Region to benefit from Digital Development Strategy

THE development of a CARICOM Single Information Communication and Technologies (ICT) space will bring real benefits for consumers and businesses in our Community.

CARICOM Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, has told the 48th Special Meeting for the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) that a Regional Digital Development Strategy will fully establish modern regional regulatory, while opening telecommunications infrastructures with affordable networks using converged technologies, to provide affordable and universal access.

According to him, this would lead to a positive effect on such issues as roaming rates and provide for a single area code as well as address copyright, spectrum and broadband matters.

He pointed out that the strategy would also look at areas such as capacity-building; regional policy direction, leadership and governance; innovation and efficiency; all of which lead to a CARICOM Information and Knowledge Society.

Touching specifically on the development of a human resource capacity in the sector, he outlined that a step in this direction would be the Caribbean Research and Education Network (C@ribNET).

The initiative was launched last February and is operated and managed by the Caribbean Knowledge and Learning Network Agency.

“A successful digital economy hinges on our ability to harness Research, Innovation and Education, and C@ribNET, if utilised fully, can facilitate advancement in these areas and other sectors such as health. Mechanisms must be put in place to take advantage at the national level of the possibilities offered via C@ribNET. Thus, C@ribNET should be celebrated as a regional ‘win’ and a public good,” he added.

LaRocque also noted that there was a role for all the relevant regional institutions and the private sector, relating to implementing the strategy.

“Some of these institutions such as the Caribbean Telecommunications Union, CARICAD, and CXC along with the regional universities are already engaged in initiatives which, with proper coordination, would greatly assist the achievement of the objectives of the strategy,” he stated. (JMB)