Country ICT Profiles and ICT Indicators (2011)

Country ICT Profiles and ICT Indicators (2011)

AFGHANISTAN ............................................................................................................................................................... 2 ARMENIA ....................................................................................................................................................................... 3 AZERBAIJAN ................................................................................................................................................................... 4 BANGLADESH ................................................................................................................................................................. 5 BHUTAN ......................................................................................................................................................................... 6 BRUNEI DARUSSALAM ................................................................................................................................................... 7 CAMBODIA ..................................................................................................................................................................... 8 CHINA, PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF (PRC) ............................................................................................................................ 9 COOK ISLANDS ............................................................................................................................................................. 10 FIJI ISLANDS ................................................................................................................................................................. 11 INDIA ............................................................................................................................................................................ 13 INDONESIA ................................................................................................................................................................... 14 KAZAKHSTAN ............................................................................................................................................................... 15 KYRGYZ REPUBLIC ........................................................................................................................................................ 16 LAO PDR ....................................................................................................................................................................... 17 MALDIVES .................................................................................................................................................................... 18 REPLUBLIC OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS (RMI) ............................................................................................................ 19 MONGOLIA .................................................................................................................................................................. 20 NEPAL .......................................................................................................................................................................... 21 PAKISTAN ..................................................................................................................................................................... 22 PAPUA NEW GUINEA ................................................................................................................................................... 23 PHILIPPINES ................................................................................................................................................................. 24 SAMOA......................................................................................................................................................................... 25 SRI LANKA .................................................................................................................................................................... 26 TAJIKISTAN ................................................................................................................................................................... 27 THAILAND .................................................................................................................................................................... 28 TIMOR-LESTE ............................................................................................................................................................... 29 TONGA ......................................................................................................................................................................... 30 TURKMENISTAN ........................................................................................................................................................... 31 TUVALU ........................................................................................................................................................................ 32 UZBEKISTAN ................................................................................................................................................................. 33 VANUATU..................................................................................................................................................................... 34 VIET NAM ..................................................................................................................................................................... 35 References for Economic Profile, ICT Data, Index Rankings and Scores ...................................................................... 36

AFGHANISTAN Afghanistan was ranked as one of the world’s poorest nations in the world and the poorest country in Asia and the Pacific region in 2007. It “continues to face daunting challenges, including endemic poverty and lack of human capacity; insecurity; weak governance and institutionalized corruption; opium exports equal to 22% of gross domestic product; rampant gender inequality; and policy, regulatory, and institutional constraints that have limited effective growth in public and private sectors.”1

ICT Development in Afghanistan The ICT Policy of Afghanistan, issued in 2003, serves as the ICT development and e-Government framework of the country. The policy “aims at building a society fully benefiting from ICTs. In view of this, a nationwide ICTs infrastructure will be developed to ensure that information can be used by citizens to facilitate their endeavours and enhance democratic values for sustainable human development.” The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) of Afghanistan is mandated “to provide quality communication, IT and postal services to the population of Afghanistan at affordable prices.” In 2004, MCIT was designated as lead government entity for ICTs and for developing a National Information and Communication Technology Council of Afghanistan (NICTCA), mandated to provide advisory services to the Government in all matters related to ICTs and to act as a coordinating focal point, and conduct an e-readiness Assessment (ERA), at least biennially. Go to the MCIT’s official website: http://mcit.gov.af/en. Learn more about ADB's partnership with Afghanistan here. Access documents and other information related to Afghanistan here. Afghanistan ICT Indicators

AFGANISTAN

Key Economic Indicators 2000a 2007a 2008 2009 2010 2011

Population (millions) - - 25.11 - 29.01 26.59

GDP growth rate (% change per year) - 13.7 3.6 21.0 8.4 5.7

Source: ADB unless otherwise indicated.

Access 2000 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Fixed telephone subscribers (per 100 people)b 0.14 0.41 0.31 0.37 0.46 0.05 0.04

Mobile cellular subscribers (per 100 people)b 0.00 4.90 17.76 29.03 42.63 41.39 54.26

Internet subscribers (per 100 people)b n.d.a. 0.00 n.d.a. n.d.a. 0.01 - -

Internet users (per 100 people)b n.d.a. 1.22 1.90 1.84 3.55 3.7a 5.0

Note: Latest official data on internet subscription is from 2010.

ICT Development Indicators 2010 2012

Networked Readiness Indexc n.a. n.a.

E-Government Readiness Indexd 168 184

1 See ADB. Afghanistan country page. Available: http://www.adb.org/countries/afghanistan/main.

http://mcit.gov.af/en�

http://www.adb.org/Documents/Fact_Sheets/AFG.pdf�

http://www.adb.org/countries/afghanistan/main�

http://www.adb.org/countries/afghanistan/main�

ARMENIA ICT Development in Armenia The Armenian government considers the advancement of ICT as a significant factor in the country’s economic development. As a result, the government has invested in the ICT sector over the past years. A number of organizations have also been implementing and assessing ICT-related programs. In 2001, by virtue of Order No ՆՀ-896, the government released the “RA Concept Paper for the Development of the Industry of Information Technologies,” which provides the guidelines for creating and implementing laws aimed at transforming the country into a regional ICT hub. This also marks the creation of the Information Technologies Development Support Council (ITDSC) under the Ministry of Economy. Headed by the Prime Minister, the Council is the government’s link to other organizations and institutions in addressing issues concerning the development of ICT in the country.2

Some ICT policies that have been adopted by Armenia since 2003 include: (i) RA Law NՀO-40: On Electronic Document and Electronic Digital Signature (RA Government, 2004); (ii) RA Law NՀO-176: On Electronic Communication (RA Government, 2005); (iii) RA Government Decree No. 35: On Approving the Information Technology Sector Development (RA Ministry of Economy, 2008). In 2008, the government adopted a 10-year industry development strategy that would build countrywide ICT infrastructure, produce more competitive IT graduates, and develop financing mechanisms for new IT companies. Go to the ITDSC’s official website: http://www.ada.am/eng/secretariats/itdsc/. Learn more about ADB's partnership with Armenia here. Access documents and other information related to Armenia here. Armenia ICT Indicators ARMENIA


Population (millions) 3 - 3 - 3.26 3.27

GDP growth rate (% change per year) 5.1 13.7 6.9 (14.1) 2.1 4.5


Access 2000 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011



Internet subscribers (per 100 people)b 0.40 n.d.a. n.d.a. 2.52 2.58 3.12 -

Internet users (per 100 people)b 1.30 5.25 6.02 6.21 15.3a 44.0a n.d.a.

Note: Latest official data on internet subscription available is from 2010.


Networked Readiness Indexc 101 94


2 ISTOK-SOYUZ. 2009. Express Diagnostics of potential for ICT R&D collaboration with the EU – Armenia. Available: http://www.eeca-ict.eu/uploads/dmdocuments/ED_Armenia.pdf.

http://www.ada.am/eng/secretariats/itdsc/�

http://www.adb.org/Documents/Fact_Sheets/ARM.pdf�

http://www.adb.org/Armenia/main.asp�

http://www.eeca-ict.eu/uploads/dmdocuments/ED_Armenia.pdf�

http://www.eeca-ict.eu/uploads/dmdocuments/ED_Armenia.pdf�

AZERBAIJAN ICT Development in Azerbaijan The support of Azerbaijan’s government for the growth of the ICT sector, which includes support from profit allocation from oil and gas, has placed the country at par with the level of developed countries. In 2005, the World Economic Forum ranked Azerbaijan 29th, only 10 places behind the U.S., in terms of the level of state priorities in ICT. Some of its key state programs on ICT include:

• “National ICT Strategy for development of the Republic of Azerbaijan” (2003-2012) • “State Program on development of communication and information technologies of the Republic of

Azerbaijan in accordance with modern requirements” (2005 – 2008) (E-Azerbaijan) • “State Program on Socio-Economic Development of the Republic of Azerbaijan” (2004-2008) • “State Program on provision of secondary and primary schools with the information and communications

technologies” (2005-2007) • “State Program on poverty reduction and development”

In 2004, the government abolished the Ministry of Communications and established the Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies to develop a vision, resources, and an action plan to build a modern ICT sector. Go to the MINCOM’s official website: http://www.mincom.gov.az/en/main.html. Learn more about ADB's partnership with Azerbaijan here. Access documents and other information related to Azerbaijan here. Azerbaijan ICT Indicators

AZERBAIJAN


Population (millions) 8 9 8.03 - 9.0 9.11

GDP growth rate (% change per year) 7.3 25.1 10.8 9.3 5.0 0.1


Access 2000 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011



Internet subscribers (per 100 people)b 0.04 0.86 2.51 4.70 5.90 9.48 -

Internet users (per 100 people)b 0.15 8.03 14.54 17.08 27.40 46.7a 50.0





http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/UNTC/UNPAN018110.pdf�

http://www.mincom.gov.az/en/it.html�

http://www.mincom.gov.az/en/it.html�

http://www.mincom.gov.az/en/main.html�

http://www.adb.org/Documents/Fact_Sheets/AZE.pdf�

http://www.adb.org/Azerbaijan/default.asp�

BANGLADESH ICT Development in Bangladesh To fight poverty and improve the country’s economic standing, the government has declared ICT as a “thrust” sector and a tool to facilitate the process of establishing good governance. Through its National ICT Policy (2002), Bangladesh aimed to work towards building an ICT-driven nation comprising of a knowledge-based society by 2006, with emphasis given to building a country-wide ICT infrastructure to be used for “human resources development, governance, e-commerce, banking, public utility services and various on-line ICT-enabled services.”3 In May 2008, the government embarked on a policy review, and crafted and proposed a new policy in September 2008, which included new policy directions in line with the changing technological advancements. The major revisions include (1) a methodical framework of the policy document and (2) inclusion of planned action items in conformity with policies and strategies.4

In 2009, the government adopted the National ICT Policy 2009.

