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Govt approves ICT policy draft
Zhean
Gwaze,The Financial Gazette (Zimbabwe)
June 22, 2006
http://www.fingaz.co.zw/story.aspx?stid=1341
THE government
has approved a draft document with proposals from industry on a
new information communication and technology (ICT) policy formulation.
Industry players have been advocating a framework for ICT development
in the country, but have been frustrated by government’s sluggish
response.
Sources in the
industry said the framework policy was approved this year in January
and was currently being co-ordinated by the Ministry of Science
and Technology to assess the clauses that can be implemented in
the policy.
Science and
Technology Minister Olivia Muchena was not available for comment
at the time of going for press.
"The framework
is now in place but there is a lot that needs to be done to synchronise
the policy. There is need for legislative support for the policy
to be implemented," the sources said.
Zimbabwe’s ICT
industry continues to lag behind that of regional peers, South Africa,
Botswana and Mozambique.
Analysts blame
government dithering and the prevailing economic environment, which
has not spared the ICT sector in Zimbabwe, which remains largely
import-driven.
The majority
of players in the sector are distributors of imported hardware and
software solutions from major international ICT players.
Zimbabwe’s ICT
industry is very fragmented and driven by fundamentals that are
to a larger extent, beyond the control of local businesses.
ICT companies
are still on the fringes of development and are a long way from
listing on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE).
Information
technology is seen as vital for economic growth, particularly in
a society where many companies have integrated information technology
into their day-to-day business operations.
"The ICT
policy is a vital tool in showing the government’s commitment to
e-readiness," Computer Society of Zimbabwe president Lawrence
Gudza said.
Margaret Zunguze,
president of E-knowledge
for Women in Southern Africa also added, "The country can
have a structured way of implementing ICT programmes through the
policy."
A lot of the
industry players remain box pushers, with little or no scope for
adding value in their proposition to the market, analysts said.
In addition,
issues like corporate governance still need close attention in the
industry.
The same can
be said for e-commerce, an integral part of modern business transactions
where many companies are still to explore electronic commerce despite
significant strides, which have been made in the financial sector.
Researchers say e-commerce is only fully practiced in North America
and some parts of Western Europe and on the African continent, namely
South Africa and Egypt have made great strides in this regard.
Analysts say
Zimbabwe, which has one of the highest number of Internet users
in Africa, presents a ready market for e-commerce services.
The problem
in Zimbabwe catching up with the rest of the global world lies in
lack of infrastructure, information technology experts say.
Zimbabwe has
one fixed telephone operator, state owned Tel*One and three mobile
phone operators (Econet Wireless, NetOne and Telecel), which have
been plagued by under investment.
Industry players
said the policy and regulatory environment as championed by the
Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ)
needs to be adjusted to promote the growth and development of the
telecommunications industry and allow more private sector initiatives
to stimulate growth.
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