Again, we cannot modernise the service without the use of appropriate technology. Our efforts to date have cost over four million dollars ($4m). My Government intends to support our E-government initiatives. At this point every ministry has the capability to make payments and manage their budget allocation electronically. There is a corporate email and other facilities to enable all public officers to communicate quickly and efficiently and to work on an electronic document from different locations without ever printing the document until it is necessary to do so. We are also, in the process of developing our government website. We still need to introduce systems that will allow persons to file forms electronically and to pay their bills online. The Inland Revenue and Customs Department are targeted for these initiatives. (Source 2005 Budget Statement)

Telecommunications: (Source: Speech outlining Ministry of Communications and Works Strategic Objectives. February 2004)

• Review and upgrade the legislative framework to make it more relevant to the 21st century environment.
• Develop a strategy for liberalizing the telecommunications sector in 2007.
• Establish a telecommunications unit.

The Strategic Objectives for 2003 – 2006 prepared by the Department of Administration clearly outline the policy for the development of ICTs in the country.

e-Government -Information and Communication Technology
The introduction of ICT within the public sector has opened up significant opportunities for:

• the transformation of processes and procedures, modernising the business of government, to enable better service delivery, better procurement of goods and services, and more efficient operations;
• achieving a more "joined up" working between different parts of the public sector;
• providing newer and more efficient and convenient ways for individuals and organisations to communicate with government and to receive services.

• to support the achievement of a professional HR function within government
• to enable Montserrat to take full advantage of opportunities for economic and social development in an information age, and
• to enhance the provision of information and services to Montserratians relocated overseas, to advance the success of initiatives to encourage their return”.
  
  Source: Montserrat Strategic Plan

• Ministry of Communications and Works<.lI>
• Government Information Services

2006 opens a new era for the country and should be a turning point for its Public Policies with the launch of the 3-year Public Management Modernization Project (PMMP) and the National ICT for Development Strategy (ICT4D Guyana). However, with Presidential and Legislative elections taking place in August, it is most likely that these initiatives will only begin to show their full strength by year’s end and from 2007 on.

• DEVNET
• Guyana Development Gateway
• Ministry of Finance. ICT Unit

• Office of the President
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Guyana Government Information Agency
• Ministry of Information
• Bank of Guyana

It also points out that the telecommunications infrastructure is the main impediment to the development of an efficient IT sector. The NDS envisages a huge role for IT in the development of Guyana. It recognizes that IT has a part to play in improving trade performance by improving the efficiency of transactions, increasing market scope (e-commerce) and reducing costs of services, etc. In addition to this, the NDS sees a major role for IT in public sector management (improving efficiency, transparency and accountability), agriculture, health and education sectors among others.
source:ICT 4D Guyana national strategy. Final draft

• Office of the Prime Minister
• Grenada on the Internet

• D-GEN Feasibility Project Highlights - Dominica Specific
• D-GEN is feasible - devoid of any insurmountable technical, legal, administrative, or environmental barriers.
• Implementation of D-GEN could occur over an anticipated 24-month period.
• The anticipated implementation cost of D-GEN is about USD$7.6M which reflects an integrated infrastructure and comprehensive social development strategy.
• Key aspects of technical and developmental trajectories as outlined in the D-GEN feasibility document including:
• Governance/legal framework
• Network configuration and rollout projections
• Economic and financial analysis
• Social development and integration plan
• Gender inclusiveness plan
• Training plan
• Environmental assessment and monitoring plan
• Monitoring and evaluation process

Source: Dominica Academy of Arts and Sciences

• Ministry of Communications. Telecommunications Unit
• National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission

• National Development Corporation

• Treaty establishing the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority
• Telecommunications Act 2000
• International Business Companies (IBC) Act 1996
• Offshore Banking Act 1996
• National Development Corporation Act

• BVI Government Gateway

• automated management systems will be installed in all Government agencies;
• a human resource management information system will be installed in the Ministry responsible for the Public Service;
• the Ministry of Finance will seek to standardize existing systems throughout the Public Service; and
• establish an IT Unit to render operational support as well as enforce policy compliance.”

• Office of the Prime Minister
• Belize Trade & Investment Service(BELTRAIDE)
• Ministry of Energy and Communications

• Using ICT to form creative long-life learning-able citizens.
• A solid regulatory framework for technology.
• A competitive telecommunications environment.
• Elimination of custom duties on ICT related equipment.
• Leadership on adoption of technology by the government.

• Ministry of Tourism
• Barbados Government Information Service
• Barbados E-Commerce
• Data Processing Department
• National Council for Science and Technology (Data gathering)
• Fair Trading Commission
• Central Information Management Agency (Proposed)

Today, my friends, globalisation influences, if not shapes, virtually every facet of our inter-phase with the global markets. It is, therefore, timely for us, as Caribbean people, to rethink our development paths and prospects.