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Increased use of ICT can boost economy: Chamisa

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Information Communication Technology (ICT) Parliamentary Portfolio Committee chairperson Nelson Chamisa has proposed a raft of strategies to transform the economy through domestic resource mobilisation and utilisation.

Information Communication Technology (ICT) Parliamentary Portfolio Committee chairperson Nelson Chamisa has proposed a raft of strategies to transform the economy through domestic resource mobilisation and utilisation.

BY OBEY MANAYITI

In his submissions at the pre-budget seminar, Chamisa said ICTs play a pivotal role in socio-economic development the world over.

According to Chamisa, a 10% increase in mobile phone usage will increase gross domestic product (GDP) by 1% and a 10% increase in broadband penetration increases GDP by 3%.

“Our country cannot just imagine the idea of being in business today using outmoded methods and practices,” Chamisa said.

“Yesterday’s men cannot superintend today’s concerns. More importantly, ICTs will help society change attitudes, expand horizons and redefine contours of engagement and perception for the benefit of every citizen.”

Among the strategies, Chamisa said there was need for a converged regulator, the National Information Communications Technology Authority (NICTA) as opposed to the current untenable situation whereby there are many bodies such as Transmedia, Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe, Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe, among others.

He said Treasury must introduce a threshold on which Intermediated Mobile Money Transfer Tax (IMMT) will apply to promote mobile money transfer transactions in the informal sector where transaction values of $10 or less should not be taxed to increase the volumes of transactions and aid financial inclusion.

Chamisa said government must negotiate group licences especially from Microsoft and SAP.

“It is a fact that genuine software licences are not cheap. In the long run there is need to develop local ERPs and software solutions customises for the Zimbabwean market,” he said.

Chamisa said the ICT ministry should be responsible for ICT departments in all ministries so that there won’t be duplication of duties in government ministries.

The MDC-T vice-president said the government must seriously consider having its products and services online.

“We need government reports, laws, public information Jobs ITTs, download forms, business registration, licensing and permits, connectivity of government offices, tertiary education placements applications, government information data sharing government internet services visa processing work permits application, e-payments and e- procurement,” he said.

Chamisa said there was need to legislate and incentivise the use of plastic money.

He said the country should use less cash in transacting.

“Why do we even need cash? We must not be seeing a crisis where there is none. Cash shortage is not the problem, but a shortage of ideas and smart thinking. All people need is a credible exchange of value and store of value upon a double coincidence of want. Cash is simply a conveyance of convenience.

“However, transacting convenience could be dispensed on such platforms as Zimswitch. We must make efforts to take all people online as opposed to letting them be in the line at banks, queuing up for the absent and scarce cash,” he said.