The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) is the government agency mandated to support socio-economic development by establishing access to information technology for all through research, development, successful utilization and digital management of information and communication technology. Go to the MoSICT official website: http://www.mosict.gov.bd/. Learn more about ADB's partnership with Bangladesh here. Access documents and other information related to Bangladesh here. Bangladesh ICT Indicators

BANGLADESH


Population (millions) 139 158.6 142.46 - 146.06 142.32



Access 2000 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011



Internet subscribers (per 100 people)b 0.04 0.08 n.d.a. n.d.a. n.d.a. n.d.a. - Internet users (per 100 people)b 0.07 0.24 1.8a 2.5a 3.1a 3.7a 5.0





3 See Bangladesh National ICT Policy 2002, “Vision and objectives.” Available: http://www.sdnbd.org/sdi/issues/IT-computer/itpolicy-bd-2002.htm. 4 Bangladesh National ICT Policy 2008 (proposed).

http://www.mosict.gov.bd/�

http://www.adb.org/Documents/Fact_Sheets/BAN.pdf�

http://www.adb.org/Bangladesh/�

http://www.sdnbd.org/sdi/issues/IT-computer/itpolicy-bd-2002.htm�

http://www.sdnbd.org/sdi/issues/IT-computer/itpolicy-bd-2002.htm�

BHUTAN ICT Development in Bhutan In 2003, the Royal Government of Bhutan established the Ministry of Information and Communications (MOIC) as a separate entity to coordinate ICT development in the country. That same year, the ministry formulated an ICT Policy for Bhutan (A White Paper), which highlights ICT policy, vision, strategic components, and future directions. Five strategic components necessary for ICT development, as specified in the white paper: (1) Infrastructure, (2) Human Capacity, (3) Policy, (4) Enterprise, and (5) Contents and Applications. The Bhutan ICT Policy and Strategy (BIPS), developed in 2004 as a follow up to the White Paper, serves as a reference and guidelines to coordinate ICT development across sectors. The ministry also ensures the implementation of the Bhutan Information, Communications and Media Act 2006. Under the MOIC is the Department of Information and Technology whose vision is to create an enabling environment where all Bhutanese citizens can afford and use ICT, and harness its benefits to enhance their living standards. It plays a major role in promoting ICT as an enabler of development, supporting the development of reliable ICT infrastructure, and determining the appropriateness of technologies and systems to the unique conditions of Bhutan. Go to the MOIC’s official website: http://www.moic.gov.bt/. Go to the DIT’s official website: http://www.dit.gov.bt/. Learn more about ADB's partnership with Bhutan here. Access documents and other information related to Bhutan here. Bhutan ICT Indicators BHUTAN


Population (millions) 0.56 0.66 0.67 - 0.70 0.71



Access 2000 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011






ICT Development Indicators 2010

2012

Networked Readiness Indexc - -


http://www.dit.gov.bt/sites/default/files/whitepaper.pdf�

http://www.dit.gov.bt/sites/default/files/whitepaper.pdf�

http://www.dit.gov.bt/sites/default/files/BIPS%20Final%20Report%20-%20v5.1.pdf�

http://www.dit.gov.bt/sites/default/files/BIPS%20Final%20Report%20-%20v5.1.pdf�

http://www.dit.gov.bt/sites/default/files/bicmact.pdf�

http://www.dit.gov.bt/sites/default/files/bicmact.pdf�

http://www.moic.gov.bt/�

http://www.dit.gov.bt/�

http://www.adb.org/Documents/Fact_Sheets/BHU.pdf�

http://www.adb.org/Bhutan/�

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM ICT Development in Brunei Darussalam The Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry (AITI) is Brunei’s primary government statutory body responsible for:

• Telecommunications and radio communications regulation • Radiofrequency spectrum planning and management • ICT industry development.

Under AITI is the e-Government Technical Authority Body (EGTAB), which serves as the ICT technical advisory body for developing technical policies and setting standards. AITI has the authority to enforce and drive the implementation of the country’s strategic directions for e-government. Go to the Brunei Darussalam AITI’s official website: http://www.aiti.gov.bn/. Got to EGTAB’s official website: http://www.e-government.gov.bn/egtab.html. Learn more about ADB's partnership with Brunei Darussalam here. Brunei Darussalam ICT Indicators BRUNEI DARUSSALAM


Population (millions) 0.33 0.39 0.39 0.40 0.40 0.41



Access 2000 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011



Internet subscribers (per 100 people)b n.d.a. 4.86 15.09 21.53 25.06 n.d.a. -

Internet users (per 100 people)b 9.0 36.47 44.68 46.0 a 49.0 a 50.0a 56.00


ICT Development Indicators 2010

2012



http://www.aiti.gov.bn/�

http://www.e-government.gov.bn/egtab.html�

http://www.adb.org/Documents/Fact_Sheets/BRU.pdf�

CAMBODIA ICT Development in Cambodia The Cambodian government has taken a proactive role in the development of ICT and has encouraged both training and development over the past decade. In 2005, the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport (MoEYS) began the implementation of the Policy and Strategies on Information and Communication Technology in Education in Cambodia, which was crucial to developing the capacity of higher education institutes to produce graduates in the ICT field.5

As of May 2008, Cambodia’s National ICT Policy was still under consideration. The proposed ICT framework focuses on five major areas: (1) legal and regulatory frameworks, (2) human capacity development,(3) content development, (4) ICT infrastructure, and (5) enterprise development. Meanwhile, e-Government was initiated under the Government Administration Information System (GAIS) Project, a national pilot in the capital of Phnom Penh, which involves the overall computerization of the government. The National Information Communications Technology Development Authority (NiDA) is the government entity, established in 2000 and chaired by the Prime Minister, responsible for formulating policies on IT promotion and development. It oversees the implementation of IT policies to ensure economic growth, monitors and evaluates all IT-related projects in the country, and is a permanent member of the e-Government group. Visit the NiDA website www.nida.gov.kh. Learn more about ADB's partnership with Cambodia here. Read the Country Operations Business Plan 2008-2010 here. Access documents and other information related to Cambodia here. Cambodia ICT Indicators

CAMBODIA





Access 2000 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011



Internet subscribers (per 100 people)b 0.03 0.05 0.10 0.13 n.d.a. - -






5 See Sorasak, P. & Kosona, C. 2009. Cambodia. In S. Akhtar & P. Arinto (Eds.), Digital Review of Asia Pacific 2009-2010. Available: http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev-140945-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html.

http://www.nida.gov.kh/�

http://www.adb.org/Documents/Fact_Sheets/CAM.pdf�

http://www.adb.org/Documents/CPSs/CAM/2008/COBP-CAM-2008-2010.pdf�

http://www.adb.org/cambodia/�

http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev-140945-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html�

CHINA, PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF (PRC) ICT Development in PRC The PRC recognized the benefits of ICT early on, establishing a Joint Session for National Economic Informatization in 1993. It was not until 1999 when the government online projects were implemented throughout the country. In 2000, the 15th Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) convened its 5th session and formally put forward a strategic policy of “bringing along China’s industrialization with informatization.” In 2001, the Leading Group for National Informatization formulated its first nationwide “informatization” program, with priority given to e-government development.6

In 2001, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council formed the National Informatization Leading Group. Led by the premier, the Leading Group is mandated to provide strong leadership to the promotion of informatization and to safeguard state information security. It is tasked to approve strategies, plan, regulation, decisions on national informatization, coordinate important affairs on informatization and information security, and organize key projects of computer networks and information security. The State Council Informatization Office (SCITO) serves as the Leading Group’s secretariat. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, established in 2008, is the state agency responsible for the formulation of strategies and guidelines, as well as the development and enforcement of laws and regulation pertaining to postal service, Internet, wireless, broadcasting, communication, and the IT industry. Go to the PRC’s government web portal: http://english.gov.cn/index.htm. Go to the MIIT’s official website: http://www.miit.gov.cn/n11293472/index.html. Learn more about ADB's partnership with the PRC here. Access documents and other information related to the PRC here. PRC ICT Indicators PRC


Population (millions) 1,263 1,318 1,328.65 - 1,341 1,347



Access 2000 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011



Internet subscribers (per 100 people)b 0.71 5.56 6.46 7.12 8.29 - 38.30






6 See Xiaofan Zhao (SCITO). 2006. Practice and Strategy of Informatization in China. Shangahi, China. Available: http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/APCITY/UNPAN025040.pdf; China Internet Network Information Center. The Internet Policy Timeline of China 2004-2006. Available: http://www.cnnic.cn/html/Dir/2005/07/19/3045.htm.

http://english.gov.cn/index.htm�

http://www.miit.gov.cn/n11293472/index.html�

http://www.adb.org/Documents/Fact_Sheets/PRC.pdf�

http://www.adb.org/PRC/�

http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/APCITY/UNPAN025040.pdf�

http://www.cnnic.cn/html/Dir/2005/07/19/3045.htm�

COOK ISLANDS ICT Development in the Cook Islands The government of the Cook Islands developed a National ICT Policy that was approved by the Cabinet in 2004 based on the following five guiding principles:

1. Quality of life through ICT 2. Access for all to ICT 3. Maximizing economic growth 4. Sustainable development of ICT 5. Policy and regulation of ICT

The National ICT Policy has since been reviewed and amended to align with the strategic outcomes stated in the National Sustainable Development Plan (NSDP) and to reflect current and planned ICT developments. The Cook Islands also has an Internet Use Policy in draft form, which is due for review and amendment. The Cook Islands e-Government strategy was initially developed and consulted with the various heads of ministries in 2005. The strategy has still to be ratified but contains reference to the NSDP and the National ICT Policy. The Office of the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands oversees an Information and Communications Office, which is tasked to “take overall responsibility of all ICT programmes” by promoting ICT development and supporting ICT needs across the country. Its mission is to facilitate the improvement of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure development, new business initiatives and existing services. Go the Cook Island Office of the Prime Minister’s website: http://www.pmoffice.gov.ck/. Learn more about ADB's partnership with the Cook Islands. Access documents and other information related to the Cook Islands. Cook Islands ICT Indicators

COOK ISLANDS



GDP growth rate (% change per year) - (0.2) (3.5) (3.6) 0.2 3.4


Access 2000 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011


Mobile cellular subscribers (per 100 people)b 3.14 20.98 33.88 33.91 35.10 n.d.a. n.d.a.

