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Impact on development
Access to information is
an important tool for planning and decision-making, especially in
development related decisions. The South Asian Regional Development
Gateway envisages providing and promoting exchange and dissemination
of information on development matters. This goes hand in hand with
the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and World Summit on the
Information Society Declaration of Principles and Action Plan. The
enhancement of knowledge, information sharing and access to relevant
information, removes barriers to equitable access of information.
SARDEG also facilitates participation of local and professional
communities in virtual discussion and best practice sharing.
In the long term, the Regional Development Gateway will expand from
being primarily a Internet portal to act as a facilitator in
developing the digital economy in the sub-region. The Gateway will
contribute to reducing the digital divide and take the lead in
addressing and solving e-development issues in the region and
improving regional cooperation in good-governance, communication and
transparency within the development process.
Improving public sector transparency
In collaboration with the national regional trade associations and
chamber(s) of commerce, the country gateways, SARDEG aims at
fostering government transparency, efficiency and promotion of
business opportunities.
Regional management of aid for development
The Regional project database will enhance the efficiency of the
development partners, the government and other stakeholders in
effectively plan, track, monitor and compare the flow of aid and
external assistance to various development initiatives in the
region.
Catalyst for e-business
The regional gateway, in collaboration with the country gateways,
will provide online business services including market information
and business support services to the business community to foster
national development goals and participate in global business in a
regional environment on a manageable scale. The Gateway will assist
SMEs develop online product catalogues so that they can market their
products across the borders online.
Knowledge sharing
The regional gateway will provide a platform where Public, Private
Sector, Civil Society and Academia network and share information,
knowledge and experiences. Several databases will be geared
specifically for certain target groups such as the civil society
database, online women’ networks and the indigenous knowledge
database.
In summary the Gateway contributes to social-economic development,
and poverty reduction through:
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Enhancing knowledge,
information sharing and access to relevant information.
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Improving access to
business and market information.
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Developing an ICT
platform that enables networking among stakeholders
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Supporting local
capacity building, engagement and empowerment
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Increasing and
promoting access of local content, local language and Indigenous
Knowledge
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Promoting and
supporting innovative partnerships with different stakeholders.
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Providing affordable
web presence and a networking mechanism to Grassroots communities
(NGOs, CBOs, SMEs).
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Empowering women and
women groups through online networking and access to information
and opportunities.
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