Modern era of business strengthened as Electronic Communications and Transactions Bill passed

Modernisation of the State’s laws to make them responsive to the demands of a 21st century landscape has been complimented with the passage of the Electronic Communications and Transactions Bill in the National Assembly.
The legislation will allow for electronic communication to be recognised by law and, acceptable for business and Government transactions. This means electronic records, communications and signatures are legally effective. It also outlines standards which must be met for legal effectiveness and the role of intermediaries.
Another element speaks to an administrative framework and central certifying authority to register and regulate providers after appropriate vetting.

Such developments will also enhance efficient delivery of governance by public authorities by means of reliable electronic records and electronic filing of documents.
Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister, Oneidge Walrond voiced in the House as she supported the new legislation, “Our thrust for modernisation is total and multi-sectoral. It is not just limited to the Information Technology sector. We are on a thrust to modernise our country in all respects.”
Previously, Government was hindered from fully implementing e-services due to inadequate legal framework and protection, as well as conflicting legal provisions. Now that the framework has been approved, citizens can conduct transactions from the comfort of their homes.
This Bill, along with the Data Protection Bill, puts Guyana in a position to operate effectively in a modern era, the Minister added.
“Our efforts in bringing these Bills in the ICT sector are part and parcel of a comprehensive modernisation and transformational agenda. This agenda is all encompassing and includes the State, the private sector, non-governmental organisations and individual citizens.”
However, penalties can also arise from nonadherence to the law. In fact, any person who gives information that is false or misleading commits an offence and can be fined one million dollars and imprisonment for three years. This penalty also applies for theft or retaining possession of a card; and purchase or sale of an issued bank card, smart card, electronic wallet, token or device or number/data associated with such.
It also takes into consideration other measures to prevent fraud, in keeping with the prevalence of such through electronic means.
Government is moving towards digitalising key services in efforts to erase the bugbear of doing business and transactions.
The Digital Identity Card Bill was also tabled in the National Assembly – a major endeavour to consolidate the biometric data of each citizen into one card that will be used for a host of transactions and services.
A US$35.4 million contract with German-based company, Veridos Identity Solutions, was inked in March. In addition to increasing the ease of doing business, the e-ID card will also allow the Government to monitor migrants in Guyana. It will also have internationally recognised features that will be accepted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) for international travel.
This will tie into the Government’s plans to make Guyana’s airports paperless, using the biometrics from the e-ID card for citizens, as well as efforts to boost local security by expanding the safe city initiative countrywide.
Meanwhile, the Data Protection legislation will govern the use of the e-ID cards and this includes protecting citizens’ personal data. This means any unauthorised use of data will see persons facing hefty fines and a jail term.