Michael Appel
26 February 2008
Finland has pledged €12-million in development aid over the next three years for enhancing the delivery and implementation of information communication technology infrastructure (ICT) in South Africa.
South African Communications Minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri and Finnish Minister Counsellor Marjaana Sall this week signed an agreement on a provincial information strategy dubbed Inspire, which is aimed at demonstrating how ICTs can accelerate social and economic development at a provincial level.
"We are very happy to be here today to sign this agreement and share our experiences," Sall said. "South Africa has a very special place in our development aid, and South Africa is the only country in the world that we have such a big agreement with in this portfolio."
Sall added that the Finnish embassy in Pretoria had an ICT development counsellor who would assist the South African government with the roll-out of the strategy.
Bridging the digital divide
The agreement evolved out of a review by a presidential commission of international best practices in areas of information society and development, and the recognition of Limpopo and the Northern Cape as early adopters of the information society.
The presidential commission has a leading and supervising role in the information society development in South Africa and aims to ensure that the country does not fall behind the rest of the world as a result of the digital divide.
According to the department, the commission also endeavours to define and establish a long-term vision for the country's inclusive information society programme, as well as to optimise the pace and extent of addressing South Africa's developmental challenges.
The department currently views the role of information society development as critical to both economic and social development in the country.
"Improved access to information also has an impact on the awareness, education, and social and cultural development of the public," the department said.
Source: BuaNews
