[kictanet] Kibaki sets up ICT advisory body

[alice]

thats encouraging massage from the president of Kenya

----- Original Message ----
From: Chifu <chifu2222 at gmail.
com>
To: DigAfrica at yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, March 17, 2007 2:43:10 AM
Subject: [DigAfrica] Kibaki sets up ICT advisory body

Kibaki sets up ICT advisory body
By John Oyuke

A new parastatal has been set up to spearhead development of
information and communications technology (ICT) in the country.

The Kenya Information and Communications Technology Board will advise
the government on all relevant matters on development, co-ordination
and promotion of ICT industries in the country.

President Mwai Kibaki authorized setting up of the new Corporation
through an order in a Kenya Gazette supplement dated March 2 this
year. Kenya Information Communications and Technology Board Order
details how the board of the corporation would be instituted and
functions.

The corporation will be expected to promote — both locally and
internationally — opportunities for investment in ICT and also
appoint agents within and outside the country to carry out defined
functions. It will also facilitate and manage ICT products and
services, and industrial incubation and technology parks.

The development comes at a time when the government is promoting
large-scale communications infrastructure capable of delivering
efficient and affordable services as a critical prerequisite for
economic growth.

It is also seen as part of a broader strategy that seeks to make the
country the regional ICT hub by 2010 and create employment.

Speaking during the opening of an Information Communication
Technology (ICT) strategy conference in Nairobi last year, President
Kibaki noted that development of any country is dependent on
accessibility to knowledge, information and communications.

He said the Government would set aside funds in the next Financial
Year to re-skill and re-orient Kenyans towards the demands of ICT.

Information and Communication Permanent Secretary, Mr Bitange Ndemo,
said local ICT standards must be in line with global expectations to
enable the country compete in the $300 billion (Sh2 trillion)
outsourcing market.

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