Parliament - The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector should respond appropriately to the current economic recession to ensure continuity in delivering better services to the people.
The announcement was made by Communications Minister, General Simphiwe Nyanda, while tabling his Budget Vote in Parliament on Tuesday.
He said although the budget was being delivered against the backdrop of the economic challenges facing the world, one of government's priorities was to ensure a massive programme to build economic and social infrastructure.
"We need to respond to this reality, cognisant of our people's expectations of a better life. We dare not fail them.
"Like other sectors of the economy, the ICT sector has to respond appropriately, to ensure that we continue delivering better services to all the people," he said.
During the past fifteen years, the ICT sector contributed close to 7 percent to the gross domestic product of the country, which was a significant contribution, given its size.
Mr Nyanda said to consolidate on these gains; the country needed to constantly review its policy and regulatory environment, to assess whether it appropriately supports the future growth of the sector.
"I believe that the time has come to outline the country's long-term vision for the sector; to direct future interventions by all spheres of government and relevant role-players; and to provide policy certainty for the industry and investors.
"We will therefore develop an Integrated National ICT Policy Framework, which will be ready by the end of the financial year," he said.
The policy framework will seek to promote the convergence of technologies, and to stimulate the growth of the economy, in line with the objectives of the National Industrial Policy.
It will furthermore encourage e-commerce activities and expand ICT infrastructure, linking rural and urban communities as well as uplift the poor.
