A roundup of the latest ICT\/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 21 December to Sunday 27 December 2020.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Monday, 21 December 2020<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Web Shops Urge Patron Tax Delay<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 Web shops are urging the Government to reconsider the New Year’s Day introduction of the long-awaited patron winnings tax due to the “additional burden” it will impose on COVID-hit consumers\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Online Guyana creates virtual marketplace for local businesses<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 Online Guyana, a new e-commerce company, has created a virtual marketplace where local businesses can sell their products\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ADVERTORIAL | C&W Business Jamaica – Enabling Gov’t, Industry COVID Responses<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 ICT solutions provider, C&W Business Jamaica continues to enable the response to the pandemic for Government and businesses across Jamaica\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doug Halsall | Technology Improving Workflow In Healthcare<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013  In any organisation, large or small, how quickly and efficiently departments can communicate with each other can directly impact how well that organisation performs. Already, we rely a lot on technology to operate businesses and to get work done but largely this is treated as a \u2018matter of fact\u2019 phenomenon\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tuesday, 22 December 2020<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Minister of State for Finance: It Will Become Easier to Interact with Government because of its Focus on Digitization<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance Sen. the Hon. J. Kwasi Thompson stated that it will become easier to interact with the Government because of its focus on Digitization\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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National Bank of Belize to launch digital wallet in 2021<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Belize <\/em>\u2013 \u0422h\u0435 N\u0430t\u0456\u043en\u0430l \u0412\u0430nk \u043ef \u0412\u0435l\u0456z\u0435 L\u0456m\u0456t\u0435d (N\u0412\u0412) h\u0430\u0455 \u0435nt\u0435r\u0435d \u0456nt\u043e \u0430 \u0440\u0430rtn\u0435r\u0455h\u0456\u0440 w\u0456th th\u0435 f\u0456n\u0430n\u0441\u0456\u0430l t\u0435\u0441hn\u043el\u043eg\u0443 \u0441\u043em\u0440\u0430n\u0443, \u0412\u0456tt, t\u043e \u0430dd \u0430n \u0435W\u0430ll\u0435t t\u043e \u0456t\u0455 \u0435\u0445\u0456\u0455t\u0456ng m\u043eb\u0456l\u0435 b\u0430nk\u0456ng \u0455\u0435rv\u0456\u0441\u0435\u0455\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GPL submarine cable fixed<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 Prime Minister Brigadier (ret\u2019d) Mark Phillips was satisfied, Tuesday afternoon, after inspecting the repairs done to the Guyana Power and Light\u2019s (GPL) recently damaged 69kV submarine cable\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One Laptop Per Family initiative to be re-introduced in 2021\u2014President Ali<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 President Irfaan Ali has announced the re-introduction of the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) initiative\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CAC Encouraging Greater Use Of Its Mobile App<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) is encouraging more Jamaicans to make use of its mobile application (app) in order to find the best prices for goods and services\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digitalisation Proves Its Immense Value To Shipping<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 The digital revolution is transforming the world. Data is being generated, shared, stored, and analysed in amounts, and at speeds, that are increasing exponentially every year. Today, the data we create, access, and control is having an increasing impact both on how we live and on how industry performs\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gov\u2019t Gets Donation Of Fibre-Optic Cable To Boost Broadband Connectivity<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 The Government has received a donation of 650 kilometres of fibre-optic cable from local cable television providers and the island\u2019s two major toll road operators to help improve the nation\u2019s broadband connectivity\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Government Receives 650 Kilometres Of Fibre-Optic Cable<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Government has received a donation of 650 kilometres of fibre-optic cable from local cable television providers and the island\u2019s two major toll road operators, to help improve the nation\u2019s broadband connectivity\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

TAJ Mobile Application Goes Live<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) in collaboration with eGov Jamaica Limited has developed the Tax Authority\u2019s first mobile application \u2013 TAJ Mobile, adding yet another convenient and secure payment option to its suite of online services\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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PM’s push for digitisation, but he has never used an ATM<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 This is the final part of a conversation with the Prime Minister. Parts one and two were published on December 20 and 21\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The journey to digital transformation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 Digital transformation, innovation, economic diversification, an enabling environment and entrepreneurship are words and phrases we have heard in the Caribbean for many years, yet we have not heard of the strategic tools that will help us create, manage and build these frameworks and systems\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Wednesday, 23 December 2020<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Digital Campaign Boosts Retailer’s Sales By 