8.9 ICT Policy in Nepal

Due to rapid and continuous development of information and communication technology, it is increasingly at the core of strategies aimed at securing the goals of sustainable development and stimulating economic growth in countries around the world. Among others, these technologies are redefining the way social interaction takes place and public services are delivered in some fundamental ways. It is precisely along these lines that the Government of Nepal has placed a great deal of importance on transformative potential of ICTs and positioning these technologies within the larger context of its far reaching developmental aspirations premised around poverty reduction as an overarching goal. 

Apart from opportunities, the ever evolving nature of ICTs also offers a host of challenges namely issues surrounding cyber security, data protection, privacy and respect for intellectual property rights etc. Equally important is the need to address the challenges posed by technological convergence especially from regulatory and governance perspectives. Taking all these into consideration, The Government of Nepal has developed “Information and Communication Technology Policy, 2072”. 

Vision

To transform Nepal into an information and knowledge-based society through the use of ICTs.

Mission

To achieve good governance, sustainable development and objectives of poverty reduction through the use of ICTs 

Major Objectives 

·                     To make ICT accessible and affordable to all citizens.

·                     To achieve sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development through the use of ICT.

·                     To develop and expand ICT infrastructures. 

·                     To encourage research and development of ICT in order to face probable challenges in the environmental, socio-economical and technological sector.

·                     To develop human resources in the ICT sector and create the opportunities of human resource development through the use of ICT. 

·                     To promote good governance through the use of ICT. 

Policy

·                     To empower and facilitate Nepal's participation in the Global Knowledge Society. 

·                     To transform Government service delivery regime by promoting transparency, efficiency, inclusiveness and participation through effective utilization of information and communication technologies.

·                     To promote ICT to further productivity among the sectors that are key drivers of the national economy.

·                     To create an innovative, market responsive, highly competitive and well regulated ICT industry.

·                     To help develop ICT business incubators and promote start-up projects in close coordination with the private sector through the creation of a supportive ecosystem.

·                     To address gender-based inequalities and promote gender-sensitive measures to encourage the active participation of women in national and community-based ICT initiatives.

·                     To increase the competitiveness of farmers in production, processing and marketing of agricultural products and services through the effective and outcome oriented utilization of ICTs.

·                     To promote a stable, fair and competitive investment climate to facilitate the development of e-Trade and E-Commerce activities in the country.

·                     To promote the use of free and open source software as well as open standard in software development for government agencies.

·                     To foster efficient, inter-operable, secure, reliable and sustainable national ICT infrastructure in alignment with grass-root needs, and compliant with regional and international standards.

·                     To further streamline clear strategies and obligations for licensed ICT service provide with respect to universal access/service goals and Quality of Service (QoS) and ensure cost-effective connectivity to ICT services such as Internet, E-Commerce and E-Government services.

·                     To promote cost-effective and qualitative last-mile access technologies for providing secure access to the internet including commercial and public information servion,e Government applications by communities (including the disadvantaged and physically challenged) especially in rural and underserved areas.

·                     To create easily accessible, affordable and innovative public access points under a comprehensive e-Community/ Village network initiative.

·                     To create a favorable environment for cooperation and partnership in ICT among public and private sectors, civil society, and between all stakeholders at local, naion regional and international levels.

·                     To increase the institutional capacity along with infrastructure and human resource dimensions in public and private educational institutions including schools, colleges/ universities that offer ICT courses and use ICTs for pedagogical purposes.

·                     To support local and indigenous content development as well as applications targeting the capturing, archiving and dissemination of local and indigenous knowledge content and information resources as well as the promotion of diverse linguistic and cultural heritage of Nepal. 

Assignment 9

1.                  Why do we need ICT policy? List out its mission and vision.

2.                  List out any five objectives of ICT Policy 2072.