3.3.3 Policy Challenges i. Building capacity and culture for maintenance and after sales services. ii. Increasing capacity of ICT project management. iii. Improving availability and affordability of hardware and software solutions. iv. Making available appropriate financing and fiscal mechanisms for ICT entrepreneurs. v. Promotion of ICT culture in Tanzania. vi. Encouraging the involvement of the private sector. vii. Development of local and open source software. viii. Development of local content. ix. Increasing in-sector networking and partnering. x. Addressing issues related to intellectual property rights. 3.3.4 Policy Statements 1. The Government will promote, encourage and support research and development activities in the areas of ICT and strengthen the national capability to develop research programs and projects in the ICT field. 2. The Government will nurture the emerging culture of innovation and entrepreneurship as an enabling environment for the growth and success of the ICT industry. 3. The Government will foster the growth and technological sophistication of the ICT industry in order to support the extensive and innovative application of ICT and the export of competitive ICT products and services. 4. The Government will encourage and support local institutions, in partnership with foreign owned multinational companies to establish production facilities, conduct research, and design as well as manufacture specialised ICT equipment locally. 3.4 Human Capital 3.4.1 Issues Tanzania is not the only country with insufficient numbers of skilled and experienced experts in ICT and in other professions that rely on ICT. It is therefore necessary to view Tanzania’s human capital needs in the global context. Hard choices must be made between importing needed skills, or slowly nurturing them within the country. Other choices are needed on the priorities of realigning the educational and vocational training pipelines to meet the needs of our labour markets. In addition, there are new opportunities in applying ICT to enhance education, including curriculum development, teaching methodologies, simulation laboratories, life-long learning and distance education and for teaching of not only ICT, but of all subjects and specialisations. If embraced appropriately and supported at all levels, these could transform the country’s human capital. 3.4.2 Policy Objectives a) Increase the size and quality of ICT-skilled human resource base in Tanzania. Page 13