USAID's Macedonia Connects project marks successful end

Friday, 05 October 2007

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) brings to an end the US $ 3,9 million project, that made Macedonia the first wireless country in the world. Over the past three years, USAID’s Macedonia Connects project (MK Connects) brought free broadband Internet to nearly 550 schools throughout the country, made Internet affordable to local businesses and individuals, and increased the number of Internet users nationwide. - The project is rather significant for our country, making it the first wireless country in the world, which is an additional favorable publicity for Macedonia worldwide. It also presents an additional 'driving power' for the Government's efforts to build e-society, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said Wednesday at the closeout ceremony. For the Internet to become accessible for all, the Government  has been taking a series of measures, such as  the campaign Computer for Every Child, free Internet in schools, obligatory IT education, new IT Faculty in Stip, 125 scholarships for talented IT students, free computer lessons, Internet-cafes and free Internet for citizens up to 26 and over 62 years of age, liberalization of the on-line services market and cutting the VAT for IT equipments from 18 to 5 percent. For a short period the number of Macedonian citizens using Internet has been increased from seven to 30 percent, which is a recognition for the Government's engagement in this sphere, Gruevski said. - Our vision is for Macedonia to a regional IT center, which will contribute to improving the competitiveness, productivity and development of Macedonia's economy and society, Gruevski said. Macedonia Connects has revolutionized life in Macedonia by creating competition that has drastically reduced the price of Internet access, US Ambassador Gillian Milovanovic said. - One key item the Government must plan for is the continuation of Internet connectivity for the schools. This is crucial because without Internet connectivity, the investment both our governments have made in technology cannot achieve the results we desire, she said. Through MK Connects, free Internet access was provided to some Macedonian municipalities, coinciding with the start of the decentralization process. Municipalities have leveraged this access and developed sophisticated websites and portals where citizens can get updated information on municipal services. The improvement in citizen services is building increased popular support for the decentralization process, and brings government closer to the people. This represents world class good governance, delivered at the local level. In addition to Internet access, teachers and students received valuable tools for improving learning and teaching practices through the first School Web Portal in Macedonia (www.schools.edu.mk). This web portal allows students, teachers and parents to access e-mail, exchange educational materials, and host free web pages for their schools. Over a thousand school teachers received free training in web design. With the closure of MK Connects, USAID's free Internet to schools will end on December 31, 2007. The American people, through USAID, have invested nearly $500 million in Macedonia since 1993. More than 20 projects worth $25 million a year are currently being implemented. They include initiatives to accelerate economic growth, develop democratic institutions, and educate citizens for a modern economy.

 

< Prev		Next >