{"id":172375,"date":"2025-02-05T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-02-05T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/?p=172375"},"modified":"2025-02-05T06:08:33","modified_gmt":"2025-02-05T11:08:33","slug":"ictp-337-turbocharging-trinidad-and-tobagos-ict-exports-sector-via-dhub-with-devindra-ramnarine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/2025\/02\/ictp-337-turbocharging-trinidad-and-tobagos-ict-exports-sector-via-dhub-with-devindra-ramnarine\/","title":{"rendered":"ICTP 337: Turbocharging Trinidad and Tobago\u2019s ICT exports sector via D\u2019Hub, with Devindra Ramnarine"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In response to the goal of doubling the ICT sector\u2019s contribution to Trinidad and Tobago\u2019s GDP, the Developers Hub, more commonly known as D\u2019Hub, offers training, access to tools, as well as income and networking opportunities to local developers and citizens interested in ICT. With Devindra Ramnarine, a <\/em>Digital Transformation Adviser at the Ministry of Digital Transformation, Trinidad and Tobago, and one of the main architects of D\u2019Hub, we discuss this innovative platform, including, <\/em>the problem D\u2019Hub is trying to solve; the specific government or societal challenges that are being addressed via D\u2019Hub; how D\u2019Hub can be made sustainable; and whether the model can be replicated in other Caribbean or developing countries.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/iframe><div style=\"font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/soundcloud.com\/user-673719274\" title=\"ICT Pulse Podcast\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;\">ICT Pulse Podcast<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"https:\/\/soundcloud.com\/user-673719274\/ictp-337-turbocharging\" title=\"ICTP 337: Turbocharging Trinidad and Tobago\u2019s ICT exports sector via D\u2019Hub, with Devindra Ramnarine\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;\">ICTP 337: Turbocharging Trinidad and Tobago\u2019s ICT exports sector via D\u2019Hub, with Devindra Ramnarine<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\nThis episode is also available on <a href=\"https:\/\/soundcloud.com\/user-673719274\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SoundCloud<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/ict-pulse-podcast\/id1373550291\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Apple Podcasts<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/3d0U4ZYX80e5lenYLdzyX4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Spotify<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/music.amazon.com\/podcasts\/3f727ec1-de7d-416f-8bdc-31d9a911a09e\/ict-pulse-podcast\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Amazon Music<\/a>!!<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe digital transformative nature of ICT has been well-documented. However, realising the desired outcomes \u2013 in an organisation or a country \u2013 can be challenging as it requires a comprehensive strategy, a sustained will and the resources to facilitate implementation over the long term.<\/p>\n\n\n\nLaunched in 2023, the Developers\u2019 Hub (D\u2019Hub) is a key initiative under the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Trinidad and Tobago that fosters the development of innovative, secure, and high-quality software solutions that address the needs of the public sector, citizens, and businesses in Trinidad and Tobago. More importantly, it is a collaborative ecosystem designed to empower local developers with the tools, resources and support needed to drive innovative and digital solutions that can have an impact in Trinidad and Tobago and the rest of the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe D\u2019Hub model is new in the Caribbean region but has been receiving global attention for creating an enabling environment for digital transformation, sustainable development innovation and furthering the continued development of Trinidad and Tobago\u2019s digital economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Introducing our guest<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" data-attachment-id=\"172377\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/2025\/02\/ictp-337-turbocharging-trinidad-and-tobagos-ict-exports-sector-via-dhub-with-devindra-ramnarine\/devindra-ramnarine-first-citizens-bank\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Devindra-Ramnarine-First-Citizens-Bank.jpeg?fit=200%2C200&ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"200,200\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}\" data-image-title=\"Devindra-Ramnarine (First Citizen’s Bank)\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Devindra-Ramnarine-First-Citizens-Bank.jpeg?fit=200%2C200&ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Devindra-Ramnarine-First-Citizens-Bank.jpeg?fit=200%2C200&ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Devindra-Ramnarine-First-Citizens-Bank.jpeg?resize=200%2C200\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-172377\" style=\"width:300px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Devindra-Ramnarine-First-Citizens-Bank.jpeg?w=200&ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Devindra-Ramnarine-First-Citizens-Bank.jpeg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/devindra-ramnarine-89869526\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Devindra Ramnarine<\/a><\/strong> is a digital transformation consultant with over 30 years of experience in digital technology, digital government and ICT-enabled transformation across the Caribbean region. He is currently the Digital Transformation Adviser (Innovation and Implementation) at the Ministry of Digital Transformation, Trinidad and Tobago, where he provides strategic advice, technical architectural support, and project management services.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDevindra has been responsible for establishing the <a href=\"http:\/\/dhub.mdt.gov.tt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Developer\u2019s Hub (D\u2019Hub)\">Developer\u2019s Hub (D\u2019Hub)<\/a><\/strong>, an initiative of the Ministry of Digital Transformation driven by the Ministry of Finance\u2019s directive to increase the contribution of the ICT sector to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The programme has been strengthening the local software developer community with the goal of creating revenue-earning software development export capability. D\u2019Hub was the proud recipient of the Inter-American Development Bank\u2019s 2023 President’s Award for Service Excellence and Innovation (Pr.AISE) Award for Innovation in the Public Service, and it was recently awarded the 2024 World Summit on the Information Society \u201cChampion\u201d Prize for creating a supportive environment for sustainable development through digital means.