As part of a USAID program, an IT for Development (IT4D) Assessment was performed in the Republic of Georgia. The goal of IT4D is to promote the use of ICTs to augment traditional development activities as a means of enhancing economic, democratic, and social transition in emerging economies. The assessment was done to determine if an enabling framework for the ICT sector existed in Georgia and if this framework could be leveraged to use ICTs within the development portfolio. The assessment dealt with four main questions: the current access to technology and information, the present regulatory framework, who in the country is already participating in ICTs, and whether a telecommunications regulator already exists.
The results of the assessment indicate that Georgia has recently intensified the availability of ICTs for both the public and private sectors. In addition, Georgia is one of a few countries within the region to have an independent telecommunications regulator. Although it has weaknesses, such as unreliable service outside of the primary urban areas, it has been able to secure an open and competitive environment with a diverse range of services. The government has yet to test the regulatory framework and the participation of civil society within the ICT sector remains underrepresented, however, both of these groups are growing more active in their participation, which is promising.
Our recommended course of action is that a complete ICT assessment be conducted that identifies specific initiatives where ICTs could be best leveraged as part of an integrated development portfolio. Once specific opportunties are clearly defined, collaboration could begin between the host country, NGOs, donors and the private sector. Some activities that we suggest would be creating a series of workshops to present the current state of the ICT sector, establishing community information access points, and leveraging the internet and technology to promote both small business development and foreign direct investment.