Internet subscribers (per 100 people)b 5.23 8.77 9.26 9.52 9.64 n.d.a. -

Internet users (per 100 people)b 15.66 26.20 25.60 25.41 30.29 n.d.a. n.d.a.




E-Government Readiness Indexd - -

http://www.pmoffice.gov.ck/images/opm/Ict_Policy2010.pdf�

http://www.pmoffice.gov.ck/images/opm/internet_policy.pdf�

http://www.pmoffice.gov.ck/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=84&Itemid=79�

http://www.pmoffice.gov.ck/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5&Itemid=2�

http://www.pmoffice.gov.ck/�

http://www.adb.org/Documents/Fact_Sheets/COO.pdf�

http://www.adb.org/CookIslands/default.asp�

FIJI ISLANDS ICT Development in the Fiji Islands The Fiji Government drafted the Information Technology Polices and Principles, which support the country’s long-term strategies for business and development. The document recommends policies and principles for ICT, particularly in developing common standards for software and hardware platforms; strategic data management; and strategic communications management. The recommended platforms are to be used by government departments in planning and installing ICT applications and solutions. Fiji also has an e-Government Framework that serves to guide e-Government implementers through the thinking process, which covers the business, process, information, applications, technology and governance aspects. There are major barriers to ICT development in the Fiji Islands, which include a lack of awareness about the benefits of ICTs to meet development needs, limited infrastructure, especially in rural areas, and the country's long-term telecommunication monopoly. With different operators for each telecommunication segment (local, mobile, international, and Internet), there is higher pricing.7

The Information Technology and Computing (ITC) Services is the official ICT department for the whole Fiji government with the mission to promote, facilitate, and deliver high quality ICT services to ministries and departments on a commercial, non-exclusive and cost-effective basis to support government strategic and operational needs. It is mandated to accomplish the following: policy development and expert advice, systems development, IT infrastructure building and maintenance, training, and customer service. Go to ITC Services’ website: http://www.itc.gov.fj/. Learn more about ADB's partnership with the Fiji Islands here. Access documents and other information related to the Fiji Islands here. Fiji Islands ICT Indicators FIJI ISLANDS



GDP growth rate (% change per year) 2.20 (0.9) 1.0 (1.3) (0.2) 2.1


Access 2000 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011




Internet users (per 100 people)b 1.50 8.45 10.90 12.20 13.45 14.8a 28





7 ITU. 2004. Fiji Case Study. http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/cs/fiji/index.html.

http://www.itc.gov.fj/images/stories/policies/Fiji_Govt_IT_Policy.pdf�

http://www.itc.gov.fj/index.php/egovernment/our-e-gov-framework�

http://www.itc.gov.fj/�

http://www.adb.org/Documents/Fact_Sheets/FIJ.pdf�

http://www.adb.org/FijiIslands/default.asp�

http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/cs/fiji/index.html�

GEORGIA ICT Development in Georgia The development of Georgia’s ICT sector is under the supervision of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, through its Department of Communications and IT, and the Georgian National Communications Commission (GNCC). The ICT Department’s main activities include, among others: (i) determination and monitoring of the main directions of communications, post and ICT state policy and its corresponding legislative-normative base; (ii) definition of the short- mid- and long-term development strategy and priority issues for Communications, Post and ICT networks and applications; and (iii) elaboration of Georgian e-Governance concept, strategic plan and program for accomplishing efficient state governance, based on the development of ICTs. The Commission regulates the telecommunications and broadcasting industry. In 2006, Georgia took its first step toward e-Governance through the launching of the Georgian Governmental Network (GGN) Project. This aims to enable stable and secure communication among the country’s government bodies and institutions through the creation of IP protocol-supported, integrated, and protected VPN computers. This will lower the communication costs of the state as it allows online interconnection and fast exchange of digital data.8

In recent years, Georgia’s government has enacted several laws geared toward ICT development: • The Law of Georgia on e-Signature and e-Documents (2008) • The Law of Georgia Law of Electronic Communications (2005)

Go to the DCIT’s webpage: http://www.economy.ge/?category=20&lang=eng. Learn more about ADB's partnership with Georgia here. Access documents and other information related to Georgia here.

Georgia ICT Indicators GEORGIA


Population (millions) 5 - 4 - 4.44 4.47



Access 2000 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011



Internet subscribers (per 100 people)b n.d.a. 3.99 2.01 2.31 4.14 5.84 -

Internet users (per 100 people)b 0.48 6.08 8.26 10.0a 19.9a 26.3a 36.56





8 EU-EECA ICT Cluster. 2009. ICT Environment in Georgia. Available: http://www.eeca-ict.eu/uploads/dmdocuments/ICT_Environment_in_Georgia.pdf.

http://www.gncc.ge/?lang_id=ENG�

http://www.gncc.ge/?lang_id=ENG�

http://www.economy.ge/?category=20&lang=eng�

http://www.adb.org/Documents/Fact_Sheets/GEO.pdf�

http://www.adb.org/Georgia/main.asp�

http://www.eeca-ict.eu/uploads/dmdocuments/ICT_Environment_in_Georgia.pdf�

http://www.eeca-ict.eu/uploads/dmdocuments/ICT_Environment_in_Georgia.pdf�

INDIA ICT Development in India India is one of the global leaders in the development of its ICT industry. It enacted the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000,9 which provided legal recognition for “digital signatures” in transactions carried out via electronic data interchange and other means of electronic communication. Commonly referred to as "electronic commerce," this involves the use of alternatives to paper-based methods of communication and storage of information, and facilitates electronic filing of documents with the government. This policy was amended as IT Policy (Amendment) Act 2008,10 which now referred to the digital signature as “electronic signature.” India is also a developing country leader in e-Government. In 2006, India approved a National e-Governance Plan in 2006, comprising 27 Mission Mode Projects (MMPs) for the central and state governments, as well as integrated projects.11 It also laid down the policy for open standards for e-Governance for government offices and companies.12

The Department of Information Technology under the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology is the government entity mandated to oversee, among others, policy matters relating to ICT, electronics and the internet, initiatives for the development of the hardware/software industry including knowledge-based enterprises, measures for promoting IT exports and competitiveness of the industry, and the promotion of IT and IT enabled services and the internet. Go to the DIT’s official website: http://www.mit.gov.in/default.aspx?id=190. Learn more about ADB's partnership with India here. Access documents and other information related to India here. India ICT Indicators INDIA


Population (millions) 1,016 1,125 1,150.20 - 1,182.11 1,210.19



Access 2000 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011









9 See IT Policy Act (2000), http://www.mit.gov.in/download/itbill2000.pdf. 10 See IT Policy (Amendment) Act, 2008 http://www.mit.gov.in/download/it_amendment_act2008.pdf. 11 See India’s central, state, and integrated MMPs at http://www.mit.gov.in/default.aspx?id=832. 12 See India’s e-Governance Standards Portal at http://egovstandards.gov.in/.

http://www.mit.gov.in/default.aspx?id=190�

http://www.adb.org/Documents/Fact_Sheets/IND.pdf�

http://www.adb.org/India/�

http://www.mit.gov.in/download/itbill2000.pdf�

http://www.mit.gov.in/download/it_amendment_act2008.pdf�

http://www.mit.gov.in/default.aspx?id=832�

http://egovstandards.gov.in/�

INDONESIA ICT Development in Indonesia Indonesia has adopted ICT as a tool for governance and development. Its national ICT vision is “to bring into reality a modern information society, prosperous and high competitive, with strong supported by ICT.” In April 2001, A five-year National ICT Plan of Action for Indonesia was issued, followed in 2003 by the formation of the ICT Coordinating Team (TKTI) and the National Policy on e-Government Development. On 25 March 2008, the House of Representative approved and enacted Law No 11 of 2008 concerning Information and Electronic Transactions, which regulates, among other things: (i) the use of electronic documents and/or information as evidence before Indonesian Courts; (ii) electronic signatures; (iii) electronic transactions; (iv) domain name, intellectual properties, and protection of personal rights; and (v) the illegal actions and criminal penalties may be imposed by the government.13

The government has also formulated the National Information System Conceptual Framework (2010).

