US-ASEAN drafts ICT master plan

CEBU, Philippines - The US-ASEAN Business Council, together with the Philippines’ Department of Science and Technology-Information Communication Technology Office (DOST-ICTO) and the Business Software Alliance, are formulating an ASEAN ICT Master Plan to work towards the goal of an inclusive, vibrant and integrated ASEAN.

“ASEAN’s ability to leverage ICT for development will be a key part of its future economic success,” said Anjan Ghosh, Asia-Pacific Director of Corporate Affairs at Intel and Chair of the Council's ICT Working Group.

“ASEAN also has the potential to set itself apart from other players in the region if it creates the right environment, in terms of broadband Internet access and a well-educated workforce, needed to spur ICT-led innovation and growth," he added

He said infrastructure is a key theme in ASEAN, and increasingly that means infrastructure to support broadband access and digital innovation.

“U.S. comapnies are looking for ways they can support ASEAN in creating an environemnt supportive of increased use of ICT for economic development and more inclusive growth as envisioned by the ASEAN ICT Master Plan,” said Alexander Feldman.

For his part, DOST secretary Mario Montejo acknowledged ICT’s role in the development of the entire ASEAN Region.

” There’s still a lot of catching up to do in the region with regard to ICT development. Definitely, it offers plenty of room for cooperation between the private and public sectors to create the environment conducive for steady and inclusive ICT growth that will be the bedrock of vibrant ASEAN economies,” Montejo said.

During the recently concluded two-day workshop, discussions were mostly focused on utilizing ICT to encourage economic and community development, and creating the infrastructure necessary to support innovation.

Also, developing the human capital to create the capacity to continue to build the ICT environment in ASEAN, and finding ways to bridge the digital divide across ASEAN and ensure more people have access to modern technology.  (FREEMAN)