Omatek partners government to launch E-xpress Scheme

Accra, Sept. 27, GNA - Omatek Computers Ghana in partnership with government has launched its e-xpress consumer initiative to make computer acquisition easy and affordable.

Under the scheme, civil servants, corporate executives, organisations, educational institution and students would be able to acquire computers within 12 to 24 months through a structured payment plan with partnering banks.

The initiative forms part of government's i-ADVANCE project, which is a government assisted purchase programme, launched in August 2006. Speaking at the launch, Dr Benjamin Aggrey-Ntim, Minister of Communications, said Omatek's partnership with government was in the right direction as it would help increase the number of computers available to individuals.

Since its launch two years ago, the i-ADVANCE project has helped to make available over 21,000 computers, both desktops and laptops.

Dr Aggrey-Ntim said "It is our hope that the partnership with Omatek will help multiply several times the number of computers available to students, civil servants and public institutions," he said. He said the initiative would impact positively on education, job creation and employment, which were necessary for accelerating the country's development.

Mrs Florence Seriki, Group Managing Director, Omatek Ventures, said although the scheme was private sector driven, government's support had given a new meaning and momentum to the scheme.

She appealed to government to take a second look at duties charged on importation of information technology equipment and materials, especially completely knocked down components, to make the cost of computers low and affordable to the end users. Mrs Seriki said a reduction in Value Added Tax charged on IT

consumables will also encouraged more investments into the sector. She urged government to do more for the sector by policy pronouncements that would encourage state institutions to patronise locally assembled computers.

Mrs Seriki expressed the hope that the collaboration between Omatek e-xpress scheme and i-advance would help to bridge the digital divide and enhance IT penetration in the country. In a related development, Omatek also launched its 8in and 10in Smartbooks positioned for the educational sector. Professor Dominic Fobih, Minister of Education, Science and Sports, lauded Omatek for the effort and said it would go a long way to revolutionalise the educational sector. The event also marked the official unveiling of the new Omatek brand identity.

Omatek is the first completely knock down factory in Africa to produce computer casings, speakers, desktops and notebooks. 27 Sept 08