The 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 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 Additionally, we cannot deny that increasingly we are living in a digital world. Organisations, and even countries, are trying to capitalise on the opportunities that the broad range of technologies and platforms afford to maximise profits, to become more efficient and increase productivity. Further, the value of information \u2013 for financial gain and to improve decision making \u2013 has become increasingly evident, which is causing intrinsic changes within organisations and across our societies.<\/p>\n On the other hand, we are also grappling with the consequences of living in an increasingly digital and information-driven world. Top of mind examples include, cybercrime and the changes that are occurring in individual attitudes and behaviour, and by extension the very fabric of our societies.<\/p>\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![\"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 news roundup<\/a> was that Dominica was placing considerable \u201cemphasis and importance on supporting the growth of the information communications technology (ICT) sector<\/i>\u201d. This view was expressed by Kelvar Darroux, Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister<\/span>, during the launch of Digital JAM 3.0 \u201cCaribbean Edition\u201d in Dominica, where he also noted<\/p>\n\n
Global trends<\/h3>\n
Caribbean practice to date<\/h3>\n