Heads of Govt. approve Draft Roadmap for single ICT Space

Feb 18, 2017 News

Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) yesterday approved the Draft Road map for the establishment of a single Information Communications Technology (ICT) Space within the region.
This brainchild of CARICOM, will allow for harmonisation of ICT and other legislative framework in member states; the removal of roaming charges; the encouragement of digital entrepreneurship; equip all citizens as Digital citizens; and establish ICT as a means of financial solutions among other regional benefits.
It is anticipated that the initiative will also provide for a single area code, as well as address spectrum and broadband matters.
The draft roadmap was prepared by a highly technical team that was headed by the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) and was presented at the 28th Inter-sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM which concluded yesterday in Georgetown.
On behalf of the Heads of Government, CARICOM Chairman, Guyana’s President David Granger, commended the CTU and the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) for making presentations and recommendations.
Granger said that the single ICT Space would be one of the driving forces for social and economic development of the Community.
He stated also, that the initiative will enhance the environment for investment and production and provide an opportunity for innovation to flourish.
The single ICT space, Granger said, will lead the community on to the path that will be a sustainable increase in growth and jobs. It will also enhance efficiency and increase access to public services.
The Heads of Government have mandated the development of the Single ICT space by 2019 and have identified it as a key enabler for the formation of the CARICOM Digital economy.
The approval of the roadmap comes against the backdrop of Guyana now moving ahead with its E-Governance Project.
The E-Government Network will be linked with the Smart City programme which is administered by the Ministry of Public Security. Several schools and Ministries have already been linked and are part of the Government’s plans to ensure that the internet is available in facilities and communities across Guyana.
The objective of the project is to improve the quality of social services, to fight crime, to boost the standard of education, to promote digital literacy, and provide an Information ICT path.
Cabinet has already received and approved a request for a technical support and training programme for the E-Government Unit by the Huawei Technologies Limited Company.

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