2007年-世界发展银行全球_Trade_in_Information_and_Communication_Services___Opportunities_for_East_and_Southern_Africa_123页_1mb

Summary of "Trade in Information and Communication Services: Opportunities for East and Southern Africa"

Core Content

This report, commissioned by the World Bank's Global Information and Communication Technologies Department (GICT) and prepared by Telecommunications Management Group, Inc. (TMG), evaluates the opportunities for trade in Information and Communication Services (ICS) in East and Southern Africa, with a focus on Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. It explores the role of ICT in economic growth, the current state of ICT competitiveness, and the implications of WTO commitments for the region's ICT sector.

Main Viewpoints

• ICT and Trade Interdependence: There is a strong relationship between ICT and trade, which can be viewed in three dimensions: trade in ICT products, trade in services that rely on ICT, and ICT as a facilitator of other types of trade.
• ICT Competitiveness: ICT competitiveness is determined by a combination of infrastructure, legal and regulatory frameworks, business environment, and human resources. These factors collectively influence a country's ability to participate in the global information economy.
• WTO Commitments and Impact: WTO agreements such as the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and the Information Technology Agreement (ITA) provide a framework for liberalizing ICT trade and reducing tariffs on ICT products, which can enhance the attractiveness of the region for investment.
• Challenges and Opportunities: Despite some progress in liberalizing the ICT sector, many countries in the region still face significant challenges, including insufficient investment, poor quality of service, and limited regulatory reforms.

Key Information

1. Introduction

• The report highlights the critical role of ICT in global trade and the potential for developing countries to benefit from ICT-related trade.
• It focuses on the intersection of trade and ICT in East and Southern Africa, with an emphasis on the three Case Study Countries: Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
• The report outlines the importance of multilateral trade commitments in enhancing the credibility and attractiveness of the ICT environment for investors.

2. Review of ICT-Competitiveness

2.1 ICT Infrastructure and Services

2.1.1 Market Overview

• The Case Study Countries have been progressively liberalizing their ICT sectors.
• Kenya: The government has taken steps to privatize and introduce competition, but Telkom Kenya remains the dominant player.
• Tanzania: The sector became fully liberalized in 2005, leading to increased competition and a broader range of services.
• Uganda: The sector has seen significant liberalization since the 1990s, with the introduction of private operators and a shift toward more competitive pricing.

2.1.2 Fixed Line Telecommunications Services

• Kenya: Fixed line teledensity was 0.90 in 2006, but the market remains dominated by Telkom Kenya with a 99% market share.
• Tanzania: Teledensity was 0.4 in 2007, with limited competition and a high waiting time for fixed line connections.
• Uganda: Teledensity was 0.5 in 2006, with some improvements in service quality over the years.

2.1.3 International Voice Services

• Kenya and Uganda have granted licenses for international voice services to mobile operators.
• Tanzania has not yet done so, and there is potential for improvement in this area.

2.1.4 Mobile Communications

• Mobile subscriptions have grown rapidly in all three countries, with Kenya and Tanzania showing higher adoption rates.
• Mobile operators have introduced various services and pricing models, including prepaid and postpaid plans.

2.1.5 Internet Access

• Internet penetration is low in all three countries, with Kenya having the highest teledensity at 0.90 in 2006.
• Internet prices are relatively high, especially in Kenya, where the monthly basket cost US$ 15, the highest among the Initial Study Countries.

2.1.6 International Backbone Connectivity

• International backbone connectivity is a key factor in enabling global ICT trade.
• Limited infrastructure and high costs are major constraints in the region.

2.1.7 Computer Market

• The computer market is underdeveloped, with limited local production and high import tariffs.
• There is potential for growth through improved policies and investment.

2.1.8 ICT Sector

• The ICT sector is still in its early stages of development in the region.
• Countries are working to improve their regulatory frameworks and business environments to attract investment.

2.2 Policy, Legal, and Regulatory Framework

• Legal and regulatory frameworks are crucial for enabling ICT trade and attracting foreign investment.
• Kenya and Uganda have made some commitments under GATS, while Tanzania has not.
• There are opportunities for further reform to align with WTO obligations and improve competitiveness.

2.3 Business Environment

• Taxes: High import tariffs on ICT equipment and services remain a barrier to trade.
• Electricity: Reliable electricity supply is essential for the functioning of ICT services.
• Doing Business: Kenya and Uganda have relatively better rankings in terms of ease of doing business.
• Foreign Investment: There is potential for increased foreign investment in the ICT sector, but legal and regulatory barriers still exist.
• Governance: Governance indicators vary across the three countries, with Kenya showing the highest level of governance.

2.4 Human Factors

• Literacy and Education: Low levels of literacy and education hinder the development of a skilled ICT workforce.
• Skilled Labor Force: There is a shortage of skilled ICT professionals in the region.
• English Language Skills: English is a key language for international trade and ICT services, but proficiency varies.
• Labor Costs: Labor costs are relatively low, which can be an advantage for ICT-related services.

3. Trade and ICT

• ICT Contribution to Economic Growth: The ICT sector contributes significantly to economic growth, particularly in services such as BPO and data entry.
• Impact of Trade in Services: Trade in services, especially those enabled by ICT, can drive economic growth and development.
• ICT-Enabled Services: These services, such as BPO and IT outsourcing, offer significant opportunities for the region.
• Benefits of WTO Commitments: WTO commitments can enhance transparency, support domestic reform, and attract foreign investment.

4. WTO and ICT Commitments

• WTO ICT-Related Agreements: The GATS and ITA are key agreements that govern trade in ICT services and products.
• Case Study Countries' Commitments: Kenya and Uganda have made some commitments under GATS, while Tanzania has not.
• Legal and Regulatory Modifications: Necessary changes include improving transparency, reducing tariffs, and enhancing regulatory frameworks to align with WTO obligations.

Conclusion

• The report concludes that the potential for ICT-related trade in East and Southern Africa is largely untapped.
• Countries need to improve their infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and business environments to fully benefit from ICT trade.
• There is a need for further legal and policy reforms to align with WTO commitments and enhance competitiveness.