Presentation to meeting convened by High-level Commission on IT

Rohan SamarajivaExecutive Director, LIRNEasiaKathmandu, 10 December 2004

Agenda

Words or actions? Three approaches to ICT policy

implementation Examples from Sri Lanka Questions for discussion Action matrix

Policy = actionable commitment Policies, strategies, action

Words or actions?

Our people are tired of words and promises

Actions are needed to win back their trust Action speaks louder . . . Action combined with words even louder

But what kinds of actions? What broad approach?

Three approaches

I. Comprehensive planning and implementation

II. Enclave strategy Not only geographic, but also functional

III. “Nurture the growing plants”

What is optimal in our conditions?

Combination of II and III leveraged by a strategic communication campaign to create: Climate of optimism and hope Dissemination of best practices Environment of friendly competition and

emulation

Sri Lankan illustration of I Free trade zones in 1977

Classic enclaves to remedy lack of infrastructure as country opened up

Telecom became a key constraint Telecom reforms, 1980-2004

1980 bifurcation of posts and telecom 1989-1991 corporatization; regulatory agency;

licensing 1996-97 entry of fixed competitors; privatization 2003 opening of international market

Enclave illustration FTZ as geographical enclave

But gradually export industries located throughout whole country

Telecom as functional enclave Concentrated in Western Province and major

cities for the most part, until e Sri Lanka Regulatory agency and Board of Investment

as functional enclaves ICT Agency as functional enclave to

implement e Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka illustration of II

Unexpected e successes National exam results

Internet Internet/radio SMS

Use of pagers in National Hospital’s response to terrorist attacks Supported by equipping ambulances with

trunk mobile

Leverage using media “Internet to the home,” 1 hour weekly

evening program 1998-2000 10 minute technology “column” in

Saturday magazine program “Pariganaka,” Sinhala ICT monthly

magazine with islandwide circulation of over 50,000

New media initiative under consideration

Questions for discussion

Is comprehensive planning & implementation feasible in Nepal?

If Nepal chooses enclave strategy, what areas would be most beneficial? Direct benefits (jobs, exports, etc.) Indirect benefits (multiplier effects,

linkages)

Questions for discussion

If growing plants strategy, which areas? Select using what criteria?

Barriers to starting an ICT media campaign?

Action matrix (how to get the job done)

Action Lead agency

Collaborating agency

Action mileposts

Start ICT program on national TV

HLCIT National TV

Pilot ready by March 1

Establish live websites in govt orgs

HLCIT ?? X% by March 1; y% by June 1 . .

?? ?? ?? ??

Priorities

“There are three priorities for my government: implementation, implementation, and implementation” Ranil Wickramasinghe, former PM at

Tokyo Aid Summit in 2003 What are your priorities?

Contacts

Rohan Samarajiva, Executive Director, LIRNEasia, Sri Lanka Institute of Development

Administration, Malalasekera Mavata, Colombo 7, Sri Lanka

www.lirneasia.net samarajiva@lirne.net +94 11 452 7648 (f) +94 11 452 7647 (v)