Published by the government of Zimbabwe
30 June 2009
Harare — THE Government considers Information Communication Technologies to be the lifeblood of a new society, Information Communication Technology Minister Nelson Chamisa told members of the Computer Suppliers' Association (Comsa) last week.
"There is championing of the proliferation of information communication technology at the highest level, from the President, the Prime Minister and the Minister," he told a Comsa breakfast meeting in Harare.
He called on Comsa members and all stakeholders to interact freely with his ministry in putting forward their own ideas as to what could be done to make information communication technology (ICT) resources widely available, affordable and accessible.
This week stakeholders would be invited to comment on and make suggestions for improving the draft Information and Communications Technology Bill.
The country had been left behind where ICT was concerned, he said. However, he expressed confidence in Zimbabwe's ability to become a leader in ICT not only in the region but in the world. There was need, he said, to move from a dormant to a kinetic phase.
An ICT strategy had been launched in 2007. Gaps in this policy needed filling to take account of developments since then, he said.
The ICT Bill would basically seek the convergence of regulations, licences and various technologies. It would fit in with the policies of the Community of East and Southern Africa.
There was considerable "buy-in" from other organisations, especially the World Bank, he said.
Mr Chamisa said his ministry wished to perfect and sharpen its policy thrust. It wanted to raise awareness of the information society and its importance.
He stressed the importance he attached to consultations and to the Government and private sector working together.
"The real enablers are our private sector. The real suppliers are the private sector," he said.
His ministry wanted to ensure that the civil service and organisations had access to the latest information technologies. This would be reflected, he said, in a new budget it was hoped would be ready in July.
He expressed interest in the IT Africa exhibition, which IT Africa organiser Mr Ant Mellon, told the meeting had first been held as an annual event 19 years ago
The Minister said IT Africa might fit in well with his ministry's wish to hold an award-giving event, where achievements within the ICT field could be celebrated.
Answering a question about high licence charges, which for a V-Sat licence, he was told, came to more than the capitalisation of some stock exchange-listed companies, he said his ministry was sensitive to the issue.
It would not wait for the introduction of the ICT Bill to address this.
Mr Chamisa acknowledged that some of the licensing charges levied by the Posts and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (Potraz) were so high that it almost looked as if the authority was "milking the cow to kill it".
He said he believed revenue should be sought from volumes rather than margins.
Responding to an appeal for a reduction in duty or "some sort of duty holiday" for ICT equipment, particularly hardware, Mr Chamisa said his ministry had taken this issue up with the Ministry of Finance.
A major problem was a lack of awareness of the value of an informed society. Many people thought of ICTs as luxuries, he said.
However, progress was being made in promoting awareness of their importance.
"I have managed to convince fellow ministers that information technologies are as vital as oxygen," he said.
Comsa member Rob Watsonappealed to members to respond to the Minister's invitation to come up with ideas that could assist his ministry.
"The minister is not just looking for us to go to him for handouts. He is looking for ideas. It is a two-way relationship. Government does not have all the resources it would like and it would be good if we could come up with some initiatives," he said.
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THEY COME TO :
STEAL OUR ECONOMY
KILL OUR INITIATIVE TO BE SELF-SUFFICIENT
DESTROY OUR FAMILIES
1) INFERIORITY = CURRENCY EXCHANGE
Currency Exchange is designed to puff up certain peoples and nations over others. The numbers are constantly telling some that they are inferior to others. The problem intensifies when those being manipulated by this financial scam buy in to this wicked scheme.
What’s the solution to INFERIORITY CURRENCY EXCHANGE ? Stop giving away our souls one piece of money ( dollar , pound, franc, rand, deniro, rupal, euro, Chinese renminbi, rupee, Russian ruble,etc..) at-a-time .