Developing ICT Private Sector in Emerging Countries

1. WSIS, November 15-19 2005 in Tunis Developing ICT Private Sector in Emerging Countries

2. Outline Introduction – Develop the ICT Private Sector in Emerging Countries South South Cooperation Offhshoring Best Practices and Enabling Environment for Business Join the Knowledge Economy Access to Higher Education Summary-Conclusion

3. Emerging Countries have different development needs than those of the Developing Countries Excess of ICT human resources in the upcoming years in Emerging Countries The need to sustain and fuel the private ICT sector by widening its market to enable economic growth and employment Introduction

4. South South Cooperation Replicate successful deployed ICT solutions in emerging countries to developing countries Emerging Countries: an attainable model for Developing Countries Win-Win for all Lower cost for donors and receivers Leverage projects in Developing Countries to promote ICT private sectors in emerging countries Create growth in the mobile market in developing countries by providing more mobile content

5. South South Cooperation Generating economic growth and employment in the ICT Private Sector of Emerging Countries through creation of market opportunities in the South The need to make policy changes that will allocate part of the investment destined to bridge the digital divide with developing countries, to promote the ICT private sector in emerging countries.

6. Offshoring Boosted the economy of many developing and emerging countries Job creation Significant value to developed countries Yet, very low percentage of the ICT is offshored. Ex: France less than 1%

7. Offshoring Wrong perception in developed countries: “Offshoring” causes job losses An enabler to start-up companies, and makes technology more affordable Widen the world market for technology Business transformation for a potential exponential growth to the world economy

8. Best Practices and Enabling Environment for Business Alleviate government procedures and bureaucracies Raise awareness about the incompatibility of the ICT lifecycle, and the government processes Create best practices and a predictable/transparent environment Financial reforms designed to boost the private ICT sector Employment creation by increasing the number of projects in the ICT sector Empower the ICT private sector in policy changes by getting them involved proactively

9. Joining the Knowledge Economy Not an option Contrary = Marginalization + Poverty Example: Japan – No natural resources + Earthquake/Volcano Land ICT= the greatest opportunity to leapfrog to joining the knowledge economy No major capital investment + short learning curve

10. Joining the Knowledge Economy The need to consolidate and improve the ICT infrastructure Reinforce Capacity Building Accelerate the process by fueling the ICT Private Sector

11. Access to Higher Education The gap is growing between developed and emerging countries Increased denial to access higher education and scientific knowledge, to developing and emerging countries Re-marginalization Threatened globalization More young people in the streets Reduced pool of skilled people on the world market which will directly impact the ICT Private sector Increased concerns about economic growth Cost of education is prohibitive Urgent need to make higher education accessible and affordable, need to fund research projects

12. Summary/Conclusion The need to fuel the ICT Private Sector for increased employment and economic growth in order to meet development needs in emerging countries The ICT private sector needs help to carry the full load by increasing its economic opportunities through “South South Cooperation” and “Offshoring” Governments must provide the ICT Private Sector with an “Enabling Environment for Business” in order to allow for growth and employment Access to Higher Education and Knowledge is key to sustaining the viability and growth of the ICT Private sector in emerging countries