The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (Departemen Komunikasi dan Informatika Republik Indonesia) is the government agency mandated to formulate and implement national and technical policies in communication and informatics, including postal service, telecommunications, broadcasting, information technology and communications, multimedia services, and information dissemination. The Indonesia National ICT Council (Dewan TIK Nasional — DETIKNAS) was established in 2006 to accelerate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) growth through policies that would synchronize the ICT programs of all government departments, ministries, and units. Go to the MICT’s official website http://kominfo.go.id/. Go to the National ICT Council’s website: www.detiknas.org/. Learn more about ADB's partnership with Indonesia here. Access documents and other information related to Indonesia here. Indonesia ICT Indicators INDONESIA





Access 2000 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011



Internet subscribers (per 100 people)b 0.18 0.82 0.68 0.73 n.d.a. n.d.a. -






13 See details at http://www.makarim.com/news/LegalUpdates_item.asp?modID=186.

http://www.cgap.org/p/site/c/template.rc/1.1.6079/�

http://kominfo.go.id/�

http://www.detiknas.org/�

http://www.adb.org/Documents/Fact_Sheets/INO.pdf�

http://www.adb.org/indonesia/�

http://www.makarim.com/news/LegalUpdates_item.asp?modID=186�

KAZAKHSTAN ICT Development in Kazakhstan The Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Article 44, sub-paragraph 8) states that the government must provide citizens and businesses with fast and quality access to public services and to enhance the efficiency of government agencies through extensive use of ICT.14 In pursuance of this, the government created an e-Government program in 2004, which encompasses central and local government agencies. The e-Government program for 2008-2010 was approved in November 2007. The State Information Technologies Policy Department under the Ministry of Transport and Communications comprises of four departments crucial to overseeing ICT development: (i) State Informatization Policy Office; (ii) the E-Government Development and Promotion Office; (iii) New Informatization Model & Project Documentation Analysis Office; and (iv) the e-Government Protection Office. Go to the MTC’s official website: http://mtc.gov.kz/index.php?lang=en. Learn more about ADB's partnership with Kazakhstan here. Access documents and other information related to Kazakhstan here. Kazakhstan ICT Indicators

KAZAKHSTAN





Access 2000 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011



Internet subscribers (per 100 people)b n.d.a. 1.99 4.41 4.47 4.78 9.63 -






14 See N. Nazarbayev. On National Program for Building up e-Government in the Republic of Kazakhstan in 2005 to 2007. Available: http://www.aic.gov.kz/?mod=static&lng=eng&id=33.

http://www.aic.gov.kz/?mod=static&lng=eng&id=36�

http://mtc.gov.kz/index.php?lang=en�

http://www.adb.org/Documents/Fact_Sheets/KAZ.pdf�

http://www.adb.org/Kazakhstan/default.asp�

http://www.aic.gov.kz/?mod=static&lng=eng&id=33�

KYRGYZ REPUBLIC ICT Development in Kyrgyz Republic The National Strategy for ICTs for Development15 in Kyrgyz Republic was developed within its Complex Development Framework up to 2010 (CDF). The government “chooses an information society”16

and believes that ICTs provide opportunities to achieve CDF objectives, accelerate economic development, and reduce poverty. “Effective, transparent and accountable public administration and local self-governance through ICT application” is a priority of the National Strategy. Other main priorities include: (i) public administration and local self-government (e-governance) - effective, transparent and accountable public administration through utilization of ICT; (ii) education - human capacity building and training of staff in ICT; and (iii) electronic economy (information business, electronic commerce, regional business center in Central Asia).

Several government bodies focus on ICT development. The ICT Council is a consultation institution under the President tasked to coordinate the process of defining and implementing policy related to ICT and direct projects and programmes for implementation of the National Strategy. Under the ICT Council is the Informatisation and Telecommunications Department (ITD) in charge of provisional organizational, methodological and other activities to state bodies in using ICT. The Department of Informatisation is a government entity within the Ministry of Transport and Communications in charge of implementing the main trends of state policy and coordination activities in the area of informatization carried out at the governmental level. Go to the ICT Council’s official website: http://www.ict.kg/. Learn more about ADB's partnership with the Kyrgyz Republic here. Access documents and other information related to the the Kyrgyz Republic here. Kyrgyz Republic ICT Indicators

KYRGYZ REPUBLIC



GDP growth rate (% change per year) 5.4 8.5 8.4 2.9 (0.5) 5.7


Access 2000 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011



Internet subscribers (per 100 people)b 0.05 0.28 0.39 0.59 0.90 1.29 0.39

Internet users (per 100 people)b 1.04 10.53 13.7 15.4 - 19.6a 20.0





15 See http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/APCITY/UNPAN012317.pdf. 16 As declared by President Askar Akaev in the World Economic Forum in Davos (Switzerland) in 1998. K.M. Jumaliev, Document WSIS/PC-2/CONTR/92-E, February 14, 2003.

http://www.ict.kg/�

http://www.adb.org/Documents/Fact_Sheets/KGZ.pdf�

http://www.adb.org/KyrgyzRepublic/default.asp�

http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/APCITY/UNPAN012317.pdf�

LAO PDR ICT Development in Lao PDR Lao PDR is grappling with several major constraints in ICT development, primarily due to the absence of a national information infrastructure. In 2009, the country had five telecom operators and 12 internet service providers (ISPs).17 There is no ICT legislation that defines the development of the ICT environment in Lao PDR. Back in 2007, a National ICT Policy draft was submitted to the government for approval. But the long absence of a framework has led to uncoordinated ICT initiatives in the country. ICT infrastructure and human resource are still lacking. The appropriate ICT institution has yet to be established. Government ministries and agencies have no linkage to the central government as well as provincial level. China has vowed to help by providing Lao PDR with funding, personnel, equipment and technical assistance to help build its ICT infrastructure.18

The Department of Information Technology, under the National Authority for Science and Technology (NAST), is tasked with formulating and implementing IT policies and strategies. The Department of Telecom and Internet, in charge of overall administration and development of telecommunications and the Internet, operates under the National Authority of Posts and Telecommunications (NAPT). The NAPT is an organization under the Prime Minister minister chairs the Lao National Internet Committee (LANIC), tasked with Internet management and development, including the operation of the national Internet gateway, Internet exchange point, and country code top level domain name.19

Visit the NAST website http://www.nast.gov.la/index.php/en. Visit the NAPT website http://www.napt.gov.la/napt/home.html. Learn more about ADB's partnership with Lao PDR here. Access documents and other information related to Lao PDR here. Lao PDR ICT Indicators

LAO PDR





Access 2000 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011



Internet subscribers (per 100 people)b 0.03 0.11 0.09 0.22 0.26 n.d.a. -

Internet users (per 100 people)b 0.11 0.85 1.64 3.55 6.0 7.0 9.0





17 Phissamay, P. 2009. Lao People’s Democratic Republic. In Akhtar, S. & Arinto, P. (Eds.), Digital Review of Asia Pacific 2009-2010. Available: http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev-140958-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html. 18 Pongern, Songrit. China to Help Laos Become e-Government. VOA.com. Available: http://www.voanews.com/lao/archive/2008-01/2008-01-30-voa2.cfm. 19 Digital Review of Asia Pacific (2009-2010). Available: http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev-140958-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html.

http://www.nast.gov.la/index.php/en�

http://www.napt.gov.la/napt/home.html�

http://www.adb.org/Documents/Fact_Sheets/CAM.pdf�

http://www.adb.org/laoPDR/�


http://www.voanews.com/lao/archive/2008-01/2008-01-30-voa2.cfm�

http://www.voanews.com/lao/archive/2008-01/2008-01-30-voa2.cfm�


MALDIVES ICT Development in Maldives The Maldives is an archipelago of that faces a huge challenge in connecting its 1,000+ islands. Telecommunications and ICT services are available in the capital of Male, but the other islands only have basic telephone services. The Communications Authority of Maldives (CAM), empowered by the Maldives Telecommunication Regulation (2003), was created in 2003 as a separate entity to regulate and promote competition in the telecommunications and postal sector. The National Center for Information Technology (NCIT) was established in the same year with the mandate to developing, promoting and propagating IT in the Maldives. Both entities are under the Ministry of Transport and Communication, which is in charge of policymaking. ICT development is driven mostly by the Maldives Telecommunications Policy and the National IT Policy. The Maldives Telecommunications Policy 2006–2010, issued in 2006, aimed at expanding the national telecom infrastructure to provide broadband services to all parts of the country without any discriminatory charges. The National IT Policy was a collaborative effort between UNDP Maldives and the National Centre for Information Technology (NCIT) of the Ministry of Transport and Communication, but the project ran into delays due to the unavailability of local consultants to work on the project and the change in government structure.20

Go to the MTC’s official website: http://www.transport.gov.mv/. Go to the CAM’s official website: http://www.cam.gov.mv/. Go to the NCIT official website: http://www.ncit.gov.mv/. Learn more about ADB's partnership with Maldives here. Access documents and other information related to Maldives here. Maldives ICT Indicators

MALDIVES





Access 2000 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011









20 Ibrahim, M. & Ahmed, I. 2009. Maldives. In S. Akhtar, M. Abu Hassan, P. Arinto (Eds.), Digital Review of Asia Pacific 2009-2010. Available: http://www.digital-review.org/uploads/files/pdf/2009-2010/chap-30_maldives.pdf.

