Caricom Officials Agree ‘Aggressive’ ICT Development Strategy

by Amanda Banks, Tax-News.com, London

19 October 2004

Government officials from Caricom member states concluded a meeting in Barbados last week where it was agreed that members should commit to an “aggressive and focused” strategy to accelerate the development of information technology across the region.

The strategy calls on Caricom to adopt a fresh approach to ICT policy and regulation, capacity building, research and innovation, and to ensure more support is forthcoming for publicly-funded ICT programmes.

The representatives also agreed to work towards the development of low-cost, high bandwidth internet access throughout the region.

The strategy urges national and regional organisations in Caricom Member States to prepare "with the utmost emergency" projects relating to disaster preparedness, Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) trade facilitation, skill development and entrepreneurship, e-government projects and wireless access connectivity projects.

The members have approved an ICT action plan which will result in specific actions undertaken immediately with additional targets due to be met by the third quarter of 2005.

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