afrol News, 16 October - Seychelles Information Communication Technology Policy was launched by the Minister for National Development, Jacquelin Dugasse.

The launching was preceded by a five-day national strategic planning workshop involving stakeholders from the public and private sectors.

Before getting the approval of the government on 8 September 2007, stakeholders have been consulted to add their input or otherwise to the draft ICT policy.

The policy sets national ICT policy objectives in five key focus areas: ICT Infrastructure, legal and regulatory framework, human resources development, industry and government.

For each of these focus areas more specific policy statements are made, which collectively contribute towards the attainment of the overall vision.

Seychelles government had earlier launched a broad-based consultative committee, which brought together ICT experts in the country.

"The mandate of the committee was to provide policy direction to government on ICT development in the country," he Dugasse said, urging the need for commitment to monitor the implementation of the approved policy through the use of appropriate indicators and review.

"Through this policy document, the government recognizes that accessible, affordable, high quality and well-regulated ICT facilities and services, with and within Seychelles is critical to the realization of its vision of 'a modern, ICT enabled and knowledge-based information society,'" he said.

He described ICT as a vital tool that is required in the development of an informed society, promotion of sustainable development and improving the quality of peoples' lives.

"The development of the ICT sector is a vast undertaking that cuts across all aspects of development. It is in recognition of the importance of ICT, that the government of Seychelles believes that access to information and communication technology should be at the centre of our country's development agenda and that Seychelles should not only aim to remain abreast with the developments in ICT, but to be part of the innovative process, in order to optimize its full potential."

The policy's formulators borrowed the experiences of Singapore, Malta, Kenya, Mauritius, Botswana, among others.

Mr Dugasse said since ICT is a critical and cross-cutting stimulator for sustainable socio-economic growth, the national policy therefore is the first step in turning Seychellois society and economy E-ready.

Financial and technical support were provided by the Commonwealth Secretariat and Indian Ocean Commission sub-regional Information Communication Technology Strategic Plan.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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