that for the National ICT Strategy to be in e-commerce by many developing countries. successful, it must be incorporated into the The decline in the cost of telecommunications overall development strategy of the country. It and access to the Internet worldwide have should assess the prospects and options for given rise to the globalization of business- promoting the ICT industry, for using ICT in key support services and the outsourcing of back- sectors of the economy, and for empowering office work to developing countries like India and networking all stakeholders involved in and the Philippines. Over 50 nations currently national export software and ICT-enabled services. In development governance initiatives. and It democratic should also Kenya, for example, Naushad Trading systematically address how to use ICT as an Company which sells local wood carvings, enabling tool, in combination with other baskets and pottery, grew from US$ 10, 000 instruments, to address the two overarching to over US$ 2 million in the two years since it goals of national development in developing went online. countries such as Belize: 2. Using ICT across the board - A second (1) sustainable economic growth - driven major thrust for competitiveness and broad by participating in a highly dynamic global economic growth is to use ICT in the most industry and by diffusing ICT to enhance critical industries and services of the country, broad promote ICT diffusion among micro, small based, economy wide and medium enterprises (typical of most competitiveness; (2) poverty reduction - facilitated by broad-based economic and social growth, accelerated human development and nationwide empowerment. industries in developing countries such as Belize) to make them more efficient and effective, and deploy ICT for modernizing government-to-business transactions. Although it is up to the private sector to Sustainable Economic growth is achieved take the lead in such use, governments though can influence and accelerate this process enhancing competitiveness and growth across broad sectors of the economy. through ICT can be used to achieve this in two ways: establishing the necessary laws and 1. Developing the local ICT industry - the local ICT industry, and particularly, the newly enabled services such as Business Processing Outsourcing (BPOs), presents major opportunities for job creation and participation Belize ICT National Strategy regulations providing various for means, including e-commerce, incentives and for investments that would alter managerial practices strengthen supply and chains. Perhaps most promising for 17