Intelligent CIO Middle East Issue 26 | Page 13

South Korean delegation visits Digital Incubation Centre Hamad International Airport and SITA enter strategic partnership S eeking potential partnerships with entrepreneurs and technology-based start-ups in Qatar, a delegation from the Korea Startups Association paid a visit to the Ministry of Transport and Communications. The delegation included CEOs and founders of more than 10 South Korean start-ups, some of which are already operating in the South Korean market and abroad. Others are still in the phase of building and developing their ideas. The visit was conducted in collaboration with the Qatar Business Incubation Center (QBIC). Among the visiting start-ups, which provide smart solutions and applications for multiple sectors in South Korea in areas such as infrastructure, healthcare, customer service, e-commerce, and business and contact centres, were MINDs Lab, Monorama, paybot, pyundoori and Happy Moonday. Duha Al-Buhendi, Digital Incubation Center (DIC) Manager, explained some of the smart solutions and applications provided by the start-ups incubated at the DIC. She said: “This is a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs and start-ups in Qatar to meet with their peers from South Korea; to talk, exchange expertise and benefit from shared experiences, as well as learning about their successes and challenges while exploring the contribution start-ups make to boosting the digital economy in both countries.” www.intelligentcio.com G lobal IT provider SITA and Hamad International Airport (HIA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This provides a framework for the two partners to trial and enhance innovative passenger processing solutions at Hamad International Airport (HIA). The MoU was signed jointly by Hamad International Airport Chief Operating Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al Meer and Hani El-Assaad, SITA President, Middle East, India and Africa, at an event held at Qatar’s five-star airport. The predominant focus of the MoU is to advance HIA’s initiative to implement seamless identity management across all key passenger service points using biometrics. Trials will also be held to evaluate the effectiveness of robots for passenger facilitation; blockchain technology for rapid and secure sharing of data across stakeholders; and the potential use of augmented and virtual reality for operational concepts. It was also announced at the event that SITA will be supplying and commissioning 62 of its next-generation common-use check-in kiosks, with bag tag printing capability. This will enhance passenger experience for self-service check-in and enable progressive deployment of self-service bag-drop facilities. SITA will also be supplying and commissioning boarding pass verification e-gates which will be located prior to border control. These kiosks and e-gates will have the ability to use biometrics to identify passengers. INTELLIGENTCIO 13