She was speaking at a function held at the Ritz Carlton on Thursday which marked the launch of the new body. Hessa Al Jaber said ictQATAR's priority programmes include Broadband for All, which aims to provide broadband access to the community at large, with high bandwidth and competitive tariffs, and leveraging wireline and wireless technologies. "ictQATAR's mission is to create an advanced knowledge society through ICT infrastructure and skills development, the delivery of e-services and the establishment of a regulatory environment that promotes growth and benefits citizens, businesses and the government," she said.
ictQATAR will increase ICT literacy by developing ICT specialisation programmes in coordination with leading educational bodies in the country.
Other programmes will focus on the development of e-health, e-government, e-finance and e-tourism services in coordination with their respective authorities.
"Using ICT to maintain the health and promote the well-being and advancement of our citizens and residents is not only Qatar's mission but our mission too. We will support in developing Qatar's health care services to implement electronic health cards and a nation-wide healthcare network and also support the establishment of Knowledge Communities, with the help and coordination of all stakeholders," added Hessa Al-Jaber.
Talking to the press later, Hessa Al Jaber said the ictQATAR will soon come out with a comprehensive strategy and action plans concerning information and communication technology in the country. It will function as a supervisory and regulatory body and work in coordination with e-government, Qtel and other organisations in the field to speed up the country's growth towards a knowledge-based society, she added.
ictQATAR has launched its official website www.ict.gov.qa. The website includes information about ictQATAR's programmes, policies and regulations and links to news events and careers at ictQATAR.
Quelle: The Peninsula, 28.05.2005
