The Hindu Business Line : ADB working towards expanding ICT use

The information communication technology (ICT) sector is playing a pivotal role in creating technology hubs and forming a digital bridge among nations, according to experts at the Asian Development Bank meet here.

The ADB, along with its member countries, is working towards creating a network that can use ICT across multiple sectors.

The Vice-President, Knowledge Management and Sustainable Development, ADB, Mr Geert van der Linden, and several other speakers, including the Nasscom President, Mr Kiran Karnik, and representatives from UNDP, SAP, Microsoft and TCS, sought to convey how those who take to faster adoption of ICT would be better placed economically than those who do not.

Speaking at `Knowledge-based economies in the 21st century', Mr Linden said ADB was playing a key role in providing technical assistance to foster regional networks that promote knowledge sharing and the cultivation of expertise in specified scientific and technical fields.

Referring to ADB's initiatives, Mr Linden said it supports 300 regional networks, and one such example is the Academic and Research Network and the equity support provided for the Grameen Telecommunications project in Bangladesh.

Focus on three areas

The ADB has identified three focus areas. These cover knowledge sharing and training, fostering regional networks and investment in ICT.

Mr Karnik said one of the advantages the Internet has brought about is the ability to develop local projects. These can be developed independently without having to interface with others. However, it is a challenge to integrate such good projects with the networks and make it function seamlessly.

Sharing some of the experiences of how Microsoft has partnered with small and medium enterprises, the Regional Vice-President, Enterprise Services, Microsoft, Mr Sanjay Mirchandani, said that conventional modes of development would not work and if one has to leapfrog into new era the only way is to take to new technologies and be innovative.

The UNDP representative, Mr Shoji Nishimoto, said one of the key challenges in bridging the digital divide is taking along people at the grassroots level, where community participation is key. Representatives of civil society are being pursued to be part of the development process.

Ms Rinalia Abdul Rahim, Executive Director, Global Knowledge Partnership, spoke about how a coordinated approach to development can make a difference and ensure faster adoption of technology.

The Director of IDA, SAP, Mr Mathew Holden, brought to the fore how technology has helped transform government interface with citizens.

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