By Rodney Browne
A country’s most precious asset is its people, and no effort should be spared to aid in the development of that asset.
When Kim Collins became World Champion in 2003, I was as excited and beaming with pride as I imagine all other Kittitians & Nevisians were. I was probably not as surprised as most, however.
Not that I had some inside information about Kim, or possessed the ability to see the future…no, when Kim flashed across the finish line in what many considered to be an upset, I concluded quite differently.
You see- well, after calming down anyway- I reflected soberly, thinking to myself, WHY NOT?
Sure, we are a small country and may not have half the resources that other more developed countries possess, but a “chance” starts with a realization followed swiftly by effort and execution. A really “good chance” is all of that PLUS a support system and environment that promotes positive growth.
Now my commentary is not to proclaim that Kittitians and Nevisians are better than anyone else, it is simply to highlight that we are no less. And neither is it about sports.
Thirteen years ago, in 1997, our country was host to the most dynamic Information Communications Technology (ICT) team ever assembled in St. Kitts and Nevis, and (if I may be so bold to say) arguably one of the most dynamic ever in the Caribbean. This small company with a staff of 12 was developing gaming and online payment software from the ground up and competing with companies across the world. Before Globalization became a catch phrase, this company lived it every day. FOURTEEN YEARS AGO. The name of the company was Carib FX. Founded by Mr. Tim Mallilieau.
Most impressive about Carib FX was that it was made up almost entirely of locals, with the sole exception of one person being from Trinidad & Tobago. The staff hailed from St. Pauls, Cayon, East, West, Central Basseterre, personnel with degrees and personnel without…almost all below the age of 30. A young vibrant diversified group with a common goal. “WE CAN DO IT”.
I was quite fortunate to have been employed with Carib FX, the experience exposed me to a totally new world and a realization that we could compete with anyone, and the fact I was born and raised in a small developing country was of no significance.
Over the past decade St. Kitts & Nevis has produced a number of online firsts:
- First Online Greeting Card system for the Caribbean market.
- First Caribbean Social network. Which it so happens was launched the same year as facebook.
Just to name a few. There is absolutely no reason, why 14 years later we do not have a slew of IT companies producing applications and projects competing on the global market. We can do it, but there has to be an environment that supports innovation, especially when the source is “local”.
The support would have to come from both the public and private sectors if there is to be a fair chance of success. And while training and other technical assistance are welcomed, and are important, funding is the major gap that needs to be filled and is necessary for fueling innovation beyond the conceptual stage.
To this end, I propose the following:
That an eFund of some sort be created with the sole purpose of financially supporting innovative projects in ICT. The nature of this fund would be investment based, so that it holds some minority ownership or equity in the projects it finances. This would ensure that over time the fund is self sustainable.
Where would this money come from?
One idea is for the government to allow some percentage of revenue generated from the economic citizenship program to be allocated to this fund.
Another option which is not mutually exclusive of the first is that our own local business community contributes to the fund, where the government provides some incentive, maybe a tax write off, or some other relaxed taxation measure to encourage participation.
An investment such as this into our human resource would reap benefits on various levels:
- An environment of innovation and creative development would be nurtured
- Our youth would have real life case studies that they can refer to as evidence of what we can achieve, thereby enhancing self-confidence in our young people..
- more progressive job opportunities for our residents
- Great potential for significant revenue to the government via tax collection
- Addition to foreign trade and service export
- Re-emergence of a vibrant ICT sector and further diversifying our economy
- A brain influx instead of drain (As we attract and encourage qualified entities from the Diaspora to return to St. Kitts and Nevis to make a contribution while being able to sustain themselves and their families.
It is not too late for St. Kitts & Nevis to assume its place as a major player in ICT.
We must afford our people the resource and opportunities to realise their full potential, so they too can ascend to the level of a Kim Collins, A World Champion....and WHY NOT? – WE CAN DO IT.
