By: Staff Writer
July 19, 2022
Even with talks on reducing roaming charges across the Caribbean region, many leaders say a lot more must be done in developing Information Communication Technology at national level of member states.
It was the one area that resonated across sessions held at CANTO’s 37th Annual Conference and Trade Exhibition currently on the way in Miami, Florida.
Leading such a discussion was Prime Minister of Guyana, and minister responsible for the ICT sector within his country, Mark Phillips.
Speaking to member states and major operators in the telecommunications sector within the region gathered at Caribbean Association of National Telecommunications Organisations, CANTO, meeting, Prime Minister Philips says much was needed to be done in bridging the digital gap across the region. He said they held the position to push for digital evolution while assist in addressing the current inequalities faced by member states in having proper internet access.
He noted while his government was working at developing the infrastructure within his own state, much of the current operators and service providers were from outside the region, and urged them to become more invested within its Caribbean territories it operated. Philips said companies needed to look beyond its financial concerns and take up a greater active role in the sustainable development of its countries and communities it derives economic value from, to what he called prioritizing long-term returns emanating from the sustainable, resilient economies.
The event also saw representatives from the Caribbean Development Bank present.
Daniel Best, Director of the Projects Department at the Caribbean Development Bank, CDB, in his contribution to a panel discussion on “Connecting the Unconnected” noted that there was too much of a disconnect between the younger generation and access to technology. He noted while their future depended on their ability and know-how in navigating through technology, and having digital skills for jobs, a vast majority of this demographic within the Caribbean could not be considered, as they did not have access to connectivity and much less devices.
President of the CDB, Dr Gene Leon also addressed the conference and called for the “creation of a unified, secure, and zero digital divide space for the Caribbean to advance trade and business, spur knowledge creation and deepen regional integration”. He went even further to suggest and recommend the possibility of ‘investment in low Earth orbit satellite technology to foster resilient ICT infrastructure’.
This year the event is in-person and comes after a two-year hiatus, hosting the at the Fontainebleau Miami Hotel, from the 17th – 20th July. Theme for the 37th CANTO annual event is titled ‘Enabling the Digital Evolution’, which is said to represent CANTO’s urgency to respond to the needs of the Caribbean Community with a primary focus on Digital Development, Enablement and Improvements that will lead to Digital Transformation and identifying it as a necessity.
The event titled CANTO’s Annual Conference & Trade Exhibition provides a ‘conduit and meeting place for persons and businesses to share their ideas and knowledge to empower the ICT industry’. It comes after much attention was placed on the fight against the COVID-19 virus and the impact it had on all areas of life, including how it thrusted the digitization of economies and other areas of life including but not limited to banking, education, health and commerce.
