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WE UNDERTAKE to continue to sustain efforts:
(i) in creating a favourable regulatory environment and accelerated liberalisation of the telecommunications sector, which aims at creating a three-tier separation of power, with the Government responsible for a conducive national policy framework, independent regulators responsible for licensing, and a multiplicity of providers in a competitive environment responsible for providing services;

(ii) in removing trade barriers and reducing ICT related taxes and tariffs: this will reduce the costs of ICT equipment through decreased taxation of imported equipment, in compliance with the ongoing SADC Trade Protocol and World Trade Organisation processes to enable e-commerce-readiness.

(iii) in removing restrictive license fees and other costly and time- consuming bureaucratic barriers: this will lower the cost of entry to the market, which means removing financial barriers, such as excessive license fees for service providers, and reducing the time taken in license issuance; and

(iv) in developing a regional policy on ICT to assist with the harmonisation of national policies and legislation: this will aim at encouraging the development of national policies and legislation that harnesses the dynamism of ICT to modernise the regional economy and establish consistency in rules across the Region;

(b) Infrastructure for ICT Development
WE SHALL ENDEAVOUR to develop a national information and communication infrastructure, which aims at facilitating efficient communication and information exchange within nations, between Member States, SADC Secretariat and the rest of the world: special consideration should be given to rural and remote areas, under privileged urban areas, institutions of learning, health, women's organisations, community media groups and other key stakeholders;

(c) Community Participation and Governance in ICT Development
WE UNDERTAKE to ensure that information and communication technology does not increase existing disparities between men and women, the rich and poor, rural and urban populations: to enable them to participate in the global information society as equal partners thus contributing to its diversity and making it more reflective of the peoples of the world;

(d) ICT in Business Development
WE SHALL UNDERTAKE to work together to remove barriers of electronic commerce in our SADC countries as a means to opening opportunities and benefits such as increased access to markets, opportunities to create economic value from cultural assets, reduced administrative costs, and improvement of public services. There is a need to adopt and adapt technologies that enable e-commerce capability to avoid increasing exclusion from the global economy; and

(e) Human Resource Capacity for ICT Development
WE UNDERTAKE to formulate a comprehensive human resource development plan in the area of ICT to enable the Region to meet its needs and participate as an equal partner in the new technologically informed global economy. The effective use of ICT presumes a literate population able to use the tools provided by the new technologies.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, WE, the Heads of the State or Government, or our duly authorised representatives, have signed this Declaration.
DONE AT Blantyre, on this day of August, 2001 in three (3) originals, in the English, French and Portuguese languages, all texts being equally authentic.


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