ICT Ministers Discuss Caribbean's Readiness
Day one and Ministers from the region wasted no time to get down to important matters at CANTO’s 34th Annual Conference and Trade Exhibition which is taking place at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, in Panama. The Conference runs from July 22nd to 25th 2018.
The Ministerial Round-table sponsored by C & W Communications focused on the theme “Winning the future -preparing for the digital economy and assessing the Caribbean’s readiness today. Is the region doing enough to catch up?
Ministers present and contributing at the sessions included:
Hon. Andrew Wheatley, Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Jamaica
Hon. Melford Nicholas, Minister of State and Information, Antigua & Barbuda
Hon. Vincent Byron, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Legal Affairs and Communications, St. Kitts & Nevis
Hon. Marlon Penn, Minister for Trade & Investment Promotion, BVI Kenva Williams,Turks and Caicos Islands Telecommunications Commission
The Jamaican Minister expressed the view that “all governments were on their way via their unique developmental paths aided in some instances by CARICOM initiatives and the continued dialogue was necessary”.
In addressing the topic the BVI Minister spoke to the disaster recovery period after the last hurricane season and the fact that it provided an opportunity to “build back ICT and other infrastructure in a proper way as a result of the devastation”. He also noted that “new ICT opportunities will now be available such as Air BnB”.
Some of the questions which the Ministers responded to included: How ready is the region? Is there a danger of perceived over-regulation in the region? Will this chase investors? What can governments do to help restoration and resilience in the wake of hurricanes? and, Is there a need to reconsider the burden on network operators in the region?
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 125 members in more than 35 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.
