Greetings Listers The Institute of Economic affairs will be holding pre-budget hearings on 1-2 Feb 2011 at the Sarova Stanley. I've been invited to make submissions, on behalf of the ICT sector, for consolidation by IEA with those from other sectors for consideration by treasury. I wish to extend this invitation to you all and will be happy to include any proposals you may have, as part of submissions for the sector. The key guidelines are that said proposals be in line with leveraging ICT to actualize Vision 2030 in the context of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework 2008-2012. Feel free, therefore, to make policy, legal, intitutional and other proposals that may, in your considered/expert view add mileage in this direction. In my experience with similar assignments in the past, GoK tends to be very responsive if proposals are, to the extent possible, backed by numerical data, especially where tax cuts are proposed!! For example: If you think that GoK should Reduce/Scrap the 26% (10% Excise and 16% VAT) tax on airtime, it is important to demonstrate the likely consequences and possible recovery of revenue foregone via other sources. Does it for example result in greater usage of airtime so that other sectors of the economy are spurred to greater activity, thereby increasing government revenue, indirectly? Where case studies are available, you have an almost (in political environments certainties are rare!) surefire winner. Kindest regards and looking forward to you proposals. O-M ________________________________