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Written by Tony Phelps
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Thursday, 17 November 2005 |
As Independence slips behind us and Vanuatu heads into a second
quarter-century as a sovereign state, pause to consider the future from
an IT (Information Technology) perspective.
One of the most liberating benefits of IT is its ability to cross
geographical boundaries and separations in the blink of an eye. India
has built a vast industry of outsourced IT facilities, thanks to global
telecommunications, relatively cheap labour, and the standardisation
brought by the Internet. There is no reason for Vanuatu not to profit
similarly (albeit on a smaller scale).
Technology is being developed to suit difficult environments such as
those we find in Vanuatu. Otherwise-normal computers can run off solar
power, wireless and satellite communications remove the need for
telephone wires, and small, low-cost, hard-wearing computers are being
built for remote community use. India has been pushing forward such
technology, in an attempt to bring in the commercial benefits arising
from larger markets, instant communication, and competition. There are
also the social benefits of being able to keep in touch with distant
relatives.
This is the sort of stuff that Vanuatu’s leaders and policymakers
should keep an eye on. Encouraging the spread of the benefits above
outside the big towns could reduce urban drift, reduce the growing
disparity between rural and town wealth, encourage business development
and economic growth, and increase self reliance. IT is not limited by
the availability of electricity power stations, fast internet or good
roads – it is limited only by imagination and willpower.
Vanuatu has already established itself as an international finance
centre (IFC), thanks to its timezone, laws, political structure and
long-term private sector investment. Similar countries like Mauritius
have set themselves ambitious targets to become the 21st century IT
equivalent to an IFC, with island-wide wireless coverage, fast
internet, and highly computer-literate population. At a time of
mounting concern over joblessness amongst the nation’s school-leavers,
IT presents many opportunities if the right environment can be put in
place to encourage it.
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