Libya to modernise ICT sector

Heading the Libyan delegation, Deputy Minister for Communications and Informatics Mr Mohamad Benrasali, according to a statement from ITU,  asked for the organisation’s support in preparing a master plan to modernize ICT infrastructure in Libya to “not only world class level, but to world-leading standards.” He said, “The Libyan ICT sector poses several opportunities as […]

Heading the Libyan delegation, Deputy Minister for Communications and Informatics Mr Mohamad Benrasali, according to a statement from ITU,  asked for the organisation’s support in preparing a master plan to modernize ICT infrastructure in Libya to “not only world class level, but to world-leading standards.”
He said, “The Libyan ICT sector poses several opportunities as well as challenges that can potentially result in significant economic growth, job creation, and transformation of government services, among other possible impacts.”
Mr Benrasali said the master plan would focus on establishing a regulatory framework that would encourage investment in developing the ICT sector and re-building infrastructure and affirmed that capacity building would be an integral part of the plan.
Mr Benrasali noted that the Libyan government is focusing on e-government as a powerful tool for public service delivery and that the government’s ‘e-Libya initiative’ is aimed at revitalizing the administration. “The e-Libya initiative is based on smart applications and has a number of strategic objectives that aim to build a knowledge-based economy through ICT,” Mr Benrasali said. E-Libya initiatives include open government, e-government, e-commerce and e-education.
“I am delighted to see Libya coming back on the world stage, and seeing the enthusiasm of its new leaders who have an impressive depth of knowledge of ICTs, I am confident the country will quickly emerge as a leading player in the ICT sector and bridge the digital divide in the country,” said ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun I. Touré.
“Establishing a regulatory framework will spur growth in ICT development in Libya and ITU will take immediate measures to share best practices and to ensure that steps are taken in the right direction.”