http://www.transport.gov.mv/�

http://www.cam.gov.mv/�

http://www.ncit.gov.mv/�

http://www.adb.org/Documents/Fact_Sheets/MLD.pdf�

http://www.adb.org/Maldives/default.asp�

http://www.digital-review.org/uploads/files/pdf/2009-2010/chap-30_maldives.pdf�

REPLUBLIC OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS (RMI) ICT Development in the RMI RMI consists of five coral islands and 29 major atolls, spread across the South Pacific between Hawaii and Papua New Guinea, with majority of the population residing in Majuro and Ebeye. As such, its main challenge in ICT development is its low population density spread over a huge area. Another constraint is the lack of focus and coordination in ICT development, with each government arm developing its projects based on its own needs.21 In 2001, the government of RMI launched Vision 2018 as the first segment of the government’s Strategic Development Plan for the next 15 years. After the adoption of Vision 2018, Master Plans were developed in the following major policy sectors: Human Resources Development, Outer Islands Development, Culture and Traditions, Environment, Resources and Development, Information Technology, Private Sector Development, Infrastructure, and Tourism. There are several ICT projects in the Marshall Islands funded by various donor and multilateral financial organizations. It is included in the e-Pacific Island Countries (e-PIC) project with support from the European Union, African Carribbean, Pacific Group of States (ACP), Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA), ITU, UNESCAP, UNDP, and the ADB. Go to the RMI government web portal: http://www.rmigovernment.org/index.jsp. Learn more about ADB's partnership with the RMI here. Access documents and other information related to the RMI here. RMI ICT Indicators MARSHALL ISLANDS



GDP growth rate (% change per year) 3.7 3.5 (1.9) (1.3) 5.2 5.0


Access 2000 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Fixed telephone subscribers (per 100 people)b 7.67 8.46 8.38 8.32 8.24 8.14 -

Mobile cellular subscribers (per 100 people)b 0.86 1.27 2.86 3.78 5.62 7.03 -

Internet subscribers (per 100 people)b 0.78 n.d.a. n.d.a. n.d.a. n.d.a. n.d.a. n.d.a.

Internet users (per 100 people)b 1.53 3.88 3.71 3.63 3.55 n.d.a. n.d.a.




E-Government Readiness Indexd - -

21 Vaa, R. (undated). Marshall Islands: ICT Use in Education. UNESCO Meta-survey on the Use of Technologies in Education. UNESCO, Bangkok. http://www.unescobkk.org/fileadmin/user_upload/ict/Metasurvey/marshallislands.pdf.

http://rmigovernment.org/files/roadmap/vision2018.pdf�

http://www.rmigovernment.org/index.jsp�

http://www.adb.org/Documents/Fact_Sheets/RMI.pdf�

http://www.adb.org/MarshallIslands/default.asp�

http://www.unescobkk.org/fileadmin/user_upload/ict/Metasurvey/marshallislands.pdf�

MONGOLIA ICT Development in Mongolia The government of Mongolia has been working to create an enabling environment for the growth and exploitation of the potential benefits of ICT. In 2004, the Information and Communication Technology Authority (now called Information, Communications Technology and Post Authority or ICPTA) was established under the Prime Minister of Mongolia to coordinate and facilitate ICT development in the country, develop ICT policies, and oversee their coordination and implementation. Mongolia has issued a number of ICT development plans since 2000, which include: (i) National ICT vision-2010 (Parliament, 2000); (ii) Master Plan for Development of Rural Telecommunication up to 2021 (MOI and JICA, 2003); (iii) e-Mongolia National Program 2005-2012 (ICTA and KIPA, 2005); and (iv) e-Government Master Plan Study (2005-2010) (ICTA, 2005). The e-Mongolia National Program was reviewed in 2009, and the government’s priorities in ICT has been redefined. There are a number of policies and regulation that govern the ICT sector:

• Law on Communications (approved in 1995 and amended in 2001 and 2008) • Law on Radio Wave (approved in 1999) • Law on Post (approved in 2003 and amended in 2007) • Law on Licensing Business Activities (approved in 2001) • Law on Government’s Special Fund (approved in 2006)

Go to the ICTPA’s official website: http://www.ictpa.gov.mn/en/. Learn more about ADB's partnership with Mongolia here. Access documents and other information related to Mongolia here. Mongolia ICT Indicators MONGOLIA





Access 2000 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011




Internet users (per 100 people)b 1.26 10.52 12.25 12.49 12.6a 12.9a 20.0





http://www.ictpa.gov.mn/en/�

http://www.adb.org/Documents/Fact_Sheets/MON.pdf�

http://www.adb.org/Mongolia/�

NEPAL ICT Development in Nepal ICT development in Nepal began in 2000, with the passage of the IT Policy. Other related policies include the Telecommunications Policy (2004), an e-Government Master Plan (2006), and Electronic Transaction Act and Digital Signature Act and Cyber Law (2007). The IT Policy (2000) aims to: (1) make ICT accessible to the general public; (2) make ICT effective in generating employment; (3) encourage the development of a knowledge-based society; and (4) knowledge-based industry. The government also passed a Long-term Policy of ICT Sector in 2003, which covers the portal, printing, telecommunications, information dissemination and journalism, and broadcasting sectors, motion picture and advertisement. The Ministry of Information & Communications (MOIC) is responsible for postal services, telecommunications, broadcasting, press and information, and film development. Its objective is to develop and expand the ICT sector to the rural areas in the form of infrastructure for social and economic development, through wide spread participation of the private sector. Go to the MOIC official website: http://www.moic.gov.np/. Learn more about ADB's partnership with Nepal here. Access documents and other information related to Nepal here. Nepal ICT Indicators NEPAL





Access 2000 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011



Internet subscribers (per 100 people)b 0.05 0.16 0.28 n.d.a. n.d.a. 0.43 -






http://www.moic.gov.np/�

http://www.adb.org/Documents/Fact_Sheets/NEP.pdf�

http://www.adb.org/Nepal/�

PAKISTAN ICT Development in Pakistan Pakistan began to actively work on ICT development in 2000, beginning with the approval of an IT Policy in order to “rapidly develop the infrastructure in synchrony with the creation of excellently trained individuals and teams.” An Action Plan for Year 2000-2001 provided the framework for the implementation of this policy, which included priority areas and specific projects. In June 2008, the government initiated a broad-based consultative process to formulate a National IT Policy for next five years.22

The Ministry of IT (MoIT), established in 2002, is the national focal ministry and enabling arm of the government of Pakistan for planning, coordinating, and directing efforts to initiate and launch IT and telecommunications programs and projects. Its principal agenda is to build Pakistan’s IT competency in the 21st century and its major objectives include: (i) transformation to e-government, (ii) development of the software industry, (iii) building a state of art infrastructure, and (iv) development of a human resource pool for ICT. In 2001, Pakistan’s e-Government program was launched: (1) to encourage ICTs for enabling information and services delivery to the citizens in a cost effective manner, (2) to initiate measures for reengineering of work flow in government departments to enable electronic services delivery to citizens to bring efficiency in operation, and (3) to bring transparency in government functions and access to information. In 2002, the Electronic Government Directorate was established, and in 2005, an e-Government Strategy and 5-Year Plan was issued.23

Go to the MoIT’s official website: http://www.moitt.gov.pk/. Learn more about ADB's partnership with Pakistan here. Access documents and other information related to Pakistan here. Pakistan ICT Indicators

PAKISTAN





Access 2000 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011




Internet users (per 100 people)b n.d.a. 6.33 10.11 15.8 16.6a 16.8a 9.0





22 See Ministry of IT. IT Policy Review Letter. Available: http://202.83.164.26/wps/wcm/connect/030ee4804a425e99b6abfe6e76933b65/letter_IT+Policy+Review.doc?MOD=AJPERES. 23 See http://www.e-government.gov.pk/.

http://www.moitt.gov.pk/�

http://www.adb.org/Documents/Fact_Sheets/PAK.pdf�

http://www.adb.org/Pakistan/�

http://202.83.164.26/wps/wcm/connect/030ee4804a425e99b6abfe6e76933b65/letter_IT+Policy+Review.doc?MOD=AJPERES�

http://www.e-government.gov.pk/�

PAPUA NEW GUINEA ICT Development in Papua New Guinea The telecommunications and ICT sector of Papua New Guinea changed with the granting of two new licenses in the mobile sector in 2005. In March 2009, a review was completed that recommended to the National Executive Council the introduction of open competition in the ICT sector and the transition to phase 2 of reforms in ICT/telecommunications. It also reflected the outcome of a public consultation process that began in 2008.24 In 2010, a few reforms took place: (i) passage of a new ICT Act; (ii) creation of a new industry regulator (the National Information and Communication Technology Authority or NICTA); and (iii) the commencement of a new regulatory regime in November 2010.25

In November 2009, the Parliament enacted the National Information and Communications Technology Act (the National ICT Act), which was certified on February 11, 2010. A notice on the law was published in the National Gazette on March 10, 2010. The Department of Communication and Information (DCI) has jurisdiction over information services, policy, research and development, and provides support services for the Minister for State Enterprises and Information, and, recently, privatization function. Its primary responsibilities include collecting, collating, and disseminating government development information to information and educate the general public, research and develop information and communication policies, and coordinate among the communication entities on the implementation of related policies. Go to the DCI’s official website: Learn more about ADB's partnership with Papua New Guinea. Access documents and other information related to Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea ICT Indicators PAPUA NEW GUINEA





Access 2000 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011



Internet subscribers (per 100 people)b 0.50 n.d.a. n.d.a. n.d.a. n.d.a. - -






24 See Expert’s Report on National ICT Policy Phase 2 Reforms, http://masalai.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/0902-final-experts-report.pdf. 25 See PNG’s ICT evolution, http://www.businessadvantageinternational.com/PNG_2011_pp32_34.pdf.

