{"id":150345,"date":"2019-09-04T05:55:03","date_gmt":"2019-09-04T10:55:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ict-pulse.com\/?p=150345"},"modified":"2019-09-04T05:57:21","modified_gmt":"2019-09-04T10:57:21","slug":"ictp-071-realising-digital-transformation-caribbean-countries-dr-justin-ram-caribbean-development-bank","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/2019\/09\/ictp-071-realising-digital-transformation-caribbean-countries-dr-justin-ram-caribbean-development-bank\/","title":{"rendered":"ICTP 071:  Realising the digital transformation of Caribbean countries, with Dr Justin Ram, of the Caribbean Development Bank"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>Over the past several months, \u2018digital transformation\u2019 has become the buzzwords of many policymakers across the Caribbean region, but it is not always clear whether the term is understood, and more importantly, whether there is a cogent and coherent strategy to achieve it. Dr Justin Ram, of the Caribbean Development Bank, discusses the states of digital transformation in the region, and crucial elements that must be addressed to take us where we would like to be.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/w.soundcloud.com\/player\/?url=https%3A\/\/api.soundcloud.com\/tracks\/676074458&amp;color=%23ff5500&amp;auto_play=false&amp;hide_related=false&amp;show_comments=true&amp;show_user=true&amp;show_reposts=false&amp;show_teaser=true\" width=\"100%\" height=\"166\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>This episode is also available in\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/ict-pulse-podcast\/id1373550291\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Apple iTunes<\/a>\u00a0and on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.stitcher.com\/podcast\/ict-pulse-podcast?refid=stpr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Stitcher<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If there is anything we are likely to agree upon, it is that digital transformation within an organisation is completely different from that undertaken by a country. Although in very broad terms there might be similarities in the process, the actual elements, along with the scale, scope and complexity, are considerably greater when a country-level transformation is to be executed.<\/p>\n<p>In the Caribbean region, some countries have ICT or broadband plans and strategies, whilst others have been focussing on electronic (e-) government and public sector transformation. However, it can be argued these elements, whilst important, still suggest a piecemeal and siloed approach to integrate ICTs throughout our societies . A better approach would be to develop a more wholistic construct, since at this juncture in the digital age, what we are all hoping for is the far-reaching transformation of our countries to digital societies.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.caribank.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Caribbean Development Bank (CDB)<\/a> has also been one of the leading advocates for digital transformation by Caribbean countries, and this past June, it was one of the main themes of its Annual Governors\u2019 Meeting, which was held in Trinidad and Tobago. To coincide with that meeting, the Bank released a discussion paper, <em>Digital for Caribbean Development<\/em>, that set out preliminary findings and views on the topic, along with key recommendations its Borrowing Member Countries could consider.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_150353\" style=\"width: 370px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-150353\" data-attachment-id=\"150353\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/2019\/09\/ictp-071-realising-digital-transformation-caribbean-countries-dr-justin-ram-caribbean-development-bank\/dr-justin-ram-cdb\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Dr-Justin-Ram-CDB.jpg?fit=401%2C437&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"401,437\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Dr-Justin-Ram (CDB)\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Dr Justin Ram&lt;br \/&gt;\nCaribbean Development Bank&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Dr-Justin-Ram-CDB.jpg?fit=275%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Dr-Justin-Ram-CDB.jpg?fit=401%2C437&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-150353\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/fgd.dfv.mybluehost.me\/.website_c81a1e61\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Dr-Justin-Ram-CDB.jpg?resize=360%2C392&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"360\" height=\"392\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Dr-Justin-Ram-CDB.jpg?w=401&amp;ssl=1 401w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Dr-Justin-Ram-CDB.jpg?resize=275%2C300&amp;ssl=1 275w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Dr-Justin-Ram-CDB.jpg?resize=400%2C437&amp;ssl=1 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-150353\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dr Justin Ram<br \/>Caribbean Development Bank<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Hence, having examined what <a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/30tERC2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">digital transformation within an organisation<\/a> might entail, in our recent conversation with Julio Lima and Carlyle Assue, of the CDB, we are now turning our attention to the digital transformation of Caribbean countries. Our guest on this episode is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.caribank.org\/publications-and-resources\/resource-library\/bios\/dr-justin-ram-director-economics-cdb\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dr Justin Ram<\/a>, Director of Economics of the CDB.<\/p>\n<p>Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Ram, is an experienced economist, who has worked in both the public and private sectors, both here in the Caribbean region and internationally. However, cognisant of how critical ICTs are, and can be, in driving the region\u2019s economy, Dr Ram is also leading the charge by the Bank with respect to getting Caribbean countries to up their digital transformation game.<\/p>\n<p>In our discussion with Dr Ram, we sought to understand where the region is, with respect to the achieving digital transformation; where we might wish to be; and how we might get there, Hence, some of the questions we posed to Dr Ram included the following:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>What does the CDB do and what is the scope of its work?<\/li>\n<li>What does the term \u2018digital transformation\u2019 of a country mean?<\/li>\n<li>What is the state of digital transformation across the Caribbean region?<\/li>\n<li>What was the impetus for the CDB to prepare the preparing discussion paper, <em>Digital for Caribbean Development<\/em>?