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Insights into our conversation<\/h2>\n\n\n\nIt is not often that a Caribbean government launches a comprehensive and long-term initiative to foster digital innovation and entrepreneurship. We have seen code sprints and grants programmes come and go without having any significant or sustained impact. However, when D\u2019Hub was announced, it seemed to want to tackle digital innovation and entrepreneurship from different fronts, including skills development, skills application to solve real-world problems, mentoring and business development.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDevindra, as one of the architects of D\u2019Hub, offers tremendous insight into its inner workings and some of its achievements to date. Below are key questions posed during the course of our conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>How did D\u2019Hub come about?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What is the problem D\u2019Hub is trying to solve?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How is D\u2019Hub structured?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What has D\u2019Hub been achieved to date?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What are the specific government or societal challenges the selected developers are trying to address?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Were there gaps or deficiencies that emerged that required the D\u2019Hub model to be adjusted?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How could the D\u2019Hub model be replicated in other Caribbean countries?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Where would you like to see D\u2019Hub in the next 3 to 5 years?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\nWe would love to hear your thoughts!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nDo leave us a comment either here beneath this article, or on our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ICTPulse\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Facebook<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/ict-pulse-consulting-limited\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">LinkedIn<\/a> pages, or via Twitter, <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ICTPulse\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">@ICTPulse<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nAlso, if you or a member of your network is interested in joining us for an episode, <\/em><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/fgd.dfv.mybluehost.me\/.website_c81a1e61\/contact\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">do get in touch<\/em><\/strong><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nLet\u2019s make it happen!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Select links<\/h2>\n\n\n\nBelow are links to some of the organisations and resources that either were mentioned during the episode, or otherwise, might be useful:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/devindra-ramnarine-89869526\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Devindra Ramnarine<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dhub.mdt.gov.tt\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Developers Hub<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/mdt.gov.tt\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Ministry of Digital Transf<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/mdt.gov.tt\/\">ormation<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/e-estonia.com\/solutions\/x-road-interoperability-services\/x-road\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">X-Road \u2013 interoperability services<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/x-road.global\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">X-Road\u00ae<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\nImages credit:  <a href=\"https:\/\/technewstt.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">TechNewsTT<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.firstcitizensgroup.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">First Caribbean Bank (Trinidad and Tobago)<\/a>;  <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Flag-map_of_Trinidad_and_Tobago.svg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Wikimedia Commons<\/a>; creativeart (<a href=\"http:\/\/freepik.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Freepik<\/a>); DilokaStudio (<a href=\"http:\/\/freepik.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Freepik<\/a>);  <a href=\"https:\/\/dhub.mdt.gov.tt\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Ministry of Digital Transformation (Trinidad and Tobago)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nMusic credit: The Last Word (Oui Ma Ch\u00e9rie), by Andy Narrell<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nPodcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"In response to the goal of doubling the ICT sector\u2019s contribution to Trinidad and Tobago\u2019s GDP, the Developers Hub, more commonly known as D\u2019Hub, offers training, access to tools, as well as income and networking opportunities to local developers and citizens interested in ICT. With Devindra Ramnarine, a Digital Transformation Adviser at the Ministry of Digital Transformation, Trinidad and Tobago, and one of the main architects of D\u2019Hub, we discuss this innovative platform, including, the problem D\u2019Hub is trying to solve; the specific government or societal challenges that are being addressed via D\u2019Hub; how D\u2019Hub can be made sustainable; and whether the model can be replicated in other Caribbean or developing countries.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":172379,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_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":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[355],"tags":[71,305,330,205,204],"class_list":["post-172375","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-podcast","tag-businesses","tag-digital-economy","tag-digital-transformation","tag-entrepreneurship-2","tag-innovation-2","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Featured-Image-DHub-Trinidad-and-Tobago-Devindra-Ramnarine.jpg?fit=1024%2C576&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2iE1G-IQf","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/172375","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=172375"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/172375\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":172384,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/172375\/revisions\/172384"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/172379"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=172375"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=172375"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=172375"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}