Harnessing power of digital technologies requires investments to expand access – PM

Creating a connected Caribbean and harnessing the true power of digital technologies have been limited due to several challenges, but expanding connectivity is needed rapidly to raise the Region on the international platform.
Prime Minister, Retired Brigadier Mark Phillips shared this position as he delivered remarks at the CANTO 39th Annual General Meeting, Conference and Mini Trade Exhibition in Suriname.

Globally, it has been proven that countries with the highest level of competitiveness have highly advanced ICT sectors. The PM said this suggests a direct correlation between ICT and a robust economy.
As such, he said the work and contributions of stakeholders in the ICT industry must be considered critical in the global economy through broadening the reach of technologies such as high-speed internet, mobile broadband, and computing.
“Expanding these technologies fosters growth, and enables greater communication and productivity – and by extension prosperity. Given this indisputable nexus, we are convinced of the essential role that you – the members of CANTO – have to play in our development and that role is not limited to the national level, for the formula for the success that we seek implies the need for investment in ICTs for a connected Caribbean,” Phillips outlined.

Challenges
Prime Minister Phillips acknowledged that among the challenges; countries in the Region face obstacles to digital transformation due to limited access to affordable infrastructure.
“We must, therefore, seek to expand access and connectivity as rapidly as possible in order to harness the power of digital technologies. This will allow us to enable our citizens’ full participation in society and the economy and maximise our countries’ beneficial participation in regional and international markets.”
Governments, he said, will continue to support policy initiatives, such as regulatory harmonisation agreed by the Caricom Heads of Government, examination of the feasibility of regulating Over-the -Top (OTT) providers and initiatives to incentivise the increase of broadband access.
CANTO is a non-profit association made up of operators, organisations, companies and individuals in the telecommunications sector, focusing on ICT issues for the Region.
Prime Minister Phillip shared that the entity has to be considered one of the most important stakeholder groups in regional development and an important part of “corporate Caribbean”.
“This is a conference on technology, but I would say that it is not about technology. Rather it is, or should be, about technology in the service of development. So, while given the very nature of the sector, you will examine highly technical issues, we would all be well served if we remember and ground those discussions in the very fundamental development objectives that I believe confront all of our countries.”
It was underscored that the general thrust of this year’s meeting – the promotion of safe universal connectivity and inclusion, policy frameworks that enable growth and innovation, and a datasphere that is both resilient and secure – resonates with Guyana.
“In Guyana, our Government is committed to the overall well-being and prosperity of our people, as I am sure are the Governments of our sister Caribbean nations. Like them, we seek to create transformational opportunities for our people while fostering a flourishing economic environment. We are cognisant that this vision of prosperity calls for the all-around development of our people through capacity building, access to information and ensuring their safety and security,” the Guyanese PM told stakeholders.
He added that these development objectives are shared by telecommunications operators, who, through the provision of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT), enable people’s economic and social empowerment.
“Our people are in fact your people. They are your employees; they are your strategic partners and they are your customers. We think that you, no less than we, have a vested interest in their social and economic development.” (G12)