http://www.communication.gov.pg/�

http://www.adb.org/Documents/Fact_Sheets/PNG.pdf�

http://www.adb.org/PapuaNewGuinea/default.asp�

http://masalai.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/0902-final-experts-report.pdf�

http://www.businessadvantageinternational.com/PNG_2011_pp32_34.pdf�

PHILIPPINES ICT Development in the Philippines In 2003, the Philippine government crafted and approved the Philippine ICT Strategic Roadmap (revised and re-issued in 2006), which provided the country’s first overall framework for ICT development, outlining strategic programs and initiatives on ICT infrastructure (universal access), ICT applications, human capital, e-governance, and enhancing business development. The roadmap also contained the legal and policy framework for ICT programs, including the proposal to create a ministry-level agency on ICT—envisioned to be the primary policy, planning, coordinating, implementing, and administrative entity to ensure effective coordination and implementation of the national ICT agenda.26

The IT and E-Commerce Council (ITECC) was created through an executive order in 2000 to oversee the implementation of the national ICT agenda. It was upgraded in 2004 into the Commission on ICT (CICT), which then served as a transition entity prior to the creation of a department. However, the CICT was abolished in 2011 and replaced with the ICT Office (ICTO) under the Department of Science and Technology, again by virtue of an executive order. The ICTO has formally adopted the Philippine Digital Strategy for 2011-2016, developed through a consultative process by the former CICT. Up until 2012, the bill proposing to create a department of ICT is still pending in Congress. Go to the DOST’s official website: http://www.dost.gov.ph/. Learn more about ADB's partnership with the Philippines here. Access documents and other information related to the Philippines here. Philippines ICT Indicators PHILIPPINES





Access 2000 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011



Internet subscribers (per 100 people)b 0.52 1.68 2.93 3.93 3.93 - -

Internet users (per 100 people)b 1.98 5.40 6.0 6.22 9.0 a 25.0a 29.0





26 Philippine Strategic Roadmap for the ICT Sector: Empowering a Nation through ICT. 40. Available: http://lastmileinitiative.ph/stratplan/.

http://www.dost.gov.ph/�

http://www.adb.org/Documents/Fact_Sheets/PHI.pdf�

http://www.adb.org/philippines/�

http://lastmileinitiative.ph/stratplan/�

SAMOA ICT Development in Samoa A National ICT Committee was created in 2001 and housed in the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT). Chaired by the Prime Minister, this committee includes key experts from several government institutions and is responsible for ICT development and policy implementation in the country. Its vision is to provide ICT to every Samoan, and it follows the principles outlined in the Pacific Islands ICTs Policy and Strategic Plan—a regional ICT policy and planning framework. Samoa has a National Strategic Plan for ICT 2004-2009,27

with a vision to harness ICT as an enabler of social and economic development for Samoa and a mission to provide all sectors to high quality, affordable, safe, secured & appropriate ICT services to ultimately sustain high standard of living in Samoa, and thereby helping to reduce hardship and poverty. The strategy provides a framework and a focus for the roll out of ICT at the national level. The key issues addressed in the strategy include: (1) access to ICT, (2) confidence and Security in the use of ICT, (3) capacity building to use ICT as a tool for development, and (4) gender equity

The MCIT facilitates, leads, and implements the government’s vision for ICT development in Samoa. The National ICT Committee serves as a steering committee that develops policies and strategies for cross-sectoral ICT awareness programs, developing and retaining an ICT workforce, sustainable rural connectivity, and ICT networks and infrastructure in Governments, private sector and civil society, among others. The ICT Secretariat, a semi-autonomous body working alongside the MCIT, was established in 2006 to fulfill the objectives of the National ICT Strategy and its vision “ICT for All.” As such, it is tasked to implement projects in line with the ICT strategy and represent Samoa at regional and international ICT Workshops. It is involved in major ICT projects such as E-government, Rural Connectivity Program, Mobile Computer Laboratory (SchoolNet), and Capacity building for ICT. Go to the MCIT’s official website: http://www.mcit.gov.ws/. Learn more about ADB's partnership with Samoa here. Access documents and other information related to Samoa here.

SAMOA





Access 2000 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Fixed telephone subscribers (per 100 people)b 4.83 10.82 14.18 15.84 17.49 19.28 n.d.a.

Mobile cellular subscribers (per 100 people)b 1.42 13.32 47.44 68.20 82.78 91.43 n.d.a.

Internet subscribers (per 100 people)b 0.17 n.d.a. n.d.a. n.d.a. n.d.a. n.d.a. -

Internet users (per 100 people)b 0.57 3.35 4.75 5.03 6.0a 7.0a n.d.a.





27 See http://www.mcit.gov.ws/UserFiles/File/Approved_NATIONAL_ICT_Strategy_2.pdf.

http://www.mcit.gov.ws/�

http://www.adb.org/Documents/Fact_Sheets/SAM.pdf�

http://www.adb.org/Samoa/default.asp�

http://www.mcit.gov.ws/UserFiles/File/Approved_NATIONAL_ICT_Strategy_2.pdf�

SRI LANKA ICT Development in Sri Lanka Sri Lanka has had a long history of ICT development, beginning with its National Computer Policy of 1983. But it was not until the launch of the e-Sri Lanka initiative in 2002 when the country began to develop an ICT roadmap that sought to address the digital divide by disseminating ICTs to the regions and to provinces outside of the capital Colombo.28 e-Sri Lanka was envisioned as a framework for creating an enabling environment where government works in partnership with stakeholders to create the infrastructure and establish e-government services. The e-Sri Lanka roadmap transformed into the multi-donor funded e-Sri Lanka Development Project, which resulted in the enactment of the Information and Communication Technology Act no. 27 of 2003, under which the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) was established as the lead and implementing organization for e-Sri Lanka.29 The ICTA’s mandate was strengthened by the ICT (Amendment) Act no. 30 of 2008, making the apex ICT policymaking body and executive agency for ICT.30

In 2003, the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) was created as a government-owned, limited private company reporting to the Minister of Economic Reform, Science and Technology. It is tasked to implement the e-Sri Lanka Roadmap and Re-engineering Government (Re-Gov). Go to the ICTA official website: http://www.icta.lk/. Learn more about ADB's partnership with Sri Lanka here. Access documents and other information related to Sri Lanka here. Sri Lanka ICT Indicators

SRI LANKA





Access 2000 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011









28 See International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP). 2005. Sri Lanka Country Report. http://www.ifip.org/minutes/GA2005/Rep_SriLanka1.pdf. 29 See ICTA. 2009. Policy and Procedures for ICT Usage in Government (e-Government Policy). http://www.icta.lk/attachments/759_ICT_Policies_and_Procedures_for_Government_V_9_English_Jan_08_2010.pdf. 30 Hapuarchchi, A. 2011, December. Application of ICT in Rural Development in Sri Lanka. Global Media Journal – Indian Edition, 2(2): 1-13.

http://www.icta.lk/�

http://www.adb.org/Documents/Fact_Sheets/SRI.pdf�

http://www.adb.org/SriLanka/�

http://www.ifip.org/minutes/GA2005/Rep_SriLanka1.pdf�

http://www.icta.lk/attachments/759_ICT_Policies_and_Procedures_for_Government_V_9_English_Jan_08_2010.pdf�

TAJIKISTAN ICT Development in Tajikistan The main technology used to access the internet in Tajikistan is very small aperture terminal (VSAT) technology. Though this technology is considered one of the most expensive in the world, it is 24% to 30% cheaper than fibre-optic connectivity in Tajikistan. Due to its geographic isolation, Tajikistan is not along the main route of the only transnational fibre-optic communication line in the region, the Trans-Asia-Europe Fibre Optical Cable System (TAEFOS). Only two out of 10 internet service providers have connections to TAEFOS, via Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. Fibre connectivity is mainly used for voice data.31

The president of the republic is the key authority ratifying the main legal documents for the ICT sector and directing ICT policy in the country. However, three state entities are tasked with ICT: the Security Council (SC), the ICT Council, and the Ministry of Communications. The SC controls the implementation of the State Strategy on ICTs for Development of the Republic of Tajikistan (e-Strategy).32

The Presidential ICT Council, established in February 2006, is tasked to implement and coordinate the country’s e-Strategy. The Ministry of Communications is the main regulator of the telecommunications industry empowered to issue licenses for any related activities.

Despite these developments, Tajikistan remains to have a weak human capacity for ICT, as determined by a joint study conducted by the by the Presidential ICT Council and the Civil Internet Policy Initiative (CIPI) in 2007. The study also revealed, among others, that the country lacked policy on ICT implementation in the education and other sectors, most users like the academic community and secondary education system use specific proprietary software that cannot be adapted to local needs, and the local community of developers is weak. Go to the President’s official website: http://www.president.tj/en. Learn more about ADB's partnership with Tajikistan here. Access documents and other information related to Tajikistan here. Tajikistan ICT Indicators TAJIKISTAN



GDP growth rate (% change per year) 1.1 7.8 7.9 3.4 6.5


Access 2000 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011



Internet subscribers (per 100 people)b 0.00 n.d.a. n.d.a. n.d.a. n.d.a. n.d.a. -






31 See Global Information Society Watch. 2008. http://www.giswatch.org/gisw2008/country/pdf/Tajikistan.pdf. 32 See Internet Governance Forum. (n.d.). Best Practice Forum: Tajikistan http://www.intgovforum.org/BPP2.php?went=3.

http://www.president.tj/eng/index_eng.htm�

http://www.adb.org/Documents/Fact_Sheets/TAJ.pdf�

http://www.adb.org/Tajikistan/default.asp�

http://www.giswatch.org/gisw2008/country/pdf/Tajikistan.pdf�

http://www.intgovforum.org/BPP2.php?went=3�

THAILAND ICT Development in Thailand In 1996, Thailand introduced its first national information technology policy, known as IT 2000. Initiated and developed by the National Information Technology Committee (NITC), the policy framework promoted and drove national IT development in Thailand. The focus of IT 2000 include information infrastructure, human resource development, and good governance. In response to changing demands and technological development, the NITC secretariat, the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC), developed the second phase of the National IT Policy, now called IT 2010, to cover the period 2001-2010.33

