<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Over the past several weeks there have a number of statements from countries across the Caribbean saying that they are putting an emphasis on ICT. What does that mean? Is it just lip service, or speaks to a transformational agenda?<\/em><\/p>\n
\nThe increasing reliance on information communication technology, as a medium for promoting enhanced business and economic performance has increased significantly in the last few years…<\/em><\/p>\n
(Source: Dominica Vibes<\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
The growing emphasis on ICT by Caribbean countries is not new. Prior to the report from Dominica, in last week\u2019s news roundup<\/a>, Saint Kitts and Nevis indicated that it was creating an Information Society, and the week before<\/a>, the same country had entered into an agreement with Taiwan to facilitate ICT development. Suffice it to say, if we check the news headlines over the past year or two, we would notice regular entries on a Caribbean country\u2019s growing focus on ICT. However, is that position just lip service on a very topical issue, or will it be translated into direct action?<\/p>\n
Global trends<\/h3>\n
Worldwide, ICT has ben recognised as an important driver of economic and social development. Organisations such as McKinsey & Company<\/a>, Booz & Company<\/a> and the World Bank<\/a>, have conducted studies that have found a relationship between broadband penetration and economic growths, specifically the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). For example, the World Bank found that a 10% increase in broadband penetration results in a 1.38% increase in GDP, and this <\/span>relationship was more pronounced in low- and middle-income countries (Source: World Bank<\/a>).<\/p>\n
Caribbean practice to date<\/h3>\n
Currently, countries across the Caribbean are depending on improved telecoms to help them become information and technology-driven societies. Although citizens would benefit from improved services, in many instances governments appear to be focussed on having good telecoms infrastructure in order to secure more foreign direct investment.<\/p>\n
However, as was evident from our Snapshot series<\/a>, which highlights the Caribbean\u2019s state of development across a broad range of indicators, penetration in fixed and mobile broadband is still very low. Key reasons for those results include the still limited network deployment in some countries, but more so the limited take up by consumers, which could be attributed to the still relatively high prices for the services.<\/p>\n
Is it all just lip service?<\/h3>\n
Without a doubt, any intention by Caribbean countries to give more attention to developing their ICT sectors should be welcomed. However, it may not necessarily mean a wholesale or far-reaching transformation is imminent. Many of our countries are strapped financially, and would not be able to fund (directly or through donor agencies) projects critical to grow their ICT sectors. Further, and based on the information in the public domain, many countries do not appear to have specific goals, or a coherent plan through which to realise them.<\/p>\n
In summary, we are likely to see a number of ad hoc ICT-related plans and projects being implemented across the Caribbean, which in and of themselves, will incrementally develop the ICT sector in their respective countries. It therefore means that for the most part, the Caribbean will continue inch along the ICT development path, but may not necessarily be in a position to truly harness all of the cross-cutting benefits that developing countries, in particular, can realise.<\/p>\n
Image credit:\u00a0 Stuart Miles \/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n
____________<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
![\"Megaphones](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/Megaphones-Shows-Announce-Broadcast-Announcing-Or-Loudspeakers-by-Stuart-Miles-FreeDigitalPhotos.net_.jpg?resize=400%2C195\")
Making headlines in our latest