We have all heard the term ‘digital economy’ and that countries worldwide are trying to find ways to foster its development. However, what does it mean if a country has a digital economy? In our conversation with Chelceé Brathwaite and Yacine Khelladi, we start to tackle that very question, along with: the anticipated impact or value of having a digital economy; the implications of digital skills, digital literacy and digital inclusion; and key challenges to Caribbean countries in more fully realising their digital economies.

 

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Over the past decade in particular, the term ‘digital economy’ has become a critical component as countries worldwide continue to leverage the internet to increase productivity, competitiveness, reduce costs and foster innovation. Initially, and around 15 years, information and data were considered the ‘new oil’, and so the focus was on countries transitioning to ‘Information Societies’. Today, the value of data and information is a given, and as a result, the emphasis has shifted to money, and essentially, the framework and value system upon which our economies are based.

Having said this, the world is still in the early days of digital economies, and more so, the Caribbean region. However, and although the term is used frequently, it is unclear whether we truly know what it means, and consequently, whether we will know when we have achieved it.

It is through this lens that we thought it prudent to begin a conversation on the Caribbean digital economy, and  so set the foundation to continue to explore the issue as it continues to unfold.

In the Caribbean region, the concept of a digital economy may be more complex than in other parts of the world. Most countries only need to focus on developing their individual digital economy, but we in the Caribbean, also have a regional construct to consider. Many of our countries are part of regional groupings, such as the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), which are also likely to have an impact on how our private and public sectors evolve.

 

Introducing our guests

Chelceé Brathwaite

Chelceé Brathwaite is currently a Trade Researcher at the Shridath Ramphal Centre for International Trade Law, Policy and Services, at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus. She has conducted research on e-commerce and digital trade, web3 developments and their potential to enable trade in the orange economy, and innovation and industrial policy, among other areas. She was also a part-time lecturer for the graduate course e-Commerce and the New International Economy, and has worked as a technical researcher on several consultancies. 

Chelceé is passionate about the development of her country and region, and remains motivated by the desire to see Caribbean islands take advantage of these new opportunities to build economic resilience and support sustainable development.

 

Yacine Khelladi

Yacine Khelladi is an International Consultant, and an Economist, who specialises in ICT, Social and Human Development, ICT National Policies and Strategies, Project Monitoring and Evaluation, to name just a few areas. He is also the moderator of the Caribbean ICT stakeholders Virtual Community (CIVIC), an online platform for sharing information, ideas and projects on ICT and ICT-related developments in the Caribbean.

Yacine is also the Founder of Fundación Taigüey, a non-governmental organisation that engages in grassroots community development, empowerment through the strategic use of ICTs, and knowledge networking. He has been based in the Dominican Republic for over 20 years.

 

 

Insights into our conversation

Although we are in the early stages of understanding what a digital economy is, how it works, what might be the benefit to consumers, etc., one conversation is not enough in which to unpack it all. For example, with borders becoming more porous, the traditional methods of measuring economic impact are likely to be limited, and will need to evolve in terms of, among other things, the methodology and metrics that are measured, along with the value system attached to this emerging framework.

One of the concerns expressed during this discussion is that the digital economy should not just replace the traditional framework without improvement, especially as it relates the digital divide. Without proper intervention, the challenges that currently exist with respect to digital inclusion will persist, and will result in people being more marginalised and disadvantaged.

Below are some of the questions posed to Chelceé and Yacine during our conversation.

  1. What does the term ‘digital economy’ mean?
  2. What is the anticipated impact or value that can be realised by countries having a digital economy?
  3. What might be some of the implications of digital skills, digital literacy and digital inclusion are we transition to a more digital economy?
  4. How might countries having a digital economy shape the Caribbean region, i.e., from a regional perspective?
  5. A lot of the digital tools and platforms that we use in the region originate and/or are hosted outside of the reign. How might that affect how digital economies in the region evolve?
  6. What are key challenges to Caribbean countries more fully realising their digital economies?
  7. What are the priorities Caribbean countries and/or the region should be focussing on to more fully develop their digital economies?

 

We would love to hear from you!

Do leave us a comment either here beneath this article, or on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages, or via Twitter, @ICTPulse.

Also, if you or a member of your network is interested in joining us for an episode, do get in touch.

Let’s make it happen!

 

Below are links to some of the organisations and resources that either were mentioned during the episode, or otherwise, might be useful:

 

 

Images credit: C Brathwaite;  Y Khelladi;  Gerd Altmann (Pixabay); Gerd Altmann (Pixabay)

Music credit: The Last Word (Oui Ma Chérie), by Andy Narrell

Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez