BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Feb 22, CMC – The Secretary General of the Trinidad-based Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), Bernadette Lewis, says the establishment of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Single ICT Space is a complex undertaking, which presents many challenges.

But she believes these can be overcome through regional and institutional collaboration and cooperation. “It requires champions at the highest levels of governments and their commitment to collaborate nationally and regionally; creativity and innovation; and strengthening of the CARICOM institutions responsible for its implementation,” she said. [caption id="attachment_20300" align="alignleft" width="150"] Chairman of CARICOM, His Excellency David Granger, President of Guyana (left) and Lead Head of Government with responsibility for ICT, Dr. the Hon Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada[/caption] Guyana’s President David Granger, the CARICOM chairman said that the regional leaders at the inter-sessional summit held in Georgetown last week had approved the draft road map for a Single ICT Space and commended the CTU, the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) and the officials who had prepared the document.

"We approved the Draft Road map for a Single ICT Space" - President Granger #28Intersessional#CARICOMHeadsMeet#COCHOG

— CARICOM (@CARICOMorg) February 17, 2017

Via CMC   He said the Single ICT Space would be one of the driving forces for social and economic development of the Community.

The Single ICT Space would be one of the driving forces for social, economic development of Community. - President Granger #28Intersessional

— CARICOM (@CARICOMorg) February 17, 2017

“It would enhance the environment for investment and production, provide an opportunity for innovation to flourish, support a sustainable increase in growth and jobs and enhance efficiency and increase access to public services.” Grenada’s Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell, who has lead responsibility for ICT within the quasi CARICOM Cabinet, “it will also protect our citizens on the whole issue of where cyber security is concerned, ensuring that the best legal and regulatory framework is available to support our citizens in the digital economy. Lewis, who addressed the regional leaders, said that the new initiative also “entails public awareness and education as there are many technological solutions for the challenges we face as a region and that we need to expose all sectors of the society to them, from Governments to the man on the street; appropriate planning; and the political will and commitment to drive the process”. She said the vision for the CARICOM Single ICT Space includes an ICT-enabled borderless space that fosters economic, social and cultural integration for the betterment of Caribbean citizens. She defined it as an ecosystem of regionally harmonised ICT policies, legislation, regulations, technical standards, best practices, networks and services.