Information, Communication and Technology (ICT), has become more a tool than a science. The Internet has transformed into an information infrastructure, said IT experts. The very fact that, at present, its global business accounts for $80 billion dollar, itself speaks for its ever-growing network, said IT experts at an interaction programme organised in the capital recently.
They said that the world was getting inter-connected through IT. IT has definitely redefined the way of doing business. Moreover E- commerce and E-governance have played a crucial role in promoting business, they said.
The government will soon enact the Electronic Transaction Ordinance (ETO), which will give legal recognition to electronic records and digital signatures - the basic building blocks of electronic transactions.
His Majesty's Government (HMG) had on 2061/05/30 enacted the Electronic Transaction Ordinance (ETO) also known in some quarters as Cyber Law of Nepal.
Read more: Nepal: Govt to introduce law on electronic transaction
E-government, considered a panacea in favour of eliminating allhorrible attached to the governments of developing countries, could only result in a disaster, if furthered in an unplanned and unsystematic manner. E-government, ICT driven efforts towards delivering transparent, efficient, and effective services to the citizens could only end in a neverending downward spiral. This unwanted effect is generally not due to lack of financial endorsement, political commitment, or technical expertise. Instead, the culprit of disappointment is usually inability of middle management at the ICT promotion agency of His Majesty's Government of Nepal. Non-existence of e-government master plan and a roadmap in developing countries function as a major hurdle when it comes to ICT driven government reform.
Vice Chairman of the Council of Ministers Dr. Tulsi Giri said Thursday that the establishment of High Level Commission for IT (HLCIT) indicates the government's commitment to the development of ICT in Nepal and HLCIT would be the main engine to energize growth in this sector.
Dr. Giri made the remark while inaugurating Can- Infotech organized by the Computer Association of Nepal (CAN) at Birendra International Convention Center Thursday.
Information technology (IT) has a significant role to play in maintaining good governance as it helps both the government and private sector to conduct their financial and administrative activities in a transparent manner. The governance system is one such area in which the application of IT can do miracles to control corruption, cut the red tap and deliver good governance to the public.