When I look at the efforts that South Africa, Egypt, Mauritius and other emerging BPO destinations are putting to raise awareness about their countries as players in the BPO world, I am left wondering if the ICT Board is really aware of the challenge that they have in raising Kenya's profile? It will require a serious assault by Kenya, on the international market, together with a clear strategic plan, if we are to make any headway. Otherwise Vision 2030 can as well forget about the BPO sector. The Board could learn a thing or two from these countries. In the first place has the Board conducted a competitor analysis of these countries that Kenya is competing with? This should be the first step. All of these countries invested heavily not just in marketing, but also by providing incentives to would-be investors in the sector. Is the ICT Board looking at developing incentives for BPO investors? How will Kenya compete favourably with other countries? What are the plans for the BPO park? It is likely to be an empty shell, at the rate at which operators are shutting down or suspending operations. Wambui Wakarema --- On Tue, 24/6/08, waudo siganga <emailsignet@mailcan.com> wrote: From: waudo siganga <emailsignet@mailcan.com> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Marketing Kenya as a BPO Destination (within and without the country) To: wambuiwakarema@yahoo.co.uk Cc: "New Vision List" <newvisionkenya@yahoogroups.com>, KICTAnet@yahoo.com, "Policy Discussions" <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Tuesday, 24 June, 2008, 9:11 AM Shem and Titus, I agree with your observations. After attending some ICT Board events I gathered that BPO is indeed the focus for the Board, with other activities being 1. Advisory to the Govt 2. Capacity Building and 3.. Project Management. I have heard the Board explain that they are not really into "ICT" per se but rather, its application. I do not mind marketing being a focus here (and I think they are doing a good job of it), but the gap to deal with "ICT" should abe addressed by the Government. The name "ICT Board" is somehow a misnomer that confuses some people. A better name would have been "ICT Marketing Board" or "ICT Promotion Board". Waudo, in Paris. On Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:49:38 -0700 (PDT), "Shem Ochuodho" <shemochuodho@yahoo.com> said: Titus, You raise a pertinent question. In the V-2030, the pillar is 'BPO', and not 'ICT'. And listening to Government officials, the focus seems to be on the former, and not the latter. And am left wondering why. Perhaps this may help explain why 'marketing' is ICT Board's core activity. If BPO is all the Board is about - or its main focus, then of course 'marketing' is the core function. Best rgrds, Shem --- On Mon, 6/23/08, Titus Mburu <titonjoroge@gmail.com> wrote: From: Titus Mburu <titonjoroge@gmail.com> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Marketing Kenya as a BPO Destination (within and without the country) To: "Shem Ochuodho" <shemochuodho@yahoo.com> Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Monday, June 23, 2008, 10:26 AM If I may, let me ask - what has been identified as one of the pillar in Vision 2030? Is it ICT or BPO? One of the TV stations focused on the call center industry, during the launch of Vision 2030 and i got worried. Regards, Titus Njoroge. People make a plan work, a plan alone seldom makes people work (Confucius). _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: wambuiwakarema@yahoo.co.uk Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/wambuiwakarema%40yahoo.... __________________________________________________________ Sent from Yahoo! Mail. A Smarter Email http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/nowyoucan.html