CANTO Board, Prime Minister of Curacao (Hon H. Koeiman - 3rd from left), dignitaries and co-hosts at the Opening Ceremony in Curacao

Curaçao, one of the Caribbean's best kept secret is the location of CANTO's 33rd Annual General Meeting. The event is co-hosted by United Telecommunication Services and Bureau Telecommunicatie en Post and is being held at the Renaissance Resort & Casino, Curacao.

From the 29th -31st January, top executive telecommunication operators and suppliers from over 34 countries will focus on the theme: "Reimagining ICT as a Tool for National Growth and Development". Reimagining ICT is high on CANTO's agenda and focuses on ICT connectivity beyond the modernization of societies as a catalyst for real economic change.

CANTO commenced its meeting with an Opening Ceremony on Sunday 29th with a distinguished line up of officials. The speakers included the Prime Minister of Curaçao, Hon. Hensley Koeiman; Franklin Sluis, Managing Director of Bureau Telecommunicatie en Post; Paul de Geus, CEO of United Telecommunication and Services; Julian Wilkins, Chairman of CANTO; Rachel Cameron Director of CANTO and Teresa Wankin, Secretary General of CANTO.

Mrs. Wankin in her welcome remarks to the delegates pointed out that: '"This is the first time we have a member teaming up with a regulator to host the AGM which underscores that when it comes to collaborating on matters of common concern, our members always put the region first". She elaborated by advising the members of the importance of CANTO and its membership as CANTO provides a platform that gives the telecoms industry a voice on the issues facing the region.

Mr. Julian Wilkins strengthened the Secretary General's points by outlining the three (3) focal points of the organization's strategic objectives. Mr Wilkins stated that: "The Board is currently engaging external consultants to re-vamp our strategic direction and create a work plan that aims to develop three (3) main goals: Engage, Lead and Advocate. Wilkins further stated that: "We want to Engage with members' value proposition; We want to Lead and improve Governance; and we want to Advocate and increase CANTO's visibility and influence at all levels in the ICT arena". Those objectives will help CANTO Influence the innovation and development of ICT solutions for the benefit of members by developing, navigating and leveraging relationships with all stakeholders.

The ceremony ended with a Welcome and Networking Cocktail, where delegates were treated to the cuisine and culture of Curaçao.

The AGM continues on Monday with the 'Reimagining ICT as a Tool for National Growth and Development session and meetings of the eight (8) working committees of the Board.

About

CANTO

CANTO is recognized as the leading trade association of the ICT sector for shaping information and communication in the Caribbean. Founded in 1985 as a non-profit association of 8 telephone operating companies, CANTO has now grown to over 120 members in more than 34 countries. A Board of Directors appointed by the membership directs policy of the Association. This strategy is executed by the staff of a permanent Secretariat based in Trinidad and Tobago

UTS Group

The UTS Group is one of the Caribbean's premier, integrated and growing providers of proven telecommunication technology. It serves consumers, businesses, governments, and other institutions in the Caribbean area. UTS provide advanced, reliable and competitive telecommunication solutions and after-sales care for its customers, wherever and whoever they may be, for personal or professional use. Backed with over 90 years of experience, UTS is the market leader and trendsetter in its main markets in long distance and mobile telephony services. UTS offers Internet services, advanced data networks as well as transaction-based services, lease lines, pre-paid cards and pre-paid mobile telephony.

Bureau Telecommunicatie en Post (BT&P)

The Bureau Telecommunicatie en Post is a multi-sectoral independent supervisor and in such capacity it applies itself to the monitoring of service providers and end users of telecommunication services and/or the products originating from same (fixed telephone connections, cellular telephony and long distance telephony); the broadcasting sector (radio and TV), the postal sector, the electricity sector, the water distribution sector and the fuel sector. By the independent status of the Bureau its added value in these markets as supervisor is three-fold, to wit:

With its knowledge and power the BT&P organization also serves as a catalyst for the technological and economic development and growth of the various sectors which have an impact on society and which are governed by its powers. Apart from this, it offers adequate solutions for bottlenecks which impede this development and growth and offers support at the implementation thereof.