4.2. Institutional Structure /Arrangement/ In recognition of the existing institutional short comings to support and facilitate ICT development, the Government has put in place the necessary institutional building blocks required for the development of a robust ICT sector. In part, the measures taken were dictated by the rapid evolution of the ICT industry world-wide and the similar situation being observed in Ethiopia. Amongst the measures taken thus far is the establishment of the Ethiopian Information and Communications Technology Development Agency (EICTDA). The Agency is given a mandate to formulate ICT policies and strategies, and coordinate their implementation. The Agency’s basic objective is to create a conducive environment for the development of ICT; and for its effective application in the process of national development. Its important function is to “use information communication technology” in such a way that it contributes to the nation’s socio-economic development and the building of democracy and good government. Other key players and stakeholders facilitating and supporting the development and implementation of ICT in Ethiopia include the Ethiopian Science and Technology Ministry, the Ethiopian Telecommunications Agency, a regulatory body, Information Network Security Agency (INSA), the Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation, the Ethiopian Broadcasting Agency and the Graduate College of Telecommunications and Information Technology. Additionally, the ICT policy also gives due consideration to the following. a) Establishing a National ICT council (NICTC), members of this council will constitute representatives of the academic, professionals and civil society organizations. b) Establishing a body that coordinates and supervises those government institutions with national responsibilities to supervise and monitor the implementation of ICT basic development policy as well as the sector. c) Developing adequate and sustainable capacity at all levels of government and across different sectors for formulating and implementing national ICT programs and projects. d) Articulating public and private sector partnership modalities for national ICT development. 24