On February 15, 2001 a coordination meeting on IT
for Development was held, jointly chaired by Mr. Antonio Vigilante,
UNDP Resident Representative, and CSD President Mr. Ognian Shentov,
and attended by local major donors, NGOs active in the IT area and
IT private sector representatives.
Mr. Vigilante made opening statements, focusing on
the IT situation in Bulgaria, the imperative to avoid duplication
of efforts through coordination of initiatives, the need of
establishing an inventory of the current initiatives, and a
development framework in view of enabling growth in the IT
area.
Mr. Shentov identified donors' and NGOs' role and
more precisely that of UNDP, accentuating on the donors' goals on
the local IT legal framework and the apparent lack of political
will and vision in that respect. He also listed the main aspects
adequately covered by Information Society legislation at present,
emphasizing on the E-Commerce Act, drafted by CSD task force, to be
passed by Parliament soon. The Coordination Council on the
Information Society was also mentioned as a notable example of
public-private partnership.
The meeting further overviewed issues of IT current
trends and future prospects, IT strategy and national program, the
need for cooperation, the Internet centers and users, etc. In
conclusion it was agreed efforts to be focused by creating a policy
framework, allowing Bulgaria to progress exponentially. A policy
task force was agreed to be formed with potential participants as
UNDP, CSD, WB, CED, USAID, BAIT, etc. and a policy paper to be
composed before elections. A meeting with the private sector, the
Bulgarian Association of IT, CISCO systems, Microsoft, Ericsson,
etc. is to be held soon.
For more information see the Minutes and Agenda of the
Meeting, and Participants' List
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