Digital Media Center calls for a ministry of digital transformation and technology and outlines six tracks

The Digital Media Center (DMC) announced on Tuesday its demand to establish a ministry dedicated to transformation and digital technology in Iraq, encompassing institutions such as the Cybersecurity Center, the Data Center and other digital transformation centers, to be implemented according to an institutional assessment and a legal framework aimed at accelerating the development of government electronic services and reducing overlaps in authorities.

The center's general supervisor, Muhannad Habib al-Samawi, said in a statement that the importance of creating the ministry, regardless of its final name, lies in unifying digital transformation efforts and linking the process of transformation and service and digital infrastructure development with data protection and cybersecurity to enhance integration and coordination among state institutions.

Al-Samawi added that the goal of the ministry is to reduce time and cost for citizens, raise the efficiency and transparency of government performance, and avoid the dispersion and chaos resulting from weak coordination among the parties concerned with this file.

The general supervisor stressed the necessity of precisely defining the ministry's powers and tasks and clarifying its relationship with the Ministry of Communications, the Communications and Media Commission and other specialized bodies, while observing legal jurisdictions and the independence of regulatory and oversight bodies, and adopting a lean organizational structure that leverages existing competencies and resources and avoids administrative bloat.

Al-Samawi set out six strategic tracks for the ministry's work: First, preparing a national strategy for comprehensive digital transformation and following up on its implementation with measurable indicators, digitizing services, integrating systems and exchanging data in accordance with the law and privacy controls.

Second, supporting e-commerce, startups and tech investment, and backing electronic payments in coordination with the Central Bank and the competent authorities.

Third, developing national data centers and localizing the hosting of sensitive data, ensuring continuity of services and regulating access to data and its transfer across borders.

Fourth, cooperating with the competent authorities to establish clear frameworks for taxing companies and global platforms that benefit from the Iraqi market, while leaving the task of collection to the authorities authorized by law.

Fifth, integrating protection into the design of digital projects and developing coordination and incident response mechanisms in cooperation with the concerned parties.

Sixth, encouraging applications and research tied to national needs, strengthening partnerships and training Iraqis in the fields of data, artificial intelligence and digital technology.

Al-Samawi affirmed that these tracks aim to create jobs in the private sector and enhance youth participation in the digital economy, stressing that the measure of the ministry's success will be its ability to turn plans into tangible services that improve citizens' lives, support the country's economy and protect its data.

The statement noted that the Digital Media Center had previously proposed forming a Ministry of Transformation and Digital Technology in December 2021.