[kictanet] My 2cts: ICT Parks

Mon Jan 11 09:35:57 EAT 2010

Dear Tim,
I had given Liko Friday 22nd this month.  For now anytime will do. 
However, I may confirm another afternoon request for an appointment if I
do not have a confirmation from you in two days.

Ndemo.

> Hi good people,
> Please note that I no longer control budgets except for my research
> projects. I therefore cannot promise what I cannot deliver. I would also
> like us to meet in a down-to-earth place - not those big and glossy hotels
> with huge costs. All we want is to hear a presentation, have some
> discussion
> and hopefully document it - with or without tea. My offer still stands. We
> can even each "changa" KSh 100 - 200 and we will have tea and
> mandazi/chapati/etc - the cost is not an issue. Dr. Ndemo - give us a date
> and I will tell you the capacity of the room I can get that will be free
> then. tim
>
> On Wed, Jan 6, 2010 at 11:56 AM, Solomon Mburu Kamau
> <solo.mburu at gmail.com>wrote:
>
>> @ 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-Ã -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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>>
>> --
>> Solomon MbÅ©rÅ© Kamau
>> P.O. Box 19343 - 00202 Nairobi
>> Cell: (+254-0) 735 431041
>>
>> Man is a gregarious animal and enjoys agreement as cows will graze all
>> the same way to the side of a hill!
>>
>> AND
>>
>> It is better to die in dignity than in the ignomity of ambiguous
>> generosity!
>>
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>>
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