<\/li>\n<li>What were some of the key findings, and recommendations highlighted in the discussion paper?<\/li>\n<li>What is holding the Caribbean region back from being more fully on the digital transformation path?<\/li>\n<li>Are there any specific initiatives or activities that the CDB is currently supporting with regard to fostering ICT development in the region?<\/li>\n<li>Are there any specific initiatives or activities of the CDB that directly support the individuals (as opposed to governments and the private sector) with regard to fostering ICT development in the region?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>We would love to hear your thoughts!<\/p>\n<p>Do leave us a comment either here beneath this article, or on our <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ICTPulse\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Facebook<\/a> <\/strong>or <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/ict-pulse-consulting-limited\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">LinkedIn<\/a><\/strong> pages, or via Twitter, <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ICTPulse\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>@<\/strong>ICTPulse.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>Select links<\/h3>\n<p>Below are links to some of the organisations and resources that either were mentioned during the episode, or otherwise, might be useful:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.caribank.org\/publications-and-resources\/resource-library\/bios\/dr-justin-ram-director-economics-cdb\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dr Justin Ram<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.caribank.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Caribbean Development Bank<\/a><\/li>\n<li>CDB presentation, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.caribank.org\/publications-and-resources\/resource-library\/presentations\/presentation-transforming-digital-society\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Transforming to a Digital Society<\/a> <\/em><\/li>\n<li>CDB video, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.caribank.org\/publications-and-resources\/resource-library\/video\/video-digital-caribbean-transforming-region-icts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">A Digital Caribbean- Transforming the Region with ICTs<\/a><\/li>\n<li>ICT Pulse Podcast Interview, <em><a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/30tERC2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ICTP 064: The keys to successful digital transformation in organisations, with Julio Lima and Carlyle Assue of the Caribbean Development Bank<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<li>Survey, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.surveymonkey.com\/r\/DigitalForm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Digital Transformation in the Caribbean<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<li>Financial Times article, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/38967766-aec8-11e9-8030-530adfa879c2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Russia\u2019s role in producing the taxman of the future<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.ctu.int\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Caribbean Telecommunications Union<\/a><\/li>\n<li>ICT Pulse Podcast Interview, <em><a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/2QeLqYi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ICTP 034: Realising 21st Century Government in the Caribbean, with Bernadette Lewis of the CTU<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<li>CTU video:\u00a0<em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=aMvl7CyKYPc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">21<sup>st<\/sup>Century Government<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/products.office.com\/en-us\/microsoft-teams\/group-chat-software\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Microsoft Teams<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/techbeach.net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tech Beach<\/a><\/li>\n<li>CDB article, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.caribank.org\/newsroom\/news-and-events\/cdb-advances-digital-transformation-digicel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">CDB advances digital transformation with Digicel<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<li>CDB article, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.caribank.org\/newsroom\/news-and-events\/digital-transformation-strengthened-private-sector-green-growth-needed-prosperous-and-sustainable\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Digital transformation, strengthened private sector, green growth needed for prosperous and sustainable Caribbean Region, CDB President says<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<li>CDB article, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.caribank.org\/newsroom\/news-and-events\/cdb-president-calls-upon-caribbean-countries-speed-transformation-prosperous-socially-just-globally\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">CDB President calls upon Caribbean countries to speed up transformation for a prosperous, socially just, globally competitive Region<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>Image credits:\u00a0 Gerd Altmann (<a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Pixabay<\/a>); CDB<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Music credit:\u00a0 Ray Holman<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Over the past several months, \u2018digital transformation\u2019 has become the buzzwords of many policymakers across the Caribbean region, but it is not always clear whether the term is understood, and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":150350,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[355],"tags":[305,330,32,204,357,15],"class_list":["post-150345","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-podcast","tag-digital-economy","tag-digital-transformation","tag-information-society","tag-innovation-2","tag-interviews","tag-trends","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Artificial-intelligence-digital-circuit-board-head-brain-Gerd-AltmannPixabay-.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2iE1G-D6V","jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/150345","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=150345"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/150345\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":150361,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/150345\/revisions\/150361"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/150350"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=150345"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=150345"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=150345"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}