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| PM Tillman Thomas |
ST. GEORGE’S,
Grenada, February 17, 2012 - There is an “urgent need” to harmonise the
legislative and regulatory framework governing Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) in the region, according to Grenada’s Prime Minister Hon.
Tillman Thomas.
Speaking to a consultation on the
Harmonisation of ICT Policies, Legislation and Regulatory Procedures (HIPCAR),
the Prime Minister said Grenada and the region, are unable to realistically
develop local content and creativity or access the benefits offered by e-Government
and e-Business, if there are no laws to protect users and their work.
“Since 2008, the need for harmonized
legislation has become more urgent….. not only because of email and Blackberry
Messenger, Facebook and Twitter, which are now more pervasive than ever, but
also, because of the priority we have placed on ICT in Grenada…..Information
and Communication Technology has been identified as one of the five pillars for
economic transformation,” he noted.
Prime Minister Thomas reiterated his
administration’s view that ICT, along with Education, Health and Wellness services, Tourism and Hospitality
services and Energy Development and Agri-business, will ensure
diversity, resilience and sustainability in Grenada’s economic growth.
“We have determined that Information and
Communication Technology is a vehicle that will connect and attract our highly
skilled, computer savvy young people to the world of work which is becoming
more attractive as geographical location is becoming less relevant. We also see
it as a tool for greater efficiency in the work place,” the Prime Minister
declared.
The Grenadian leader, who is also
responsible for ICT and is the lead Head in CARICOM for the sector, said the
absence of the enabling legislation is frustrating efforts to attract foreign
investment into the sector.
The Prime Minister said he hopes the
synergies that can be derived from HIPCAR and the Electronic Government for
Regional Integration Project (EGRIP), in which Grenada is also involved, will “ensure
that we meet the global best practice and make Grenada and the region a safe
and competitive environment in which to do business.”
SOURCE:
Office of the Prime Minister
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