ICT Expo attracts 87 exhibitors

Communication Technologies for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation”.
Addressing a Press conference yesterday, Information and Communication Technology Minister Nelson Chamisa said exhibitors that had confirmed participation were from China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Sadc and the Economic Community of West African States among others.
“The exhibition will attract international investors to see for themselves the various opportunities in the country.
“We are expecting participants from various trading blocs, multilateral institutions, Government officials, ministers and ambassadors,” he said.
Minister Chamisa said the exhibition would also provide a platform to investors to interact with the local ICT companies to explore business linkages.
He said Government has prioritised investment in the ICT sector as a major driver in reviving the fortunes of the economy.
“Out thrust as Government is that it is not possible to achieve the Millennium Development Goals without appreciating the role of the ICT’s,” Minister Chamisa said. He said significant headway had been made since dollarisation in the use of ICTs with mobile penetration standing at 89,9 percent while Internet penetration has been set at a conservative 18,4 percent due to absence of data of those accessing Internet services through cellphones.
The first two days of the exhibition are reserved for business meetings while the third and fourth days will be for the E-Tech Africa conference followed by a career guidance day for schoolchildren.
Meanwhile, Minister Chamisa said Government was working on ensuring that broadband services are accessible at affordable prices to ensure that ordinary Zimbabweans enjoy use of Internet.
“You go to many countries and broadband is treated like a human right. We want to make sure that by 2015 we have broadband for everyone and we looking at how the Universal Access Fund can assist in that regard,” he said.