The NITC was established in 1987 to oversee the policy aspect of information technology development and deployment in Thailand. Meanwhile, the NECTEC is a statutory government organization under the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Ministry of Science and Technology. Its main responsibilities are to undertake, support and promote the development of electronics and computer technologies through research and development activities. NECTEC also provides linkage between research communities and industries through the established industrial clusters. In 2008, NECTEC initiated program-based researches (2008-2010), which include three (3) flagships: “Digitized Thailand”, “Smart Health” and “Smart Farm”. These projects aim to drive NECTEC's research works into applications in relevant real sector of Thai economy. The flagship strategy will set and ensure the direction to ICT application to address the country’s problems. Go to the NSTDA’s official website: http://www.nstda.or.th/eng/. Go to the NECTEC’s official website: http://www.nectec.or.th/en/. Learn more about ADB's partnership with Thailand here. Thailand ICT Indicators THAILAND





Access 2000 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011



Internet subscribers (per 100 people)b 0.95 n.d.a. 1.94 2.66 3.39 n.d.a. -






33 NITC. 2003. Information Technology Policy Framework 2001-2010: Thailand Vision Towards a Knowledge-Based Economy. http://www.nstda.or.th/prs/index.php/all-download/doc_download/19-it-framwork-2001-2010.

http://www.nectec.or.th/pld/documents_pris/IT2010eng.pdf�

http://www.nstda.or.th/eng/�

http://www.nectec.or.th/en/�

http://www.adb.org/Documents/Fact_Sheets/THA.pdf�

http://www.nstda.or.th/prs/index.php/all-download/doc_download/19-it-framwork-2001-2010�

TIMOR-LESTE ICT Development in TIMOR-LESTE In the aftermath of the referendum in August 1999, which decided the independence of Timor-Leste, all ICT services in the capital of Dili and other districts were destroyed. In 2002, the newly established government of Timor-Leste adopted its first National Development Plan, East Timor 2020 — Our Nation, Our Future. For telecommunications, the government’s vision is to have “good communication facilities throughout the country, with access to postal services, telephone, Internet, radio and television” (Government of Timor-Leste, 2002).34

In 2007, President Jose Ramos Horta appointed a new government, which developed programs under Prime Minister Jose Alexander Gusmao (popularly known as Xanana Gusmao). These programs were approved by the National Parliament in October 2007. In the programs, the telecommunications sector is included under “Infrastructure and Enhancing the Quality of Life.”

A national network telecommunication was inaugurated in November 2003. ARCOM (Autoridade Reguladora das Comunicaçóes), a regulatory body under the authority of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Public Works (MTCOP), is responsible for all telecommunication activities, including frequencies management, tariff control, telecommunication policy, licensing, and quality of service. Go to the Timor-Leste’s governmental web portal: http://timor-leste.gov.tl/?lang=en. Learn more about ADB's partnership with Timor-Leste here. Timor-Leste ICT Indicators

TIMOR-LESTE


Population (millions) 0.78 1 1.08 - 1.07 1.09



Access 2000 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Fixed telephone subscribers (per 100 people)b n.d.a. 0.23 0.23 0.24 0.26 0.26 0.26

Mobile cellular subscribers (per 100 people)b n.d.a. 3.27 7.37 11.58 31.90 53.42 53.23

Internet subscribers (per 100 people)b n.d.a. 0.06 0.07 0.06 0.10 n.d.a. -

Internet users (per 100 people)b n.d.a. 0.10 0.14 0.16 0.19 0.2 0.90





34 da Silva, A. P. (2009). Timor-Leste. In S. Akhtar, M. Abu Hassan, P. Arinto (Eds.), Digital Review of Asia Pacific 2009-2010. Ottawa, Canada: IDRC.

http://timor-leste.gov.tl/?lang=en�

http://www.adb.org/Documents/Fact_Sheets/TIM.pdf�

TONGA ICT Development in Tonga Recognizing the important role of ICT as a key enabler for national development, the Tongan government created a National ICT Policy in 2008 geared towards a global networked economy. This provides the framework for using ICT as a tool to improve the quality of life through increasing innovation, assisting in culture and values preservation, and creating a knowledge-based Tongan society. The Ministry of Information and Communications is the main government body responsible for ICT development in Tonga.35

One of Tonga’s initial e-Government projects is the compilation of a national database for its elections office. In 2010, Tonga, together with other countries in the Pacific region, held the Pacific Islands Forum where the participants agreed to create an improved framework with new guidelines for ICT development. The member countries all agreed to prioritize the enhancement of the following components: infrastructure and human resource development; improvement of access and content; and policy and legislation. Go to MICT’s official website: http://www.mic.gov.to/. Learn more about ADB's partnership with Tonga here. Access documents and other information related to Tonga here. TONGA ICT Indicators TONGA


Population (millions) 0.10 - 0.10 - 0.10 0.10

GDP growth rate (% change per year) 1.7 1.4 2.6 (0.1) 0.3 (0.3)


Access 2000 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011









35 See Tonga Government Portal, http://www.pmo.gov.to/communications/policy-a-regulations.

http://www.pmo.gov.to/images/stories/00nict.pdf�

http://www.mic.gov.to/�

http://www.mic.gov.to/�

http://www.adb.org/Documents/Fact_Sheets/TON.pdf�

http://www.adb.org/Tonga/main.asp�

http://www.pmo.gov.to/communications/policy-a-regulations�

TURKMENISTAN ICT Development in Turkmenistan In 2004, efforts were made to formulate a national strategy on ICT, spearheaded by the Supreme Council on Science and Technology under the President of Turkmenistan. Although ICT, particularly the internet, is included in several national programs in Turkmenistan, such as education,36 agriculture, and rural development,37

no national ICT and e-government strategy has been issued, to date.

The United Nations plays a key role in helping expand ICT access for development in Turkmenistan through its project called, InfoTuk.38 In 2008, Turkmenistan was included for the first time in the UN e-Government Survey, after developing a national website, and was ranked 128 out of 189 countries.39

Go to the Turkmenistan government web portal: http://turkmenistan.gov.tm/_eng/. Learn more about ADB's partnership with Turkmenistan here. Access documents and other information related to Turkmenistan here. Turkmenistan ICT Indicators TURKMENISTAN



GDP growth rate (% change per year) 4 11.6 14.7 6.1 9.2 9.9


Access 2000 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011



Internet subscribers (per 100 people)b n.d.a. n.d.a. n.d.a. n.d.a. n.d.a. n.d.a. n.d.a.






36 See Academy of Sciences, Turkmenistan. Available: http://science.gov.tm/en/projects/TACIS/iptme/. 37 See Central Asia and the Caucasus Regional Agricultural Information System (CACAARI). National Status Report: Turkmenistan. Available: http://www.cacaari.org/filesarchive/turkmenistan_csr.pdf. 38 Since 2001, the UNDP Country Office in Turkmenistan has been implementing the Information Sharing for Sustainable Human Development project (InfoTuk). The project plays a key role in strengthening local and national capacities in the use of information and communication technologies, particularly the Internet, as a means of increasing information sharing and dissemination in Turkmenistan. See How to Build Open Information Societies: A Collection of Best Practices and Know-How: Turkmenistan. Available: http://www.educationdev.net/educationdev/Docs/tooo.PDF. 39 See UN. 2008. E-Government Survey: From E-Government to Connected Governance. Available: http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/UN/UNPAN028607.pdf.

http://www.undptkm.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=376�

http://turkmenistan.gov.tm/_eng/�

http://www.adb.org/Documents/Fact_Sheets/TKM.pdf�

http://www.adb.org/Turkmenistan/default.asp�

http://science.gov.tm/en/projects/TACIS/iptme/�

http://www.cacaari.org/filesarchive/turkmenistan_csr.pdf�

http://www.educationdev.net/educationdev/Docs/tooo.PDF�

http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/UN/UNPAN028607.pdf�

TUVALU ICT Development in Tuvalu Tuvalu is a very small country with an economic base that is extremely narrow and incorporates hardly any, or no, value-adding exports. The country’s population of 10,500 people is Polynesian, and largely bilingual (Tuvaluan and English). Due to its small population and remoteness, Tuvalu lacks economies of scale and suffers from high costs of doing business, which constrain development. Government revenue is highly dependent on income from its trust funds, remittances, the “dot tv” Internet domain name, and fishing licenses—all of which are volatile in nature.40

As of 2004, the Tuvalu National ICT Policy, Information and Communication Technologies for every Tuvaluan Citizen, was still in draft form.41 The country’s policy vision follows the guiding principles outlined in the Pacific Islands Information and Communication Technologies Policy and Strategic Plan—a regional ICT strategy signed by the Communication Ministers of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat member countries. These principles include, among others, (i) using ICT to inform and connect Tuvalu citizens; (ii) build appropriate ICT infrastructure to support development; (iii) facilitate easy access to information through ICT to ensure good governance, develop the private sector, and improve service delivery; and (iv) adopt ICT policies and regulations that are appropriate to the people and culture of Tuvalu.42

Go to the Tuvalu government web portal: http://www.gov.tv/. Learn more about ADB's partnership with Tuvalu here. Access documents and other information related to Tuvalu here. Tuvalu ICT Indicators

