Antigua And Barbuda To Lobby CARICOM For ICT Funding

by Amanda Banks, Tax-News.com, London

17 May 2007

A Regional ICT Steering Committee is being inaugurated this week at the CARICOM Secretariat in Georgetown, Guyana, and the government of Antigua and Barbuda has said that it will use the forum to lobby the Secretariat for support for Antigua and Barbuda's digital agenda.

Minister of State with responsibility for Information, Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Dr. Edmond Mansoor says that Antigua and Barbuda's representation at the inaugural meeting is timely as it will pave the way for his country's participation in the development of the Caribbean Information Society (CARIB-IS).

According to Minister Mansoor, the CARICOM Secretariat has received EUR2 million under the 9th European Development Fund for the implementation of a project which will aid the development of the Caribbean Information Society. The formation and work of the Regional ICT Steering Committee are integral parts of the project.

Minister Mansoor, who will be representing Antigua and Barbuda at the meeting, says that while Antigua and Barbuda remains as a front runner in the deployment of technology within the operations of Government and at the community level, the Country's voice must be heard at a regional level, particularly with regards to the terms of reference and method of work of the Regional ICT Steering Committee.

The Regional ICT Steering Committee will function as a regional “think tank” to consider Information Society and ICT issues and will serve as an advisory body to the CARICOM Secretariat. The steering committee's work will be facilitated through sub-committees in connectivity, internet governance, public education and communications.

While in Georgetown, Minister Mansoor will also be evaluating the proposals for the allocation to Antigua and Barbuda of the funding from the European Development Fund.

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