THE government of South Korea has expressed its commitment to support President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s initiatives of constructing a state-of-the-art Information Communications Technology (ICT) college to spur economic growth.
This was said by the Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa who is on a working visit to the Republic of Korea, saying the government of Asian developed nation is in support of the project that seeks to upgrade skills of Tanzanian youths in ICT development.
Upon completion, the college will enable Tanzania youths to engage in creative activities through the ICT sector.
President Samia’s plans of empowering youths through the ICT sector have received a backing from the Republic of Korea’s government that will support the initiative,” said Majaliwa after completing his talks with his Korean counterpart Han Duck-Soo in Seoul city.
The plans of constructing the ICT College were announced by President Samia in October last year in Chato, Geita region, during the commemoration of the 22nd anniversary of the death of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere.
She said that following the ICT development around the world, Tanzania has decided to invest heavily in construction of infrastructure, particularly in the National Fibre Optic Cable network in order to move communication services closer to the people.
“The government has also scrapped VAT on smartphones, tablets and modems to enable youth to use ICT to employ themselves for their development,” President Samia said.
She said that the construction of the ICT College will help to identify and register all youths engaging in ICT.
“During my meeting with the youth in Mwanza, I told them to unite and cooperate as the government is aware of the innovative ideas and works conceived and carried out by most youth entrepreneurs in startups and take-ups… the government will look into possibilities to further empower them so that you can grow and become international innovators,” she promised.
President Samia noted that the ICT College will be a leading institution in East and Southern Africa.
She, however, cautioned that despite the benefits of ICT, when misused, can cause problems in the society, such us misunderstandings, chaos, wars as well as evil acts such as cybercrime, terrorism and money laundering, with most youths being the victims, calling on youths to use ICT for their development and not otherwise.
In another development, Mr Majaliwa met with the management team of the Mirae Chemical Company that is constructing a cashewnut peeling and processing factory.
The factory is introducing a new technology that wasn’t in the county before.
“This is a great opportunity for Tanzanian cashew nut growers as they have been asking for it for a long time; we had a fruitful meeting with them on the matter. The plant will be built in Mkuranga District, Coast region,” said the Prime Minister.
According to him, the plant will also play a role in adding value to the cashew-nut peels, adding value to the cashew produces.
