World Bank: IT investments can pay off

The World Bank said Friday that investments in building up an information society can pay off if the risks are managed carefully.

In a report entitled "E-Development: From Excitement to Effectiveness," the agency found that institutional reforms and other strategies must go hand-in-hand if technological investments are to reap in rewards.

"The record of e-government projects in both developed and developing countries has been mixed," said Robert Schware, editor of the report, in a news release. "While e-government applications can be useful tools for improving governance and the quality of life of citizens, a lot can go wrong along the way."

In addition, the bank reported that the digital divide is "very much part of the broader development divide."

Copyright 2005 by United Press International