We are drafting laws and standards for data center operations: Communications Minister Sharma

Communication and Information Technology Minister Rekha Sharma has said that laws and standards for the operation of the data centre will be formulated immediately. Speaking on the occasion of National ICT Day on Thursday, Minister Sharma informed that laws and standards will be formulated immediately to create a suitable environment for the private sector to operate data centres.

With the recent development and expansion in the field of information technology, there has been a significant increase in its use in Nepal. The use of electronic systems in various public services has increased. The use of electronic systems has increased from basic services used in daily life to functions of national and international importance.

Services such as National Identity Card, MRP, Driver’s License, Citizen App, Integrated Office Management System, Company Registration and Renewal, Tax Payment are done through electronic system.

The contribution of information technology sector is becoming important not only in service delivery but also in foreign exchange earning. Sharma says that information technology has come forward as an emerging sector and its use is indispensable for the development of the country.

Information technology has been added as a new and emerging field. On the one hand, information technology is being established as a separate productive sector, on the other hand, every sector can be advanced through the use of information technology,’ he said, ‘the private sector has been very enthusiastic about the development of the information technology sector. Even now, the private sector is bringing in tens of thousands of foreign currency every year through the export of information technology services.

Nearly one lakh young people are working in the country in exporting information technology services. In today’s situation where millions of young people go abroad for employment, information technology has shown a new possibility.

The future global economy is the digital economy. The government has also started making various efforts to build a digital economy. Recently, new technologies are coming as emerging technologies. The government has the same role in regulating it.

Sharma says that necessary policies and laws should be made as soon as possible to see how Nepal can benefit from the development and expansion of new and transformative technologies such as AI, cloud computing, IOT, and blockchain at the global level.

Minister Sharma is saddened that although the government has implemented the Digital Nepal Framework 2076 intending to achieve economic prosperity through digital transformation by digitizing all sectors including agriculture, energy, tourism, education, health, finance, and urban infrastructure, Minister Sharma is saddened.

She also urged all parties related to the framework to be serious about the meaning of the Digital Nepal Framework and to maintain uniformity in understanding for implementation. She said that the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology is working to make Nepal an IT hub.

“To manage the information technology industry and especially the currently growing service export, it has become mandatory to operate an IT hub in the very future,” said Sharma, “If the necessary infrastructure can be built to promote the information technology industry and start-ups from one place to promote the export of information technology services, There will be an environment for integrating the knowledge, skills and labour of investors from within and outside the country and the knowledge, skills and labour of skilled manpower in the information technology sector.’

As an effort of the same, in the investment conference held a while ago, the Ministry had projects such as a Data Center, IT/Technopark, Computer Hardware Assembly Plant, ICT Training Center, Digital Service Center, Smart Phone Manufacture and Assembly Plant, Incubation Center etc. He believes that if investment can be ensured in these projects, a new dimension will be added to the economic prosperity of Nepal.

Currently, the Ministry is working on making new laws for the development and expansion of information technology and formulating an integrated policy by reviewing the Information and Communication Technology Policy, 2072, Telecommunication Policy, 2060 and Broadband Policy, 2071.