The conference is discussing issues for completing the “national strategy on IT and telecommunication development by 2010". The conference, co-organised by the Ministry of Post and Telematics and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is discussing issues for completing the “national strategy on IT and telecommunication development by 2010 and orientation towards 2020”.
The draft of the strategy, drawn up by the Institute for IT and Telecommunication Strategy, has set sights on reaching the average level in the ASEAN region in IT and telecommunications development and application by 2005. Accordingly, 70% of enterprises will harness IT in their management, supply, marketing and transactions.
The IT and telecommunications industry has become a key economic sector with average growth of 25-30% per annum, with turnover of $2bil. Vietnamese brand name personal computers serve 90% of the local demand. All cities and provinces are now connected with broadband cable lines. Vietnam has the telephone density of 13 units per 100 people, while 7.5% of the population use Internet.
The draft also proposes development of e-Government in four stages. By the end of the first stage, almost all central and local state offices will have websites that provide information to the public; 50% of basic services will be computerised and 10% of transactions in the economy will be implemented via network. By this time, public Internet access points should have been developed, ensuring information provision.
Participants at the conference applauded the draft, saying it accurately reflects the IT development situation in Vietnam. The initiatives to bring IT to rural areas and schools were especially valued.
A national coordination organ under the Government will be established to oversee implementation of the strategy. An association of IT users will be formed to increase public awareness of the role of IT and its application.
Quelle: Vietnam Economic Times, 22.12.2003
