericsson’s Networked Society City Index report draws a correlation between ICT maturity and the ability to use ICT to benefit business. Ranked 17, Cairo was one of two Middle East cities included in the list, while New York, Stockholm and London took the top three positions.
To the relief of environmentalists and hapless citizens, IT companies are now involved in a bone-breaking competition to radically revolutionise office procedures and employee-citizen communications.
The potential victims of this new technology universally known as e-Government are the majority of the government's six million civil servants. Paper manufacturers and stationery shops are also affected since much fewer people buy writing materials.
Customers, whether individuals or companies - including the public and private sector - can benefit from the new service through the bank's network of 70 branches spread across Egypt.
Read more: EG: The NBD Launches E-Govvernment Payment for taxes and Customs through 70 Branches
The service enables both clients and non-clients, whether individual or corporate and including both public and private to pay their taxes and customs dues through the bank's network of 70 branches spread across Egypt.
Read more: EG: National Bank for Development launches e-Government payments
A ministry statement said the new measure imposed by Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr comes as part of the Schengen Agreement, a treaty that created a zone in Europe about which people can move freely.
The biometric visa process will require European officials to submit a digital photo and fingerprints for approval. The same process is required for all other applicants for Egyptian visas.
Read more: Egypt to require biometric visas from visiting EU officials