National Outlook to develop the ICT industry

1
National Outlook to develop the ICT industry

• When we think development of the ICT in a country
• - We think about software development, export of
  solutions, services products
• - We think about skills, brain drain, education..
• - It comes to our minds Ireland, Cost Rica,
  Israel, Bangalore
• - It comes also into our minds numbers of
  citizens..
• - Finally, but prior to all, we think about the
  government, and its involvement to boost this
  sector.

2
National Outlook to develop the ICT industry

• What comes less into our minds is
• The private sector efforts and self developed
  initiatives

3
National Outlook to develop the ICT industry

• What role can play the government?
• What are the expectations from the Lebanese
  administration?
• Is the success of the sector depending on its
  initiatives? Would they be held responsible for
  the stagnation or the development of the sector?

4
National Outlook to develop the ICT industry

• What did the private sector provide? How is it
  managing its self-development?
• Private initiatives
• Associative work
• Networking
• Assisting in export
• Education and capacity building
• Contributing in the promoting the country abroad.
  Branding Lebanon as a Technology hub, Building a
  positive image of the sector in the Region.
• Bridging local companies with new investors
  through organized trips, meetings with Diaspora,
  round tables one to one meetings
• Identifying flexile sources of private financing.
• Driving the major players to coordinate and take
  actions Public , Educational and private
  sectors, NGO

5
National Outlook to develop the ICT industry

• In other terms, the self initiative of the
  private sector has always been essential in
  Lebanon, hence, compensating the contribution
  that governments in other countries bring to the
  market.

6
National Outlook to develop the ICT industry

• None the less, among the many initiatives
  expected out of our government, few of them are
  indispensable and exclusively achievable by it
• Enforcement of the copy right law
• Regulation of the telecom, privatization of the
  sector, open competition, driving the prices as
  low as possible.
• Granting financial facilities to the development
  of the market, with low interest rates (kafalat)
• Supplying their own needs from local sources and
  not from foreign supplier. Believing in
  supporting the local capabilities.
• Moral support marketing Lebanon at the nation
  wide level, door opener (facilitator!)
• These are very easy achievements, taking into
  consideration the hurdles the public sector is
  getting through.

7
National Outlook to develop the ICT industry

• Lately, two important initiatives were adopted by
  our governments, on which there are several
  question marks
• E-strategy
• BETZ

8
National Outlook to develop the ICT industry

• The industry requires
• Low cost of rent
• Consulting in management, marketing and financial
  advises
• Close decent accommodation
• Partnering with other complementary operations
  (proximity-networking) (private)
• Social regulations and employment laws adapted to
  the 21st century (G.)
• Technology transfer (private)
• Marketing support for promoting the products
  (Private) Locally and in Foreign markets
• Financial support / foreign investors. (Private
  G)