#TEDxAlger - An Insider’s notepad scratches–( Mm. Hind BENMILOUD )

 
I. Entreprendre en Algérie:

             2. Mm. Hind BENMILOUD

She is the first Algerian lawyer specialized in IT and cyber-criminality. She is also the president of the Algerian association of franchise.
 


10H01 :
- She studies computer science in the past, she even had a 9 months internship programming in COBOL. But, she converted to Law.
- She raised the question: Why is it hard to start business in Algeria?
- She started in 1991/1992, the very same period when terrorism started in Algeria. But Algerians defied it; they continued living their lives as normally as possible.
- She also said that in the Algerian (The comment of Majda showed me that I had misintrepreted what Mme.Hind BENMILOUD said,hence I apologize for this, but I keep the answer, not as a response for her, but for others') Foreign media they show only the Joumoua’a prayer (The Friday’s Prayer) rather than business and every day’s life’ issues. (Here I completely disagree! We are Muslims; they must show Friday’s prayer on TV, like they must also broadcast the Athan –the prayer call-. But, we also must not care less about science, politics, business, economy and daily life challenges. Most of people see it in Black& white. They’re either thickheaded fanatics or shallow-minded laics! Why can’t we just adopt the Malaysian model, where both Technology and religious principles are in harmony?!! Why just France, France and France?! If we have defects in Algeria, if we suffered from terrorism, if we’re still locked inside a black box of inferiority it’s because the Ignorance of those ruling over us and the isolation of the rich business people from their surroundings. We should stick to our OWN culture, religion, customs, language and characters. We have never been French and we will never be. There’s no pride in following everything people from the other side of the Mediterranean do, and there’s no respect for someone ashamed of his own gigantic cultural legacy. There’s a huge difference between openness and Mutation. I find it shameful for people living in Algeria not speaking a word in Arabic or Berber!! I cannot imagine a German who speaks only English, or an Indian speaking only Urdu while living in his homeland! Someone who doesn’t respect his own roots, culture and principles isn’t worth of respect. Social engagement is not only Charity! It’s promoting your native language, social values, philanthropy and welfare. It’s beyond material benefits or short-term consequences. Islam’s N°1 rule is the Nia = Intention. If the deed is only for boasting of showing off, it’s not accepted. What company accepts to do the good just for the sake of good; not just to LOOK GOOD?! )
10H05:
- She created her own Law firm.
- She has been a victim of an assassination attempt.
- She left Algeria and settled down in Tunisia. There she discovered the field of Business Law.
- She gained experience in Tunisia and decided to come back to Algeria.
- She said: “although I’m a jurist, I passed through the warrior’s path, it took me 2-to-3 months just to start my own firm; so, how would it be for a fresh graduate?!!”
- We’re living in a very difficult business context.
- The government vouchsafed many advantages for Foreign investors. But, investors didn’t play it right. They didn’t bring the knowhow to Algeria. Instead, they flew away with colossal amounts of money to their homelands, and as a result the Algerian government took steps backwards.
10H08:
- A couple of months ago, no one could foresee the Tunisian revolution. But, it did happen! In Algeria, We did it in October 1988. 20 years later, I’ve never been so uncomfortable, but yesterday when I met up with Youth in ETIC, I said: “There’s still Hope.”
10H10:

Mm. Hind BENMILOUD jumped off the stage.
My impressions:
- She was a bit more pessimistic about the Algeria economic status quo. I, myself, am skeptical, but what I wanted from this #TEDxAlger is to sweep away my fears, and build a positive state of mind, concerning the Algerian business opportunities by listening to older generations. But, if they have no faith in the future, what are we, the youth of today, expected to do?!! A Big question mark popping up from my head…
- Always, the same remark: The identity crisis! No word has been spoken in Arabic or Berber, the two official languages of the SOVEREIGNTY of Algeria. As long as we are considering Arabic as the cause of our decadence, we’ll always stay in the tail of the nations’ caravan. No plausible argument could be given upon this matter. e.g. Finnish, which is a young Asi-oralic language, could evolve, dramatically , in 60 years and be a language of technology. Nokia is just one example; China could launch its satellite’s when it used Chinese in Technical universities; Iran could acquire the nuclear High technology thanks to its language, and the list long…
I’m done with the second speaker. I’ll go for the next one to-morrow in shaa Allah.
Peace out,