ICT |
A range of
activities whether undertaken indoor or outdoor, knowledge transfers and
other related human tasks have been facilitated by ICT and other
ongoing technology-born devices. Apart from playing
an unmatched role in disseminating information, easing communication
challenges, keeping quality and expanding education, ICT has also become
one of human job creation opportunities. This dynamic science-born new
technology utility is not confined to specific purposes but it as well
is used for enhancing multidimensional growth.
Recognizing its
significant role in fostering economic development, Ethiopia has given
ICT due attention as one of its strategic priorities for its all rounded
and all entailing development. ICT as well enjoys
special attention in GTP II. Eyeing at pursuing the nation's ICT demand,
coping up with ever growing world economy, emerging competitive in the
global arena and hastening technology transfer, the country has
established Information Technology (IT) Parks. As it has a
multidimensional benefit in bringing and fostering Ethiopia's GTP II
programme as well as in bringing up attitudinal and behavioural changes,
the nation underlines its role.
Currently, the
government has continued investing on and expanding communication
infrastructures to meet the country's growing demand for ICT by
increasing access to the public sector network.
Indeed, the
Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT) spearheads
the ICT development of the nation by developing policy instruments,
designing various programmes, mobilizing resources, guiding
implementations. Of course, the IT park development can assist in
boosting the nation's GTP II implementation.
The government has established the IT park with a view to establishing an important resource network for information technology.
The park is
expected to harmonize universities and research institutes, boost
university to industry relations and bolster cooperation on commercial
activities. It as well is expected to leverage the transfer of new
technologies. In addition, it creates conducive or attractive working
environment for IT companies, professionals and entrepreneurs too.
According to
sources, there are various models of IT Parks globally, ranging from
self-sufficient towns of technology that encompass residential
neighbourhoods, shopping centres, restaurants, recreational facilities,
technical universities or training and research centres, IT
manufacturing and services and often business incubators to relatively
small self-contained establishments. Hence, the Ethiopian IT Park has
been established based on the aforementioned models.
In addition to
facilitating the emergence of IT industries, an IT Park is established
to promote connections including increased economic linkages between
foreign and local industries. To beef up park
benefits, policy-makers have implemented target strategies from the
outset such as encouraging joint ventures, as well as strengthening
local human capital to increase the absorption capacity.
Of course, the
underlying principles for the establishment of IT Park in Ethiopia
reside in fostering the growth of the IT sector in the country by
providing a conducive environment for business and developing IT
supported indigenous business entrepreneurs and providing employment
opportunities for citizens.
What is more, the
9th ICT Exhibition, Bazaar and Conference which is being carried out
from June 2-6,2016 at Addis Ababa Exhibition Centre with the theme,
"ICT: For Industry Led Economic Development," has witnessed the
government and the public's recognition in attaining the country's
on-going programmes for sustainable development and poverty reduction.
It is believed to be a hub in ensuring technological transfer,
encouraging competition and affording platform for networking between
various actors of the sector.
During five-day
long Exhibition and Bazaar, various ICT products and services in
connection with ICT technology development have been assessed. And more
awareness creation activities in the sector have been carried out. In
addition, it has been expected to create market linkages among
universities, research institutions, private business communities
parallel to displaying information technology products.
No doubt investment
and promotion of ICT in the country will create a huge potential in
hastening the country's economic transformation and ensuring its GTP II.
Besides, the involvement of the private sectors will lend power to the
nation's ICT development initiatives.
In sum, concerted
efforts are expected to be deployed to make the nation beneficiary from
the sector. Hence, unless driven by information technology, industry and
economic development will lag behind the nation's aspiration to a fast
growth. Hence, intensifying efforts to make the already set up
infrastructure developments and expanding services should be a
prerequisite not only to the government but also to stakeholders too.
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