----

(2004/C 33 E/023)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3806/02

by Karin Junker (PSE) to the Commission

(7 January 2003)

Subject:   Commission and Member State ICT projects in developing countries

Access to global communication, in particular to modern information and communication technology (ICT), can play a crucial role in enhancing sustainable economic and social development in the ACP countries and make an important contribution to the democratic forming of opinions.

Speeding up the introduction of ICT can considerably improve the chances of sustainable development and aid EU development cooperation in fundamental areas such as fighting poverty, health, education, training, the environment and strengthening the private sector.

The Commission and the Council understand the importance of ICT, as emerged from the Commission communication (1) and the Council of Development Ministers' Decision of 30 May 2002 on the Commission communication. In its report, the Commission outlines the current programmes and future activities, albeit in a very general way.

At the Palermo Conference in April, the Italian Government outlined its ICT initiative for developing countries. Italy has made more than USD 100 million available for projects to advance e-government in five developing countries.

What specifically is the Commission doing for developing countries, especially for ACP countries in terms of ICT?

What programmes and activities are there and of what nature?

What are other Member States doing for developing countries with regard to ICT?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(14 March 2003)

The Communication on Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in Development highlights the importance of ICT as an instrument in support of the six Community development priorities. ICTs are a tool not a means in themselves.

In the framework of the 9th European Development Fund (EDF), all the six Regional Indicative Programmes contain references to ICTs. The Commission is now working with the competent regional organisations to put into practice these components as far as possible. Moreover, as a follow up to the Union-African, Caribbean and Pacific States (EU-ACP) Joint Parliamentary Assembly and following a request by the ACP Group, the Commission is preparing a feasibility study for an ACP ICT programme. As a result of this study, an operational programme could be set up and implemented over the 9th EDF implementation period.

In terms of the Community budget, budget line Β7-623 (Capacity building for information and communication technologies and sustainable energy), the Commission is presently finalising a contract with the International Telecommunications Union to support several ICT programmes with a multiplier effect. It will be focused on low-income countries, principally ACPs.

For Asia, the Mediterranean and Latin America, the Commission is implementing the Asia IT & C, Eumedis and @LIS programs respectively. The first two programmes are near completion and a phase II is being considered.

The Commission is also trying to develop operational guidelines on how to mainstream ICT in the six focal sectors.

In parallel, under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Doha Development Agenda, as well as in the negotiations such as ACP-Union Economic Partnership Agreements, the Commission invites developing countries to adopt appropriate regulatory frameworks and to allow private investment (whether local or foreign) in the sectors that are key for the ICT sector: telecommunications, computer related services, financial services, etc. Competition and investment in those sectors, along with financial and technical assistance to help the implementation of appropriate regulation, would promote ICT infrastructure in those countries and the development of e-commerce and e-government.

The Commission and Member States interact on ICT for development in the context of an expert group that has now met four times. The Commission, however, does not possess detailed and complete information about Member States' ICT for development programmes.

----

(1)  COM(2001)770.

----