Prime Minister Sherif Ismail held a meeting with CEO of Vodafone Group Vittorio Colao on Thursday to discuss the group's expansion plans in the Egyptian market.

The Egyptian state is determined to carry out its strategy on upgrading the communications sector due to its vital role in offering different services to the education, health and other fields, Ismail said.

He thanked the mobile network provider for its expansion plans in Egypt, saying he hopes its services reach distant areas across the country, especially in Upper Egypt, Cabinet spokesman Hossam Qawish said.

Egypt appreciates Vodafone's participation in social activities and development projects under its commitment to social responsibility, the prime minister said according to the spokesman.

For his part, Colao said the Egyptian market was promising, important and rapidly growing, hailing the performance of Vodafone employees in Cairo.

Vodafone's Cairo office also offers technical support services to a number of neighboring countries, he said.

Vodafone plans to expand its activities in Egypt, he said, adding that the move will help pump more investments into the market, offer more job opportunities and training to workers in the sector and improve the level of services provided, he said.

Communications and Information Technology Minister Yasser el Qady, who was present at the meeting, said the Vodafone Group CEO expressed interest to contribute to a project to establish a technological village in Alexandria's Borg Al Arab city.

Source: MENA