BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – ICT experts from around the world will gather at the Marriott Resort and Royal Beach Casino on Tuesday (June 23), as St. Kitts gets ready to host the third strategic planning workshop of the Caribbean Centre for Development Administration (CARICAD).
The meeting is meant to accelerate the development of the 2009 to 2012 Caribbean eGovernment Strategy, which aims to provide a framework for the computerisation of government services throughout the region. When the CSME was initially implemented in January 2006, CARICOM Heads of Government agreed that public sector modernisation was a measure they would undertake to facilitate a smooth transition.
Consultations began in November last year, with the process set to be completed by August. As the lead institution behind strategy development, CARICAD has facilitated several regional meetings during 2009. These were attended by a core group of representatives from CARICOM member states, as well as consultative working teams trained in specific target areas such as Infrastructure, Human Resources, Legal and Regulatory, Public Sector Transformation, Governance and eCommerce.
According to a communiqué issued by the regional think-tank, Tuesday’s workshop will define the strategic initiatives and process for the strategy implementation. CARICAD eGovernment Advisor Adam Montserin and Canadian technology consultant Ramesh Gupta will facilitate the day’s proceedings, while Deputy Prime Minister the Hon. Sam Condor and Chief Personnel Officer Torfrida Rochester will address the delegation of regional public and private sector representatives.
SKNVibes contacted Montserin, who expounded on the reason for St. Kitts being chosen to host such a prestigious event.
“It comes down to two major reasons. First of all, the government of St. Kitts has taken great strides in the areas of eGovernment over the past several years. It has really been dedicated to fulfilling the requirement mandated by the CSME. Therefore, CARICAD thought it would be fitting to reward their efforts by holding the final strategic planning meeting in St. Kitts, because we know they are serious about eGovernment implementation.
“Secondly, the warmth and hospitality so evident within the Kittitian people really made the decision a no-brainer. Due to these factors, and the positive response we have gotten from our first two meetings, CARICAD is confident the workshop will be a success,” said the CARICAD representative.
