The broadband Internet has large importance for the entire economy and can be compared to the importance of the railway and the electrification for the previous century. Being behind in this area means guaranteed absence of progress in the entire country and that we cannot allow; hence, all measures laid down in this strategy must be vigorously implemented. The measures for e-Inclusion will ensure that all citizens enjoy the benefits of the new epoch. The digital divide in any form can be a serious threat and therefore the measures in this Strategy aim at overcoming of this gap. The Republic of Macedonia must respond appropriately to the future freeing of radiofrequency ranges (digital dividend) that will happen after the forthcoming digitalization of the radio broadcasting sector. These new radiofrequency ranges may be efficiently employed for the liberalization and development of the so called “wireless economy”. Units of local government will have a very important role for fast introduction of broadband internet. This is a novelty for the Republic of Macedonia and it will have to work hard to make it function as soon as possible. This Strategy is primarily oriented towards residential users and small and medium enterprises, which are expected to be leaders of development in the forthcoming period. Therefore, there is a section in this Strategy that treats SMEs and their specific needs. Scientific and research activities have their place in the Strategy as well; the final resolution of the status of MARNet is expected to provide domestic scientists with the network that is so essential for their work. Information “insecurity” may represent a significant threat for any ICT scenario; therefore, this issue is planned to be treated on a national level as well. The successful implementation of all these strategies (the National Strategy for Electronic Communications with Information Technologies, the National Strategy for the development of Information Society and the National Strategy for the development of Radio Broadcasting Industry), will depend on the successful establishment of a new Ministry for Information Society, the National Council for Development of the Information Society and the Information Society Development Fund. Under this Fund, the ICT Research and Development Programme will ensure better competitiveness and sustainability of the Macedonian economy by way of innovative products and services that facilitate the transition to a knowledge-based economy. Within 3 months following the adoption of this Strategy by the Assembly, the Government of the Republic of Macedonia in cooperation with all competent state agencies, the private and the civil sector, will develop an Action Plan for Implementation of the Measures prescribed with this Strategy. This Action Plan will be developed in accordance with the contemporary methods of planning and monitoring of project activities and will ensure transparency and time management during implementation of the projects. Page 40 of 40

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