[kictanet] My 2cts: ICT Parks

Wed Jan 6 11:56:05 EAT 2010

@ Tim, on a lighter note, if a guest comes to your home you don't tell
them to provide their own meals, do you?
On a more serious retrospect, this meeting should take place ASAP
because there seems to be thirst of ideas on the existence of the park
in the country. . I will take pictures and, if required, work on the
report!

On 06/01/2010, Mwololo Tim <timwololo at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi all,
> I can book an appropriate room in the University for such a meeting, as long
> as I will not fund anything else. Perhaps someone can fund tea/coffee. tim
>
>
> On 1/5/10, robert yawe <robertyawe at yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>>
>>   Hi,
>>
>> Dr. Ndemo has brought up an interesting issue, when can he be available to
>> give us a presentation on the concept paper, I propose we individually
>> meet
>> the cost of the venue and refreshments.
>>
>> The University of Nairobi would be an ideal and relevant location.
>>
>> Any takers?
>>
>> Robert Yawe
>> KAY System Technologies Ltd
>> Phoenix House, 6th Floor
>> P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200
>> Kenya
>>
>> Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696
>>
>> --- On *Wed, 30/12/09, bitange at jambo.co.ke <bitange at jambo.co.ke>* wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>> From: bitange at jambo.co.ke <bitange at jambo.co.ke>
>> Subject: Re: [kictanet] My 2cts: ICT Parks
>> To: robertyawe at yahoo.co.uk
>> Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
>> Date: Wednesday, 30 December, 2009, 13:15
>>
>>  Victor,
>> Just imagine you inform us that you will be having a party then we begin
>> asking for the guest list, the type of soup and if it will taste like that
>> of Ilyev.  The food is being cooked and when time comes (the dates I gave
>> you) we shall give all the information.  None of you has ever invited me
>> to present the concept paper.
>>
>> Regards
>>
>>
>> Ndemo.
>>
>>
>> > Thanks Dr Ndemo.
>> >
>> > Good to know and sounds great. I echo what one lister mentioned earlier
>> > about getting 'snippets' of information. Would help if this information
>> > was available on www (is it?) so we have a clearer picture.
>> >
>> > Victor
>> >
>> > -----Original Message-----
>> > From:
>> > bitange at jambo.co.ke<http://uk.mc278.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=bitange@jambo.co.ke>[mailto:
>> bitange at jambo.co.ke<http://uk.mc278.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=bitange@jambo.co.ke>
>> ]
>> > Sent: 30 December 2009 13:15
>> > To: Victor Gathara
>> > Cc:
>> > bitange at jambo.co.ke<http://uk.mc278.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=bitange@jambo.co.ke>;
>> KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
>> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] My 2cts: ICT Parks
>> >
>> > Thank you Victor.  We are not actually putting up just a BPO Park.  This
>> > is a Special Economic Zone that we are jointly putting up with other
>> > sector including the financial sector (Finanncial District),  the
>> > science
>> > park (with all other research institutions), tourism (Hotels),
>> > Industrial
>> > park as well as a Trade Centre (Convention Centre).  The entire project
>> > would include first class hospital and international schools.  It is
>> > simply a new city, an exempler on how things must be done.  We have
>> > taken
>> > into consideration of all the issues raised by Booz Allen.  We are in
>> > the
>> > process of coming up with the feasibility study by February and a Master
>> > Plan by April.
>> >
>> > We are revising the Vision 2030 to refer to the BPO sector as IT enebled
>> > services (ITES).  We are not to remain a BPO location for ever.  We must
>> > climp the ladder to get to the real digital world.  BPO was proposed as
>> > bait to get us thinking how we can make money out of ICTs.
>> Unfortunately,
>> > I see many of us getting stuck in this.  The broad thinking is to
>> > provide
>> > fist world class infrastructure, develop capacity to utilize the
>> > infrastructure then leave people alone.  This is called facilitation and
>> > ideally entrepreneurialism would then propel economic growth.  But to be
>> > honest I get disappointed when those who are supposed to understand this
>> > basic theory begin to get confused even before the food cooks.
>> >
>> > In the Western ideology which we pretend to subscribe to, political
>> > freedom and individual liberties are paramount.  In those other
>> ideologies
>> > that have failed they thought success will come from the state managing
>> > economic, social and cultural activities.  To some extent this looks
>> > fair
>> > but it failed to be sustainable.
>> >
>> > Whereas the later ideology has had some failures, these we simply market
>> > fluctuations and indeed even local banana markets, markets do fail but
>> not
>> > the ambitions of a free society.  Therefore, please give us the benefit
>> of
>> > doubt that we have put a lot of thought to the SEZ in Athi River.  At
>> > lease we are not sitting and not doing anything as it has been in the
>> > past.
>> >
>> >
>> > Ndemo.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >> Dr Ndemo,
>> >>
>> >> The following is an excerpt for a paper I wrote  on the impact of the
>> >> arrival of sub-marine fibre in East
>> >> Africa(http://www.gg.rhul.ac.uk/ict4d/workingpapers/Gathero.doc). In
>> >> it I suggest we adopt consultant Booz Allen Hamilton's six levers for
>> >> successful development of an ICT park strategy for Kenya.
>> >>
>> >> ______________________
>> >>
>> >> ICT Parks
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Kenya's BPO sector cannot succeed without a critical mass of companies
>> >> at least a handful of which must be of significant size (000s of
>> >> employees).
>> >> The Government can fast-track an environment conducive to ICT sector
>> >> growth by fostering ICT parks - one or more buildings in which there
>> >> is a full range of services including reliable electrical power, high
>> >> speed lines, cabling, physical security and so on. GoK has undertaken
>> >> the creation of one such park in Athi River. Building is expected to
