The importance of building technological resilience to ensure that CARICOM Member States are innovative and globally competitive is well embraced by all stakeholders in the Region. Over the Plan period, bearing in mind the differing levels of readiness of Member States, steps will be taken to develop a CARICOM Digital Economy within the framework of a CARICOM Digital Agenda 2025.

In pursuit of same, focused attention will be given to:

1. Developing a Single CARICOM ICT Space;
2. Bringing Technology to the People and transforming them to Digital Citizens and Digital Entrepreneurs;
3. Strengthening Cyber Security;
4. Mobilising resources and commitment of Member States to invest in ICT.

Goal

ž To engender innovative, technology-driven economies and societies in the Region.

Strategies

1. TEC 1 – Develop a Single CARICOM ICT Space – to enhance the market and environment for investment and production thereby improving efficiencies and exploiting opportunities with respect to telecoms/connectivity such as broadband development, lowering costs for consumers (e.g. data, roaming charges), improving the legal/regulatory framework, spectrum management, deepening use of technology to support research and innovation, stimulating new ICT business.

2. TEC 2 – Bring Technology to the People and Transform them to Digital Citizens and Digital Entrepreneurs – This will focus on:

1. Bringing Technology to the people viz. e-government and m-Government; Open data to stimulate innovation; Development of sector specific applications e.g. Tourism, Health, Cultural Industries;

2. Creating Digital Natives and Entrepreneurs: Capability and awareness building, paths to professional development; e-inclusion (access to all), strengthening of financing solutions (e.g. e-payments, digital wallets), re-skilling of the society.

3. TEC 3 – Strengthen Cyber Security (linked with Social Resilience – Citizen Security) – This will focus on initiatives to fully secure the single ICT space.

4. TEC 4 – Mobilise Resources and Commitment of Member States to Invest in ICT – To ensure adequate resources for ICT development including commitment of the Region’s governments, other sources (national, regional and international), public-private-people partnerships, engagement of the diaspora, other initiatives proposed by the Commission on the Economy.

Key Considerations

1. There are a range of national and regional initiatives already underway upon which the ICT strategies will build. For example, CSME, CKLN/Caribbean Research and Education Network (C@ribNET), Regional Digital Development Strategy (RDDS), ICT in Education, Aid for Trade Strategy, ICT Services Strategy.
2. Adequate and timely resources are needed for success – financial, technical and human. A determination of these resources, including key skills, will require a firm commitment among stakeholders to ensure that they are made available.
3. Member States are at differing levels of readiness as it relates to developing the digital economy. This will be taken into account, with opportunities for collaboration and cooperation between Member States to ensure that all will benefit for ICT development.
4. Partnerships between the public sector, private sector and civil society are essential for ensuring equity of access to all and for overall success in building technological resilience. Appropriate incentives would be needed to enable investment by the private sector and development of ICT businesses.
5. Parity of attention will be given to ensuring there is an enabling environment for ICT development, taking account of the need to address exiting market constraints, infrastructure needs and the legal/regulatory framework at the regional and national levels.
6. Opportunities for collaboration and cooperation between Member States should be promoted and facilitated.
7. A research agenda will emerge as the planning process for the Digital Economy continues, which would need the support of both private and public research entities, in particular, the Region’s universities and tertiary institutions.