IBM SUPPORTS ACCELERATED ADOPTION OF TECHNOLOGY IN TANZANIA

President Jakaya Kikwete in a souvenir photo with Prof. Makame M. Mbarawa, the Minister for Communication, Science and Technology, Dr. Mark Dean, Chief Technology Officer and IBM Fellow, IBM Middle East (second left), Mr Jean-Christophe Knoertzer, General Manager IBM Central, East and West Africa and Africa and Country General Manager IBM Tanzania, Mr David Sawe (left) and their team when they paid him a courtesy call at the State House in the city on Wednesday July 4, 2012.
New initiative with Tanzanian Government includes utilizing ICT to broaden trade with landlocked neighbors
By a Correspondent
IBM has signed a collaboration agreement with the Tanzanian Ministry of Communication, Science and Technology to help accelerate the adoption of technology as part of Tanzania's ongoing development and strategy to increase its competitiveness in East Africa.
IBM will work with the Tanzanian Government to help achieve its vision of becoming a hub for trade in the wider East Africa region and to enhance sustainable economic development as outlined in the Tanzania National ICT Policy.
"This agreement supports the goals of the National ICT Commission to use innovative technologies and approaches to transform our infrastructures, build national data centers, increase cyber-security and invest in IT talent development," said Honourable Prof. Makame M. Mbarawa, the Minister for Communication, Science and Technology.
"Working with IBM will help to ensure that our initiatives are in line with international standards while positioning us to become competitive regionally and internationally, " he added.
IBM and the Government of Tanzania will co-operate to support the country's National ICT agenda developing simplified and more effective social and administrative systems for e-Government, e-Health and e-Education among other areas.
"IBM is a long