ISLAMABAD ( BMZ REPORT )
The National ICT R&D Fund’s Board of Director has principally approved three projects, during its 41st Meeting held in MoIT here in Islamabad. The meeting was chaired by Minister of State IT Mrs. Anusha Rehman, Federal Secretary IT Mr. Azmat Ali Ranjha, Chairman PTA Member Telecom, Member HR and other Board Members were also present in the meeting.
These three approved projects include “Specialized training in areas of ICT skills” , “ICT for women entrepreneurship program” and Scoping study for National Agriculture information management and dissemination system. CEO ICT R&D Fund co. has been directed by the Board to liaison with Ministry of Agriculture and National Commission for status on women (NCSW) in order to get their buy in.
Anusha Rehman said that although Pakistan is ranked 4th on the elance in terms of top earning freelance countries, however the hourly rate for each developer is quite low. ICT training program can help them to overcome their short comings to improve their skills.
The Minister further said that its our utmost desire to reduce digital divide in arena of ICT. The ICT for women entrepreneurship program will help us in leveraging ICT capacity for the benefit of our women and girls. Therefore, this Capacity building program will be initiated in federal viz a viz provincial capitals, simultaneously.
Anusha Rehman has further said that Agriculture constitutes the largest sector of Pakistan’s economy, with 24% contribution in GDP and having huge potential to become Food basket; in the central Asian region. However, utilization of ICTs is required to address the needs of sustainable growth in agriculture to maintain food security and economic growth of the country. A National Agriculture information management and dissemination system will be a step in the right direction for achieving the goal. The Board also directed ICT R&D Fund Company to liaison with Ministry of Agriculture and NCSW to get their input before finalizing the RFP.