ICT Policy Forum

4 - 5 November 2002, Sheraton Addis

Addis Ababa  

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      Participants have formulated realistic and sound recommendations for all the stakeholders to act upon.

The objective of this follow-up workshop is, therefore, to present these recommendations to key high-level officials of the government including the representatives of NGOs, UK agencies, donor agencies, and international organisations in order to establish the structures and approaches that can follow-up the Conference recommendation and develop a pathway for future ICTs development in the country.

The workshop will address the following specific objectives:

  • To present and discuss different models of telecommunications policy and regulations
  • To raise awareness amongst policy-and decision-makers of the relationship between ICTs and social and economic development
  • To facilitate a forum for discussion on the implementation of the National Information Communications and Technology Policy

    3. Focus Areas

    In order to achieve the above objectives, the Workshop will focus on the following areas:

    Telecommunications policy and regulations – alternative models

    Approaches and ways in which an effective strategic partnership to telecom operator – the issues to address include other countries experiences: negotiating with possible strategic partners, exclusivity vis-à-vis competition, key points during negotiation with strategic partners, technology transfer and capacity building under strategic partnership.

    The implementation of the national information communications and technology policy

    National programmes to institute the development of ICT applications in key sectors, particularly health, education, agriculture, environment, and small business promotion

    Regional and international perspectives and experiences on telecommunications policy and regulations

    4. Expected Outcomes

    The following are the expected outcomes of the workshop:

  • Facilitate the adoption of an appropriate model for the liberalisation of the ICT market (including telecommunications equipment and Internet, mobile and DDN services)
  • Facilitate the establishment of an enabling legal and regulatory environment to encourage innovation and use of ICTs, such issues as intellectual property rights, fiscal incentives and customs liberalisation for these technologiess
  • Contribute to the implementation of national information communications and technology policy
  • Facilitate the establishment of an ICT task force led by the appropriate Ministry that can take the lead responsibility for developing the national ICT agenda
  • Facilitate the formulation and adoption a national vision for ICTs, placing this at the centre of national development

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