ST.GEORGE’S, Grenada, May 27th 2011 - Grenada’s Prime Minister, Hon. Tillman Thomas, has called on his CARICOM colleagues to urgently focus on the development of a strategy to utilize Information Communications Technology (ICT) “as a driving force for regional growth.”
Speaking to a meeting of Ministers responsible for ICT at The Grenadian by Rex Resorts, in St. George’s this morning, the Prime Minister reflected that “six long years” has passed since Ministers with responsibility for ICT have met.
Mr. Thomas, who is the lead Prime Minister with responsibility for ICT within CARICOM, urged the forum to take a more serious approach to the use of ICT as a developmental tool, that can provide answers to some of the Caribbean’s economic and social issues, including employment.
“While developments in ICT are galloping in some countries in our region, we are still pursuing the adoption of a digital developmental strategy. I sound a word of caution that we stand to lose our best minds to the developed world unless we embrace ICT with commitment and urgency. Our countries have yet to engage ICT as a development tool that should be integrated into our culture and psyche,” the Prime Minister told participants.
His call comes against the backdrop of the identification of ICT by the Timmlan Thomas Administration as one of the pillars of the Grenadian economy for 2011.
“I am therefore concerned that, despite a mandate from the Heads of Government, this meeting is taking place without the benefit of the full participation of all member states, in moving this process forward,” Mr. Thomas declared, adding that ICT has the potential to bring online jobs, reduce wastage and improve productivity in the region.
“ICT plays an essential role in managing change in industry and the service sector – from health to education, from regional development to the protection of our environment and promotion of cultural diversity. The ICT revolution is influencing more and more aspects of life, yet it still does not reach all CARICOM citizens,” he said.
“I say with conviction, that ICT has the potential to level the playing field. ICT has the potential to allow us to compete with the best in the world. ICT has the potential to transform this region; It is up to us to prepare the platform and train our people for these opportunities,” Prime Minister Thomas declared.
The Grenadian leader called for ICT to be “intertwined” in and applied to every facet of the regions development, a decision he says must be “driven” by policy makers. He cautioned that the credibility of the region is at stake if CARICOM does not “seize the opportunity” to take the lead in this sector.
“We must not only start the process but we must have the commitment to bring it to full term and safe delivery. I, therefore, call on all our member states to recommit to this process and I urge each CARICOM member state to embrace ICT fully,” He said.
“I implore us all to drive this regional digital development strategy forward. The future of our people hinges on it….“We are years overdue. Our people cannot afford leadership that is tentative and unstable. We have been talking long enough. It’s now time to act,” he urged.
Grenada was complimented for becoming the first country in the region to establish its own Internet Exchange Point (IXP).
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