400%<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 A Bahamian retailer increased sales by 400 percent through its alliance with an electronic provider who distributed digital coupons to customers via its App\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GPL\u2019s submarine cable repaired to the tune of $100M<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret\u2019d) Mark Phillips, was satisfied yesterday afternoon, after inspecting the repairs done to the Guyana Power and Light\u2019s (GPL) recently damaged 69kV submarine cable\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICreate Hunts Fresh Cash To Recapitalise<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 It\u2019s been a rocky ride for listed training institute iCreate. On top of carrying sizeable accumulated losses that have grown over the past two years, the company has seen a dramatic revenue slide from $24.5 million in its first quarter this year to just shy of $8 million for its third quarter to September, although it managed to eclipse nine months income for last year by $6 million\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile EDGE Solutions launches GetPAID App to facilitate 48-hour local e-commerce payouts<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 LOCAL tech firm Mobile EDGE Solutions (MES) recently launched a robust and customisable online platform aimed at providing faster payouts to Jamaican-dollar (JMD) bank accounts and to facilitate the rapid digital transformation of businesses via e-commerce\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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CTU MINISTERS HONOUR FORMER CTU SG<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Regional <\/em>\u2013  At a Special Meeting of the General Conference of Ministers of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) on 21st December 2020, Ministers and many invited guests took the opportunity pay tribute to a true Caribbean stalwart, Ms. Bernadette Lewis, who held the position of Secretary General for seventeen years\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enterprise computing: The right culture needed<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Regional \u2013 We hear it over and over: people are our most important asset, the people on the team are to be credited with the success of the project. But a critical part of the formula is the culture \u2014 the \u201chow we do things around here\u201d way\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Thursday, 24 December 2020<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cable Plans TV ‘Repackage’ To Counter Streaming Rivals<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 Cable Bahamas is planning a 2021 adjustment to its TV channel packages to better reflect consumer demands and enhance its competitiveness against rival video streaming services\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deal Signed To Digitise All Court Documents<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas<\/em> \u2013 THE government signed a contract valued under $480,000 with the firm ZCOM yesterday to implement a digitisation and migration system for all paper-based court documents within the judiciary\u2026 more<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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URCA seeking to reduce operating budget in 2021<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 Due to governmental budgetary cuts, the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) is seeking to decrease its operating budget for 2021 by approximately 5 percent compared to 2020, via a 98 percent cut in travel expenses\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GTT donates to \u2018Computers for Guyana\u2019 project<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 An additional three dozen children in vulnerable communities are now able to access online learning following a GTT donation\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr Andrew O. Wheatley | Culture And Wi-Fi In Daily Life<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 Today it seems almost impossible to live without your TV, mobile phone, and computer\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flow connects customers with special tablet offer<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago<\/em> \u2013 One positive lesson that has come out this global pandemic, is the ability to adapt to the present environment. In this case, technology has become the platform for everyday living\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Friday, 25 December 2020<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The digitization of the Bahamas in 2021 \u2013 New investment opportunities for the Bahamas<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 The Bahamas are implementing a more digital approach to their governmental services as at least five government services will become available to citizens online including the renewal of driver\u2019s licenses and the ability to obtain copies of birth certificates and marriage certificates\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flow offers fixed, mobile packages in Christmas promotion<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 COMMUNICATIONS and entertainment provider Flow Jamaica says it has unveiled a suite of affordable bundle packages in its Christmas promotion campaign, which runs until December 31\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Saturday, 26 December 2020<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u2013 Nil \u2013 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sunday, 27 December 2020<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

More than just internet: Harnessing the digital economy to rethink the future in Haiti<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Haiti<\/em> \u2013 The COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis have highlighted the importance of internet connectivity and digital skills… more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Image credits: Mars Hill Church<\/a> (flickr); Wikipedia<\/a>; National Bank of Belize<\/a>; Wikipedia<\/a>; Facebook<\/a>; Bahamas Weekly<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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