Luanda — The co-ordinator of Angola's National Commission for Information Technologies, Pedro Teta, Friday in Luanda highlighted the importance of the implementation of the Government's Steering Plan, saying its will help reduce the digital gap between the country and developed nations.

Speaking on the occasion of presentation of the Steering Plan on Information Technologies, Pedro Teta stressed that the document identified the transversal and specific applications to each ministry.

"There are issues that were brought forward on which the Government is already working, such as the financial and human resources management but the study shows what we have to do if the digital gap is to be covered," said the official.

Pedro Teta's statements were based on a study carried out by the Indian firm "Tata Consulting Services", meant for the elaboration of the Government Steering Plan presented on Friday in Luanda.

According to the study, the development of the information society requires more investments in infrastructures of support to the Information and Communication Technologies and training of human resources.

In terms of infrastructures, it will permit a total interconnection among the provincial, municipal and communal sectors, through local networks.

Elaborated in 10 ministries, the work concluded that for the implementation of the Government Steering Plan a data base will be required, with a view to an interconnection of the provincial ministries and the VSAT dishes.

As to training, it is recommended the creation of an Information and Communication Technology Institute, technological estates, promotion of education in schools and awareness at all relevant levels.

The promotion of English Language as a useful means for the teaching of materials about the Information and Communication Technologies is also recommended.

The Government Steering Plan will be implemented over a period of five years, in three phases, starting in 2006. The first includes awareness on Information and Communication Technologies, creation of a data base and the connection among ministries.

With this project it is intended a major efficiency of the public services, clearness in the management, rise in exchange of information between institutions and the citizen.