BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Barbados Monday urged the Caribbean to fully use digital technology to build more robust and diversified economies that can better weather future and present global challenges.
Senior Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, William F. Duguid, said small island developing states (SIDS) face many challenges, necessitating that they continue to diversify their economies for sustainable growth and development that would redound to the benefit of their citizens.
“ For too long, we have depended on too few industries, including tourism and manufacturing, to sustain our economies,” he said as he delivered the feature address at the opening of the “The Global Government Forum’s Caribbean Digital Summit and the Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) Week 2023”.
Duguid told the audience that SIDS, including Barbados, are faced with unsustainable high levels of debt, which significantly constrain growth and development, and that there are high levels of unemployment and underemployment in the region.
“As SIDS, we are naturally prone to disasters and increasingly frequent and severe weather events worsening by climate change. Wars, supply chain issues, various health outbreaks, and oil price changes serve to aggravate further the challenges the region faces.
“The COVID-19 Pandemic tested the resilience of economies in the Caribbean. Like many other parts of the world, Barbados and the broader Caribbean region faced significant economic and otherwise challenges during the pandemic.
“This underscored the importance of diversification, digital transformation, and sustainability for the region’s future economic well-being. It forced us into the digital age, and many countries globally are using this experience to build more robust and diversified economies that can better weather future challenges. So must we in this region,” Dugid said.
The weeklong activities are being held under the theme “Embracing a Digital Caribbean: Opportunities for Growth and Innovation,” and Dugid said the two events will allow “us to celebrate our shared commitment to harness the incredible potential of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to the benefit of our Caribbean economies.”
He said the events, being hosted by the Global Governance Forum (GGF) and the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), underscore “the transformative power of technology to elevate our region, drive economic growth, and foster innovation across diverse sectors.
“The development of ICT in our region can greatly assist us with the challenges we face as small island developing states,” he added.
Duguid said that digitization could drive regional economies forward and transform them. “We need to upscale our digital technologies, which will present us with a host of opportunities to help us strengthen and diversify our economies.
“Embracing digital transformation, that is, the integration of digital technologies into various aspects of society, including businesses, government, education, and healthcare, like in many other countries, can have a significant positive impact and enable growth and economic development in the Caribbean.”
He said that in a rapidly evolving digital age, ICTs are no longer a choice but an imperative.
“The Caribbean region is ready for this change, and there are compelling reasons why digital transformation must be at the forefront of our regional agenda. Economic prosperity, inclusive development, sustainability and resilience, and global competitiveness are just a few reasons why we need a digital transformation of our region.”
Duguid said that the Caribbean’s potential for economic growth through digital transformation is boundless and that “by investing in digital infrastructure, fostering innovation, and supporting entrepreneurship, we open doors to new industries, attract investments, and create jobs.
“Every citizen of the Caribbean deserves to reap the benefits of digital progress. Our diversity is our strength, and by bridging the digital divide, we can ensure that ICTs uplift every community, fostering social inclusion and equal opportunities for all.”
Duguid said that as a region exposed to environmental challenges, ICTs can be the Caribbean’s ally in fostering sustainability, adding that intelligent solutions and data-driven approaches can help the Caribbean conserve resources, mitigate climate change impacts, and build resilient communities.
“By embracing digital transformation, we position the Caribbean as a forward-thinking region. We can lead in sustainable tourism, renewable energy, and innovative industries, attracting global partners and investors.”
But he acknowledged that “the process of digital tans formation is fraught with difficulties for us as small island states that make up the Caribbean.
“There is limited access to the Internet and high broadband costs, inadequate digital infrastructure, insufficient training opportunities for citizens, a growing digital divide, and a lack of data and policy knowledge, among other things.
“Embracing a digital Caribbean is not a solitary endeavor but a collaborative mission that unites us all. It is a journey that we must embark on, and there are some essential steps we must take as a region to realize success.”
