Presentation to meeting convened by High-level Commission on IT Rohan Samarajiva Executive Director, LIRNEasia Kathmandu, 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, bifurcation of posts and telecom corporatization; regulatory agency; licensing 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 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) ActionLead agency Collaborati ng agency Action mileposts Start ICT program on national TV HLCITNational 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 (f) (v)