Let’s pool efforts to tap IT: Chaudhary

January 26, 2001
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Kathmandu, Jan. 26 : Minister for Science and Technology Surendra Prasad Chaudhary has said that there should be collective effort by the government, the non-government sector and civic society for the development of information technology so as to identify and utilize national resources for wiping out backwardness from the country.

Speaking at a day-long discussion programme on information technology and e-commerce for development organised by the Centre for Development and Governance here today, Minister Chaudhary expressed hope that the discussion would provide recommendations for bringing out maximum output from the industry and commerce sector at the national and international level.

National Planning Commission member Dr Rameshananda Baidhya said that as information technology is an effective medium for development every class in society should have access to it and that the government has been playing the role of motivator for the development of this sector.

Chairman of the Centre Prof. Dr Biswakesar Maskey said accelerating development in information technology has brought about radical changes in the world and the discussion programme should concentrate on challenges and legal provisions pertaining to e-commerce and its use in developing countries.

Chief of the International Trade Centre, Geneva Dr Bernard A. Ansel expressed the view that Nepal, a landlocked country full of mountains, could benefit from information technology and for this it should increase its activities at the national, regional and international level.

Economic advisor to Nepal Rastra Bank Dr Yubaraj Khatiwada said as a society based on knowledge is essential for the development of information technology Rastra Bank has given priority to this end and is providing cooperation as far as possible.

Third vice-president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Binod Bahadur Shrestha, chairman of the Computer Association of Nepal (CAN) Lochan Lal Amatya and other speakers also expressed their views.

Around 80 experts from the concerned governmental and non-government sector took part in the discussion programme aimed at providing suggestions and recommendations to the government for the development of I.T.under the 10th plan.