Smart Dialogue opens today, ICT central topic

[BabuK]

Chief Secretary, Ambassador Ombeni Sefue


Tanzanians are expected to gain tremendously from the exchange of ideas particularly on the use of technology to boost development and to occasion economic reform thanks to the International Smart Partnership Dialogue (ISPD) scheduled to commence today.

Speaking to journalist yesterday in Dar es Salaam Chief Secretary Ambassador Ombeni Sefue said participants of the dialogue will get an opportunity to share experience on how to strengthen the development priority sectors, energy, and water, agriculture, central transport corridor including railway and roads, and education.

“We expect the coming of the many heads of states to participate in the SPD tomorrow will be highly beneficial and it is also the result and evidence of good governance that has brought about good relations between Tanzania and other countries…,” he said.

CS Sefue called upon Wananchi to show be good hosts to the visiting delegates noting that S countries whose leaders have confirmed attendance include Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Benin, Togo, Lesotho, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Comoro and Malaysia. In fact some of the delegates are already in the country like King Mswati II of Swaziland and President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa who arrived yesterday.

Noting that Malaysia is living proof that, ‘abject poverty is not a curse to live with till doomsday’ president Kikwete in his welcome note to the participants urges “…lets work hard and close the Information Technology gap. Africa should be part of the ICT highway and leverage it for development…” the president said and summed up with the following.

“Our mission, to empower citizens through the provision of grants, facilitating linkages and enabling a culture of ongoing learning to civil society."