OPPURNITIES

3. Opportunities:

The following are IT opportunities in Nepal.

3.1 Global shortage of IT manpower.

3.2 Employment shortage of IT manpower.

3.3 Manpower available at cheaper rates.

3.4 Geo Politically suitable industry for exports.

3.5 If properly utilized it could induce reverse brain drain.

3.6 Domestic market.

3.7 Outsourcing.

3.8 Attracting international business transactions.

3.9 Access to the Internet to deliver information and service via the internet.

3.10 Could be able to develop data communication infrastructure using the latest technology.

3.11 Virtual Private Network of the Government to deliver the product to different ministries.

3.12 Space segment available.

3.13 Ministry of Science and Technology to be the focal point in the execution and policy implementation for E-Governance and computerization of the government.

4. Constrains (Obstacles):

There are various obstacles to the promotion and implementation of IT in the Government. Some of the major problems faced in the implementation of IT to increase the efficiency in the government are as follows.

4.1. Infrastructure:

Although infrastructure specially, telecommunication power has been improving lately but it is not yet adequate in most parts of the country. It is only available in headquarter of the districts. It is PSTN line and main focus is given to the voice communication infrastructure. But here is not yet develop Data Communication parallel with equal importance. Even here is not concept of T1 and E1 line. Recently NTC (Nepal Telecommunication Center) is providing ISDN service. But existing telephone line also does not have sufficient bandwidth. Recently the government is processing for implementing fiber-optic connection in East-West Highway. Still government does not have the concept of backup connection, which is the most important part of network.

4.2. IT literacy:

In aggregate here is low level of IT literacy. Very few people who are working in government are known with IT and it?s importance. So there is an urgent need for widespread IT training for the employees on government in all over the country. Yes, recently there are lot IT institutes and collages are opening but they are also providing theoretical knowledge of IT. All should be aware with the practical benefits of the ICT.

4.3. Lack of Coordination:

Lack of coordination between G2G departments are generating the problem. Here is not coordination and integration among the IT professionals from the government, industry and private sector. It is essential because IT utilization and acquisition particularly in developing country like ours needs to interplay among all the stakeholders.

4.4. Training:

The curriculum of the various training Institutes should be designed to meet the human resource requirements for the conditions in the market and the Government as well. Or the government should have its own Training Institution catering the IT training needs of the government. Specially IT training institutes should lunch professional training courses and those should be practical oriented too.

4.5. IT policy:

Although government has declared IT policy in 2000. But it is not implemented so well. Policy should be appropriate and ensure that the policy addresses the IT problems from the grass root level.

4.6. IT Funds:

To provide effective and efficient service delivery we must use well infrastructure. To build well infrastructure we must invest sufficient fund. Providing ISDN, fiber-optic, T1, E1 service need lot investment. Building server warehouse, keeping power backup by UPS and dedicated lines as well as backup line to increase connection speeds to allow the users to send both voice and data transmissions is really challenging for fund generating.

4.7. Political Situation:

political situation should be stable for development of e-governance. Changing government day by day is not good symptoms for IT development in country. Also the terrorist attack on the NTC infrastructure is become thee main obstacle of this country. Government should give fully security to all it?s infrastructure.