The Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA) has called for a business forum with key stakeholders, including mobile phone operators, consumer groups, Internet Service Providers and providers of ICT services, in a bid to help grow the country's technology sector.

The ICT Business Forum, scheduled to take place in October, is an opportunity to showcase innovation and facilitate discussion involving policymakers over how to address challenges within the sector.

"Providers of ICT products and services are continuously offloading innovative products and services on the market. At the same time, the regulation of the ICT sector by government must keep abreast with the fastest changing technology without limiting technology, and the viability of the businesses in the sector," ZICTA said.

In order to achieve balance, the regulatory body said there is need for continuous engagement and consensus building among government, businesses and consumer groups.

ZICTA adds that the primary interest of the government is to maintain a favourable environment for businesses to thrive, while ensuring that the interests of consumers are not overlooked.

Andrew Makanya, marketing director at Internet Solutions Zambia said it was a good thing that ZICTA has called for the forum to see how the country's ICT sector grows.

"We have to discuss the regulation itself by ZICTA and how good policies by the government can help us grow our businesses," Makanya said.

Yamfwa Mukanga, Zambia's minister of Communications and Transport, said the government would be interested in finding ways in which the high cost of communication in the country can be reduced.

"Our interest in that forum is to find ways and means of bringing down the high cost of communication by service providers," Mukanga said.