Story by Owen Mandovha, Business Reporter
THE government has vowed to spearhead economic growth through fostering e-governance and strengthening the country’s telecommunications industry.
Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister, Honourable Tatenda Mavetera had an opportunity to spell out her vision when she met the board of directors of the three parastatals which fall under her portfolio namely the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), Zimpost and Zarnet.
The meeting held in Harare this Tuesday saw Honourable Mavetera promising to enhance the country’s e-governance framework while also creating an efficient working environment for telecommunications companies.
“My new task is to ensure that ICT becomes an economic enabler driving all Government departments by facilitating the ease of doing business. This I intend to do by creating an efficient e-governance framework but also at the same time working towards an enabling environment in the telecommunications industry where companies thrive and improve service delivery,” said Honourable Mavetera.
Meanwhile, POTRAZ Director General Mr. Gift Machengete says they welcome satellite-based global internet service provider, Starlink to operate in the country although it is yet to meet all mandatory requirements for approval.
“There is no way we can limit satellite-based internet services and Starlink is one such type of an internet service provider. The company is in the process of making all the regulatory applications to operate in the country and this is being done by their lawyers whom we have dealt with. The country is open for business, and we welcome them to operate in the country,” he said.
POTRAZ also presented Honourable Minister Mavetera with a host of challenges affecting the telecommunications industry, chief among them uncompetitive tariffs and foreign currency shortages to invest in infrastructure.
