ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta, (29 August) - The E-ASEAN Task Force has opened its doors for Internet pilot projects proposals from all sectors and industries to jumpstart the building of an adequate Internet infrastructure in the region.

The Task Force, an advisory body composed of high level members from both the government and private sector, issued an open Call for Pilot Project Accreditation last August 21, across all 10 ASEAN member countries to identify projects and project paradigms that could jumpstart the ASEAN information Infrastructure and show immediate benefits to the ASEAN community.

Pre-submission queries will be accepted by the Task Force until August 28, and proposals will be accepted until Sept. 25.

The Task Force�s call for pilot projects is part of ASEAN efforts to boost its presence in the global information economy. The list of selected pilot projects will be presented to the ASEAN heads of state and government during their informal summit in November this year.

�We want to establish a strong ASEAN presence in the world of Internet and to show the global community that we have viable profit-making sites from our region,� said Roberto Romulo, chairman of the e-ASEAN Task Force.

�This first group of selected e-ASEAN projects will be presented to our leaders to show them that the Internet and ICTs are not only relevant to their constituents but that they also have real socioeconomic benefits.�

Internet pilot project proposals must be submitted in both electronic and hard copy formats at eclallana@fit-ed.org and addressed to the Executive Director, e-ASEAN Task Force Secretariat, 8/F Equitable Card Center Building, 203 Salcedo St., Legaspi Village, 1229 Makati City.

The Task Force is looking for project proposals that contribute to strengthening institutions and capacities that facilitate e-commerce in ASEAN countries, noting the needs of less advanced countries in ICTs.

Joint ventures between companies within ASEAN are encouraged, particularly those between the ICT-enabled economies and the newer ASEAN member countries.

Project content must be regional in scope, initially targeting at least two ASEAN countries but eventually to cover all 10-member countries.

Commercially viable projects are preferred, with special consideration given to projects which will be able to contribute to a common e-ASEAN fund, akin to a Universal Service Fund that can be used for projects geared toward e-Society and Governments online.

The Task Force will also consider proposals adopting novel funding models adopting the Build-Operate-Transfer of Build-Operate Own model in It-related projects, as well as those funded by multilateral agencies.

Selected proposals under this initial call for pilot projects will be announced during the fourth meeting of the Task Force on Oct. 9 to 10 in Bangkok, Thailand.