KATHMANDU: Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma, emphasized the importance of fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors to expand access to information technology (IT) for citizens.

In a meeting with a delegation from the Nepal Association for Software and IT Services Companies (NAS-IT) on Friday, the Minister underscored the significance of such cooperation in leveraging communications and information technology to drive digital transformation across the nation.

Minister Sharma emphasized the need to raise public awareness about IT innovation and its practical applications in daily life, emphasizing that its use should simplify people’s lives.

She noted that while a few individuals in the technical field understand the importance of communications and information technology, it’s crucial to democratize its benefits to the broader population.

Furthermore, Minister Sharma reaffirmed the government’s commitment to implementing the Digital Nepal Framework, recognizing that communications and information technology are foundational to good governance and economic prosperity.

She pledged to amend laws to encourage investment in the communications and IT sector, highlighting the necessity of government-private sector collaboration to advance the IT industry and foster national development.

During the meeting, lawmaker Manish Jha emphasized the importance of expanding IT infrastructure at the community and school levels to develop it as a competitive sector.

He suggested that introducing IT education in schools, with support from local and provincial governments, could create job opportunities for millions of youths.

Other speakers at the event advocated for initiatives such as integrated data centers at the local level, legal provisions to facilitate the establishment of foreign branches of Nepali IT companies, prioritization of the IT industry, startups, and investments, the establishment of an IT board for streamlined governance, and prioritizing national IT products in government services and IT parks.

They also suggested that the government procure software developed by Nepali IT companies.