>> >> commence in July. The park will occupy about 5000 acres of land and is
>> >> expected to employ over 10,000 people. While a positive undertaking,
>> >> the park should be considered as part of an overall strategy.
>> >> Consultant firm Booz Allen Hamilton has reviewed the learning from
>> >> global experiences and suggests six main levers for the successful
>> >> development of ICT parks:[1] <outbind://20/#_ftn1>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> * Purpose - This element must be articulated up front as it directly
>> >> impacts the physical environment, regulatory and legal context,
>> >> economic focus, level of integration to the national economy, etc. To
>> >> illustrate, parks can focus on objectives dealing with ICT sector
>> >> development, attraction of foreign investments and/or retention of
>> >> domestic investments, and incubation of new business. The purpose of
>> >> the Athi River Park should be clearly articulated.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> * Value Proposition - Central to the success of an ICT park is the
>> >> definition and enactment of a legal and regulatory framework,
>> >> provision of adequate infrastructure and facilities, availability of
>> >> support services, overall quality of life, and location, to name a
>> >> few. Importantly, the offering of communication-related services such
>> >> as voice and data telecommunications, managed data services, and media
>> >> broadcast all play a key role in shaping the value proposition. It
>> >> would be good to get a blueprint of the park widely circulated showing
>> >> advantages of businesses being housed there. The government can also
>> >> make it easy for local or foreign firms to set up operations for
>> >> example by giving tax incentives to companies, domestic and foreign
>> >> operating in the park.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> * Location - The efficiency, effectiveness, and resulting lifestyle in
>> >> these parks are important attributes. As a result, ICT parks tend to
>> >> be located in dedicated areas outside the main city and within a short
>> >> driving distance. They also tend to be located within a short driving
>> >> distance from the airport as well as prominent universities. This
>> >> clearly suits Athi River as a choice location with its distance from
>> >> Nairobi, Daystar University and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
>> >> Last but not least, Booz Allen suggests the park dedicates 30%-50% of
>> >> their space to green areas with the objective to create a distinctive
>> >> and attractive environment.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> * Partnership - ICT parks require close links to academic
>> >> institutions, real estate developers, venture capitals and financial
>> >> institutions, investment promotion agencies, and national government
>> >> agencies involved in the ICT sector. To illustrate, and building on
>> >> the learning of the broader experience of technology parks, nearly 50%
>> >> of such developments are pursued within university-related premises.
>> >> It would be prudent for the government to initiate such partnerships in
>> >> this early stage.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> * Funding - ICT parks can be funded primarily through the private
>> >> sector (e.g., real estate developers, private investors/placement) and
>> >> government agencies if required. They are self-sustainable financially
>> >> and can generate attractive returns. In this regard GoK should seek to
>> >> enter Private Public Partnerships to ensure that there is private
>> >> sector
>> >> buy-in.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> * Competitive Positioning - ICT parks can define their competitive
>> >> positioning along three dimensions. Firstly, they need a
>> >> differentiated positioning vis-à-vis other comparable developments
>> >> within the same region (e.g., within the Arabian Peninsula, such as the
>> >> Dubai Media city).
>> >> Secondly, they need to offer distinctive benefits at a national level,
>> >> in particular when considering that 50% of the tenants could represent
>> >> already established institutions. Thirdly, ICT parks can be defined as
>> >> part of a regional network of parks. Such a 'constellation' of parks
>> >> aims to create cross-border synergies and complementary products,
>> >> services, and strengths. The concept of 'constellation' is already
>> >> into play at a national level with developments such as the Smart
>> >> Villages in Egypt having planned presences in Giza (Cairo), Mansoura
>> >> (Cairo), and Alexandria. The Athi River Park should therefore not be
>> >> seen in isolation but as part of a constellation of parks. Others
>> >> could be developed in University towns such as Eldoret, Nakuru and
>> >> Juja.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> ________________________________
>> >>
>> >> [1] <outbind://20/#_ftnref1>  Booz Allen Hamilton: ICT parks offer a
>> >> fast-track development approach for the Middle East,
>> >> http://www.ameinfo.com/66995.html <http://www.ameinfo.com/66995.html>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Victor Gathara| UK Department for International Development| Regional
>> >> IS Manager , East Africa| * email:
>> >> v-gathara at dfid.gov.uk<http://uk.mc278.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=v-gathara@dfid.gov.uk>*
>> >> Telephone:
>> >> +254 20
>> >> 2873349 * Fax: +254 20 2873102 * Ftn: 8300 3349 * Mobile: +254 733
>> >> 414846
>> >> url: www.dfid.gov.uk <http://www.dfid.gov.uk/>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> DFID, the Department for International Development: leading the UK
>> >> Government's fight against world poverty. Find out more at
>> >> http://www.dfid.gov.uk.
>> >>
>> >> The road to Copenhagen: the UK Government's ambition for a global deal
>> >> on climate change. Find out more at http://www.actoncopenhagen.gov.uk
>> >> and about DFID's work at http://www.dfid.gov.uk/climate.
>> >> ______________________________________________________________________
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>> > on
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