By Lance Hinds
Since the late 1990s Caribbean governments and stakeholders have in principle, recognised and articulated that a highly functioning Information Society was critical to the long-term development of the region and its citizens. Since then there have been a series of policy initiatives in an effort to achieve that goal. These efforts began with the CARICOM Connectivity Agenda, which was officially launched in 2002. Then there was the CARICOM Information and Communications Technology (ICT) for the development of a regional programme (ICT4D), followed by the Regional Digital Development Strategy (RDDS). All of these initiatives have now coalesced into the Caricom Virtual ICT Space. The overall mandate of the Virtual Space, as the digital arm of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) is:
“The creation of an ICT-enabled borderless space to foster economic, social and cultural integration among Caribbean citizens. Its objectives also include the harmonization of ICT policies, legislation, regulations, technical standards, best practices, networks and services.”
The message, sent via these projects and related initiatives, has been clear. The full adoption and utilisation of Information Technology is fundamental for improving the productivity of all sectors of the economy. It is a critical developmental instrument that can be used for the reduction of poverty, extending health services, increasing societal inclusiveness, and generally improving the life of the citizens in the Caribbean region. The successful creation of the Information Society would be the fulfillment of these regional goals. The criteria established for the measurement and evaluation of the Information Society also provides a clear overview of its overall success.
The impact has been of course, a mixed bag, and in hindsight, this is understandable. It is not that the proposals and action plans were not presented to the Heads of Government over the years since 2002, it always seemed however, to be a question of priority, especially in view of the issues being addressed at the time.
Matters related to ICT were placed under the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED). For many years, issues of Tourism, Agricultural Commodities and other related matters dominated these discussions. This only began to change when the sub-committee COTED-ICT was created specifically to address the policy issues pertaining to Information and Communications Technology. Analysis shows that Jamaica is the CARICOM member that adopted the concepts and practices of ICT as a developmental and economic tool to their benefit more than any other member of the Caribbean Community. The level of employment in the ICT sector ranging from Business Process Outsourcing to software development is quite impressive. They are a good working example of what happens when at the policy level, the digital economy is infused into the overall economic framework.
The past four to five years have seen significant change in the ICT landscape in Guyana. There are more companies offering ICT related services since the mid-1990s. The game changing event during this period was the creation of an agency, the Ministry of Public Telecommunications, specifically to foster the growth of ICT by the development of relevant policy, introduce capacity building and talent spotting initiatives, and provide connectivity in remote and other underserved areas.
These efforts have borne significant fruit. The increase of inclusiveness by the improved access to connectivity has triggered a series of initiatives inside and outside the Ministry to support the growth of ICT as a cross-cutting component for industry and also the creation of a self-sustaining ICT private sector that can contribute to the economy. Local companies have introduced mobile applications for e-agriculture, citizen reporting and other locally-based services.
Training in coding and robotics is being provided either by the government, private sector, or a combination of both, in many parts of the country. Hackathons and Codesprints allow participants to showcase their talents and in many cases have attracted employment and/or entrepreneurial interest. Some local firms are now working with international companies doing ground-breaking work. Informational events, in conjunction with regional organisations, have consistently shown Guyanese the wide possibilities of ICT once it is applied to the national and business context. Private sector IT firms are constantly hosting technical information sessions on the state and future of the industry.
The impact of these initiatives to date is still a work in progress and there is of course, a lot of work to be done. Telecommunication liberalisation preparations are hopefully in their final stages and will come to fruition in the coming months. Policy and legislation in areas like data protection, e-Commerce and cybersecurity are in various stages of development and need to be completed. There must be efforts by all stakeholders to ensure that the pieces of legislation are balanced and possess a ‘light touch’ that will encourage further development in the sector.
The utilisation of ICT in the traditional productive and manufacturing sectors is also a work in progress. The larger manufacturers have certainly invested extensively in the technology and are seeing the returns. In many instances however it is a case of the haves and have-nots. This is not always a case of affordability but in many instances, of an aged and cultural mindset. Further orientation and education is needed and it is hoped that the business support organisations will take up the mantle in support of this process. The case must continue to be made that it is the effective utilisation of ICT that will improve the efficiencies needed to be competitive in and outside of Guyana.
There are continued signs of innovation and creativity as the access and use of ICT increases. Young people are coming with ideas and prototypes worthy of further support. What is needed however, is a sustainable venture capital and investment ecosystem that has the faith and capacity to invest in these emerging ideas and solutions. This also requires that the relevant policies be developed to support and reward these efforts.
In terms of employment, while there has been some increase of jobs in the ICT sector, there has not been the mass employment that would have been desired. Jamaica for example, has created some 30,000 ICT-related jobs across the island to date. Inclusive of service providers and call centres, Guyana has currently roughly about 4,000 – 5,000 jobs in the sector. Effort in terms of improved infrastructure, especially the cost of communications and reliable and affordable electricity, must continue. The policy developments mentioned previously in this article are of critical importance.
It is said that Guyana is moving at 500 miles an hour as a result of the potential of the emerging Oil & Gas sector. It is therefore critical that Guyana and its citizens be ready to live and compete in the new environment that will only be concerned with the efficient delivery of services. The majority, if not all of these services, will be technology-driven in some form or the other. It is the knowledge and technology-driven services that will compete successfully in this very demanding environment. Time will wait for no one. We have to get moving…and fast.
The writer is the Chief Executive of the BrainStreet Group.
Note
Given the importance of Guyana’s emerging ICT Sector, The Stabroek Business is prepared to examine for possible publication, articles on the subject by adherents of the discipline which manifestly make informed and generally useful contributions to the discourse ensuing at this time. Publication is subject to the newspaper’s customary editorial prerogative on issues of content and relevance. Editing may also be required to take account of space.
