MCIT Celebrates World Telecommunication & Information Society Day 2016
The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) celebrated the World Telecommunication and Information Society day on Tuesday May 17, 2016 in Kabul to mark the 151 anniversary of the establishment of the ITU. The event was attended by Deputy Chief Executive Ustad Muhaqique, high level state personalities, members of the Parliament, CEOs of private Telecommunication companies, leadership of chamber of commerce and mass Media. World Telecommunication Day has been celebrated annually since 1969, marking the founding of ITU and the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention in 1865.
This year World Telecommunication and Information Society Day will focus on the theme: “ICT entrepreneurship for social impact. “ The theme for 2016 is in line with the work of the ITU in unlocking the potential of ICTs for young innovators and entrepreneurs.
At the beginning of the conference, the Deputy Executive, Mohammed Muhaqique who was speaking at ceremony referred to economic importance of the telecommunication and information technologies and said: “Communication and Information technology is one of the key economic and communications sectors of the country. He added: “paying more attention and allocating more funds to this sector by private sector and the government could create job opportunities for our younger generations who will not be forced to leave Afghanistan. Ustad Muhaqique continued: “The role of ICT, among other sectors is, such as the role of blood vessels in the body.”
He further elaborated on the challenges ahead Telecom and ICT sector and said that as per his understanding, insecurity has been one of the major challenges, and he promised to raise the issue at the leadership level of NUG and work closely with other leaders to address the challenges. He also called on MCIT leadership to work more united and coordinated in order to absorb more investments for development and expansion of the sector.
Ahmad Zia Masood, Special Representative for reforms and good governance congratulated the Day by his message sent on this occasion and expressed his satisfaction with the rapid development of ICT in country. In his message he noted that connecting the people, Afghanistan’s telecommunication infrastructure has a valuable position as a land bridge.
The MCIT’s Technical Deputy Minister Eng. Barayalai Hasaam also congratulated the World Telecommunication and IT day and spoke regarding various aspects of the ICT growth and development in Afghanistan. He said stated that “In the aftermath of development of telecommunication and information technology world has been turned to a small village and therefore, no one can ignore the importance of technology and telecomm in today’s modern world.” Speaking at the world telecommunication and information society Day celebration Eng. Hsaam added that: “by designing laws and investment protection policies MCIT is now ready to achieve significant achievements in this area. He further emphasized, it today’s digitalized world, ICT can function as a driving force for realizing cultural, political and socio-economic development.”
Ms. Gulalai Akbari head of the Communications and Information Commission to the Upper House of the National Council also appreciated achievements of the MCIT saying that the development of information technology is essential means for strengthening our country, fighting against corruption and delivering quality and effective services for citizens.
Chairman of Afghan Telecom Gull Ahmad Rastman and representative of AWCC Eng. Mohammad Hashim Paiman were the other speakers of ceremony. They illustrated their achievements, progress and challenges and ways forward for further development of Telecom and Data services throughout the country.