He said these steps call for the region to invest in robust digital infrastructure, including high-speed internet access across the islands, connecting even the most remote communities. “This infrastructure is critical for businesses to adopt digital technologies and for citizens to access online services,” Duguid said, adding that the region must invest in digital education and skills development to empower our citizens, enabling them to participate in the digital economy.
“We have to upskill the workforce in digital literacy and technology-related skills. This ensures that the labor force can participate in the digital economy,” he said. He noted that the region must foster a supportive ecosystem for startups and innovation, encouraging the development of technology-driven enterprises.
“This is important for driving economic progress and competitiveness; thus, innovation must be central to our growth strategies. This remains a main driving force behind progress in our economies.”.
Duguid said that the region must develop strong data privacy regulations and cybersecurity measures to protect citizens and businesses in the digital landscape.
“We have to invest in research and development, which will also foster innovation in emerging technologies, which can lead to the creation of new industries and jobs,” he said, calling for closer collaboration between governments, private sectors, civil society, and academia to drive digital initiatives forward.
“Extremely important, we must seek international collaborations and partnerships to leverage resources and expertise for the region’s digital development. As SIDS, we must ensure that digital transformation initiatives consider sustainability and environmental impact.”
But Duguid said managing mobile roaming, local number portability, broadband services, a single ICT space, and harmonizing regulations and legislation is complex in the Caribbean region due to the diverse range of countries and territories involved. However, notable efforts and initiatives have been made to address these issues collectively and foster regional integration in the ICT sector.
Dugid said that the Trinidad-based CTU has been working to facilitate reduced mobile roaming charges within the Caribbean region and that initiatives like “Roam Like You’re Home” have been implemented to lower travel roaming costs.
He said Local Number Portability (LNP) allows consumers to keep their phone numbers when switching between service providers. Many Caribbean countries have introduced LNP regulations to increase competition and provide consumers with more excellent choices.
Duguid said the Caribbean has seen improvements in broadband services, with governments and private sector players investing in broadband infrastructure. He said initiatives like the Caribbean Regional Communications Infrastructure Programme (CARCIP) aim to expand broadband access in the region.
“The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Single ICT Space represents an ambitious initiative to create a harmonized framework for the ICT sector in the CARICOM member states. It seeks to promote regional integration, provide uniform regulations, and enhance the digital economy.”
Duguid said that regional organizations, such as the CTU and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), have been instrumental in harmonizing ICT regulations and legislation.
“The goal is to create a common framework for ICT policies, cybersecurity, and digital commerce. Establishing model ICT policies is one way to promote harmonization,” he said, adding that efforts to address these issues involve collaboration among regional governments, regulatory authorities, industry stakeholders, and regional organizations.
“These initiatives aim to create a more seamless and efficient ICT environment across the Caribbean region, reduce costs, increase competition, and improve the overall digital experience for consumers and businesses.
“As we know, our progress on our digital transformation journey will vary from one country to another due to differences in regulatory frameworks, resources, and infrastructure. Regional initiatives are critical to promoting a unified approach to ICT development in the Caribbean, ultimately benefiting the entire region’s economic growth and digital transformation.”
Duguid said several initiatives are being undertaken within the region to ensure digitalization, reiterating that the region can use digital transformation to implement innovative city solutions to improve urban living, including efficient transportation, energy conservation, health, and enhanced public safety.
“Embracing digital transformation in the Caribbean will significantly alter how we live and conduct our business. It will be a long process requiring regional cooperation, public-private partnerships, and a commitment to investing in digital infrastructure, education, innovation, and global investment.
“As we move forward, we must prioritize digital literacy, ensuring every citizen has the skills to navigate the digital world. As governments, we must create an enabling environment for businesses, both large and small, to thrive and innovate.
“Additionally, we need to leverage digital technology to enhance disaster preparedness and response, thereby reducing the impact of natural disasters on our communities,” Duguid added.
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