The ICT industry yesterday began discussions aimed at establishing a unified body to communicate with government.
The first project of the mooted unified body would be to engage with government and develop recommendations that will inform government`s broadband strategy.
Around 70 delegates attended a Midrand conference under the theme: Uniting the ICT industry to implement the information society. Industry representation included the SA Communications Forum (SACF), IT Association, SA Computer Society and the Electronic Industries Federation.
Growing sentiment
SACF president Eddie Funde pointed to a growing market sentiment that the ICT industry would be better served through a consistent, unified voice.
"There is a growing consensus that the cross-cutting nature of ICT requires institutional arrangement and coordination that ensure the coherence of policies, programmes and investments across relevant sectors," he said.
Funde was most recently recognised for his collaborative work with the Department of Trade and Industry. He emphasised the global economy had the potential to address many of SA`s social and economic demands.
However, he called on the industry to unite and speak with one voice. "ICT interventions must focus on promoting local innovation, rather than servicing an ICT import industry. Human capital interventions must enable our country to produce a critical mass of highly-skilled ICT professionals to support our ambitious research and development goals," he suggested.
Instead of promoting the requirements of the various sectors of the industry, the plethora of industry bodies, associations and forums diluted industry`s ability to make a meaningful impact, said Funde.
"[There are] a number of organisations and institutions driving their own initiatives separately. These are good initiatives but they lack coordination and cooperation from all stakeholders, including government."
The conference continues today at Vodaworld.
Share