(xiii) Develop programs to attract and retain skilled ICT professionals in the economy. (xiv) Ensure that opportunities exist which will enable all learners to acquire ICT skills and be able to use them confidently and creatively to access employment or further training. 3.4 Industry (i) Encourage local ICT development for the local and export market by supporting and providing incentives for innovations and experimentation in software, hardware and ICT (ii) systems development. Encourage the growth of software development by increasing awareness among the public and private sector of the opportunities offered by different forms of software, including open-source, proprietary and free software. (iii) Promote the professional recognition of technical professionals in the ICT sector. (iv) Encourage Research and Development in the ICT sector. (v) Promote participation of local ICT organisations in international ICT events for acquaintance with the international market, trends and establishment of business contacts. (vi) Promote joint ventures between local and foreign entrepreneurs in the ICT sector. (vii) Create a culture of innovation, entrepreneurship and technological sophistication in order to support the extensive and innovative applications of ICT. (viii) Promote ICT as a catalyst for business modernisation, principally for the tourism, fisheries, offshore financial services industries, and to support small and medium enterprises. National ITC ICT Policy for Seychelles 8