The Vice-President of the Republic of Mauritius, Mr Marie Cyril Eddy Boissézon, launched, on Thursday morning, the Blockchain-based eVerify services during a workshop at the Caudan Arts Centre, in Port Louis. The workshop focusing on the ‘Future of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Regulations’, was organised in the context of the 21st anniversary celebrations of the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (ICTA).
The Minister of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation, Mr Darsanand Balgobin, the Chairperson of the ICTA, Mr Dick Christophe Ng Sui Wa, and other eminent personalities were also present.
Blockchain-based eVerify services refers to a system or platform that utilises blockchain technology to verify and authenticate various types of information or transactions electronically. The eVerify Services, characterised by highly user friendliness and cost-effective aspects, will give added assurance to the different stakeholders and the public using licences issued by the Authority.
In his keynote address, Vice-President Boissézon observed that as new technologies drive new businesses, Government must enforce regulations so as to protect citizens and ensure fair market. He remarked that the rapid convergence of new technologies has transformed the ICT landscape almost beyond recognition.
For his part, Minister Balgobin commended the ICTA for its relentless dedication to promoting affordable and quality telecommunication services in the Republic of Mauritius. For over two decades, the Authority has been instrumental in shaping our nation’s digital landscape, he added.
Speaking about the Blockchain-based eVerify services, he indicated that the initiative signifies the commitment of Mauritius to embrace cutting-edge technologies and adapt its regulatory framework accordingly.
He pointed out that the eVerify services harness the inherent characteristics of blockchain, such as immutability, transparency, and security, to establish trust and ensure the integrity of data or documents. Blockchain-based eVerify services, he informed, have applications in various sectors, including education for verification of academic credentials, healthcare for patient records, supply chain for product authenticity, and Legal and Regulatory for contracts and documents.
As for the Chairperson of the ICTA, Mr Dick Christophe Ng Sui Wa, he stated that new technologies require ICT regulators to reconsider the tools they deploy to facilitate fair competition in the ICT sector and protect consumers. New technologies also pose legal, ethical and macroeconomic challenges, he pointed out.
He recalled that the Authority has issued 5G licenses to the three mobile operators. The ICTA, he indicated, is also working with other members of the SADC and the African Telecommunications Union to obtain new satellite positions in space for Mauritius.