TUVALU



GDP growth rate (% change per year) - 5.5 7.6 (1.7) (0.5) 1.0


Access 2000 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011



Internet subscribers (per 100 people)b 1.27 5.36 8.20 n.d.a. n.d.a. n.d.a. -

Internet users (per 100 people)b 5.24 n.d.a. 10.0a 15.0a 20.0a 25.0a 30.0a





40 ADB. 2008. Country Partnership Strategy: Tuvalu. Available: http://www2.adb.org/Documents/CPSs/TUV/2008/CPS-TUV-2008-2012.pdf?q=country-paper-tuvalu. Also UN. 2002. Tuvalu: United Nations Development Assistance Framework. Available: http://web.undp.org/execbrd/word/UNDAF-Tuvalu.doc. 41 See UNESCO Bangkok Tuvalu Country Overview. Available: http://www.unescobkk.org/education/ict/themes/policy/regional-country-overviews/tuvalu/. 42 Vaa, R. (undated). Tuvalu: ICT Use in Education. UNESCO Meta-survey on the Use of Technologies in Education. UNESCO, Bangkok. http://www.unescobkk.org/fileadmin/user_upload/ict/Metasurvey/TUVALU.PDF.

http://www.forumsec.org.fj/resources/uploads/attachments/documents/Pacific%20Islands%20ICT%20Policy%20and%20Strategic%20Plan%20%28PIIPP%29%202002.pdf�

http://www.forumsec.org.fj/resources/uploads/attachments/documents/Pacific%20Islands%20ICT%20Policy%20and%20Strategic%20Plan%20%28PIIPP%29%202002.pdf�

http://www.forumsec.org.fj/pages.cfm/about-us/member-countries/�

http://www.gov.tv/�

http://www.adb.org/Documents/Fact_Sheets/TUV.pdf�

http://www.adb.org/TUV/default.asp�

http://www2.adb.org/Documents/CPSs/TUV/2008/CPS-TUV-2008-2012.pdf?q=country-paper-tuvalu�

http://www2.adb.org/Documents/CPSs/TUV/2008/CPS-TUV-2008-2012.pdf?q=country-paper-tuvalu�

http://web.undp.org/execbrd/word/UNDAF-Tuvalu.doc�

http://www.unescobkk.org/education/ict/themes/policy/regional-country-overviews/tuvalu/�

http://www.unescobkk.org/education/ict/themes/policy/regional-country-overviews/tuvalu/�

UZBEKISTAN ICT Development in Uzbekistan Under President Islam Karimov, large-scale reforms in ICT were initiated. In May 2002, the Decree of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On further development of computerization and introduction of information-communication technologies” was issued. Measures determined by the decree provided the basis for the creation of national info-communication systems and conditions for mass introduction of computer and information technologies to the economy and society, in general.43 To support the decree, the Cabinet of Ministries adopted a resolution and approved the “Program for development of computerization and information-communication technologies for the period 2002-2010.”44

Uzbekistan has adopted laws relevant to electronic digital signature, electronic document flow, electronic commerce, as well as the relevant regulatory framework.45 A general policy on ICT development, however, has yet to be developed.46

The Communication and Information Agency of Uzbekistan (ACI) is the coordinating administrative body authorized to address problems and carry out the state policy in the sphere of communication, information and using the radio-frequency spectrum. It is responsible for “the further development of computerization and information-communication technologies implementation.” Go to the ACI’s website: http://www.aci.uz/en/. Learn more about ADB's partnership with Uzbekistan here. Access documents and other information related to Uzbekistan here. Uzbekistan ICT Indicators

UZBEKISTAN





Access 2000 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011



Internet subscribers (per 100 people)b 0.02 n.d.a. 7.60 9.21 10.09 n.d.a.






43 Republic of Uzbekistan. 2002, June 28. General Statement. World Summit on the Information Society. Available: http://www.itu.int/wsis/docs/pc1/statements_general/uzbekistan.doc. 44 See Communications and Information Agency of Uzbekistan. http://www.aci.uz/en/Normative_base/Main_documents/. 45 See ICT Policy. Information Security. Review of ICTs Development in Uzbekistan for 2006-2008 (Chapter 9). Available: http://www.ictp.uz/downloads/publications/ar_2008_en/chapter-9.pdf. The ICT Policy Project, a joint initiative by UNDP and ACI, aims to (1) develop ICTs as a sector and (2) facilitate usage of ICT by Government to achieve development goals. 46 See Global Information Society Watch at http://www.giswatch.org/gisw2008/country/pdf/Uzbekistan.pdf.

http://www.aci.uz/en/�

http://www.adb.org/Documents/Fact_Sheets/UZB.pdf�

http://www.adb.org/Uzbekistan/�

http://www.itu.int/wsis/docs/pc1/statements_general/uzbekistan.doc�

http://www.aci.uz/en/Normative_base/Main_documents/�

http://www.ictp.uz/downloads/publications/ar_2008_en/chapter-9.pdf�

http://ictp.uz/�

http://www.giswatch.org/gisw2008/country/pdf/Uzbekistan.pdf�

VANUATU ICT Development in Vanuatu Vanuatu is a small country with a population of 240,000 people, most of whom live in the rural areas where infrastructure is often poor which, combined with the country’s geographic isolation, contributes to a lack of job creation and poverty. Concomitant to this are problems of limited network availability and use, poor human resource ICT skills, and weak institutional capacity in ICT. Up until March 2002, there was no clear national ICT policy, but there was legislation covering access rights, as well as copyright and ICT misuse. There was no centralized budget for ICT and the implementation of some form of e-government has yet to be seen.47

Go to the Vanuatu government web portal: http://www.vanuatugovernment.gov.vu/. Learn more about ADB's partnership with Vanuatu here. Access documents and other information related to Vanuatu here. Vanuatu ICT Indicators VANUATU





Access 2000 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Fixed telephone subscribers (per 100 people)b 3.59 3.30 3.97 4.56 3.09 2.09 n.d.a.

Mobile cellular subscribers (per 100 people)b 0.20 6.01 11.69 15.79 54.09 119.05 n.d.a.

Internet subscribers (per 100 people)b 0.76 0.76 n.d.a. n.d.a. 1.11 n.d.a. -

Internet users (per 100 people)b 2.11 5.08 7.46 7.27 7.09 8.0a n.d.a.





47 Vaa, R. (n.d.). ICT Use in Education: Vanuatu (pp. 229-232). In UNESCO Meta-survey on the Use of Technologies in Education. Available: http://www.unescobkk.org/fileadmin/user_upload/ict/Metasurvey/VANUATU.PDF.

http://www.vanuatugovernment.gov.vu/�

http://www.adb.org/Documents/Fact_Sheets/VAN.pdf�

http://www.adb.org/VAN/default.asp�

http://www.unescobkk.org/fileadmin/user_upload/ict/Metasurvey/VANUATU.PDF�

VIET NAM ICT Development in Viet Nam Pursuant to Viet Nam’s socio-economic master plans, the government approved in 2007 a plan for ICT development called, “Planning on Development of Information and Communication Technology in the Central Key Economic Region Up to 2010, and Orientations Towards 2020” (from here on referred to as the “ICT Plan”). The main objectives of the plan are to develop telecommunications and ICT:

(1) to support “national industrialization and modernization,” focusing on key economic regions in Central Viet Nam and the Central Highlands;

(2) as an important economic, technical and service sector of infrastructure; (3) as a spearhead industry; and (4) to be applied in economic, social, cultural, security and defence domains, prioritizing the development of

e-government and e-commerce. The government also issued specific policies governing the IT industry, IT applications, the internet, and ICT in sectors such as education.48

The Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) is the policymaking and regulatory body in the fields of press, publishing; posts; telecommunications and Internet; transmission; radio frequency; information technology, electronics; broadcasting and national information infrastructure; management of related public services on behalf of the government. Go to the Viet Nam MIC’s official website: http://english.mic.gov.vn/Trang/default.aspx. Learn more about ADB's partnership with Viet Nam here. Access documents and other information related to Viet Nam here. Viet Nam ICT Indicators VIET NAM


Population (millions) 78 85.1 86.25 - 86.93 87.84



Access 2000 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Fixed telephone subscribers (per 100 people)b 3.23 - 13.13 17.18 20.05 16.36 11.46








48 See policies and legal documents from the Ministry of Information and Communications website, http://english.mic.gov.vn/vbqppl/Lists/Vn%20bn%20QPPL/AllItems.aspx.

http://english.mic.gov.vn/Trang/default.aspx�

http://www.adb.org/Documents/Fact_Sheets/VIE.pdf�

http://www.adb.org/vietnam/�

http://english.mic.gov.vn/vbqppl/Lists/Vn%20bn%20QPPL/AllItems.aspx�

References for Economic Profile, ICT Data, Index Rankings and Scores Notes: • Networked readiness is an international assessment of countries’ capacity to exploit the opportunities offered

by ICTs by looking at the extent of increase in the use of ICT in a specific country and the factors that enable this (World Economic Forum);

• E-government readiness is a systemic assessment of how governments use ICT to provide access and inclusion for all (United Nations);

• n.d.a. = no data available for a country in a particular year Sources: a World Bank Indicators b ITU ICT Data and Statistics c The Networked Readiness Index rankings from the Global Information Technology Report (GITR)

• 2012 • 2009-2010

d United Nations E-Government Development Database

http://www.weforum.org/en/initiatives/gcp/Global%20Information%20Technology%20Report/index.htm�

http://www2.unpan.org/egovkb/global_reports/index.htm�

http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/�

http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/statistics/�

http://www3.weforum.org/docs/GITR/2012/GITR_OverallRankings_2012.pdf�

http://www.ifap.ru/library/book466.pdf�

http://unpan3.un.org/egovkb/datacenter/countryview.aspx