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