MOGADISHU, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Somalia's cabinet late Thursday unanimously passed the draft National Communications Act which is expected to regulate telecommunication industry in the Horn of Africa nation.
The act which was submitted by the Ministry of Posts, Telecom and Technology is one of the oldest draft laws that was not passed by the Parliament.
However, the ministry has in the last couple of months accelerated the review process of this draft law through consultations with all stakeholders, including the Parliamentary Committee on Telecom and Information, regional states, telecom operators, ISPs and the academia.
Abdi Ashur Hassan, Minister for Posts, Telecom and Technology said in a statement that the Act, once passed, will regulate the telecom sector, one of Somalia's thriving industries, and protect the rights of both consumers and investors.
Hassan said that National Communications Act was one the priorities for the new leadership at the ministry.
"The most important and urgent issue the industry needs is an effective regulatory framework. Once passed by the Parliament, the Act will open a lot of opportunities for the sector and help us protect our investors both locally and internationally," he said.
The draft National Communications Act will be among the first bills to be submitted to the Parliament when it reopens in July.
