Minister Genc Pollo

Minister for Innovation and ICT Promoting Competitive Telecom Sector

Genc Pollo, Albania’s Minister for Innovation and ICT, is very confi dent that Albania will attract continued foreign investment in its ICT sector as it works to develop advanced telecom and ICT services. He says, “The Ministry of Innovation and ICT is working hard with key private sector partners to ensure that Albania’s ICT sector continues to become more competitive in the future.” As part of this effort, in autumn of 2011 the Albanian government will award a concession for installing, developing and managing Albania’s National Broadband Network (REKAB).

Genc Pollo, Minister for Innovation and ICT

The ministry has also liberalised telecom regulations to promote competition. Genc Pollo explains, “We have made efforts to reduce the level of regulation imposed on this very dynamic industry. In effect, expanded the obligations for operators with significant market power with regard to tariffs and access to their networks. Vodafone and Albanian Mobile Communication received a license to be 3G operator for the country, as further licensing will follow ”

Ambitious e-government programme

Other efforts by the ministry to modernise Albania’s ICT services include an ambitious e-government programme, Gov.Net, which is designed to connect all public institutions throughout the country; it will be completed by the end of 2011. Minister Pollo says, “All documentation, legislative initiatives, and other key information will be stored in a digital format open to public access. The processing of applications within the bureaucracy will be followed on line increasing good governace and transparency ” In its drive to develop a knowledge based society, the Government has completed a programme to equip all Albania’s schools with computer labs equipped with Internet connections. In addition, the ministry’s PAP project has brought widely used public Internet access to 550 post offices all over the country.

Strengthening links with the EU through ICT

Although Albania’s infrastructure and energy projects have attracted most of the FDI in the country in recent years, the ICT sector deserves an equal amount of investor attention, Minister Pollo believes. He says, “Why is it so important for Albania’s ICT industry to develop? The answer lies in our country’s need to leapfrog and to become more closely aligned with the EU. Without ICT and telecom growth and development, how can we expect to reach a level of innovation that is truly respectable in the international community?”