(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) Member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have been urged to use Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) as a driver for economic survival as one means of combating the global economic down turn.

This encouragement came from Senator Ann Peters, Minister of State in the Ministry of Health of Grenada when she addressed the opening ceremony for the 3rd Meeting of the Regional ICT Steering Committee in Grenada on Tuesday March 3rd.

Speaking on behalf of the Prime Minister of Grenada the Honourable Tillman Thomas, whose country has lead responsibility for ICTs under the CARICOM Quasi Cabinet, Senator Peters said ICTs should be regarded as important to economic sustainability. She pointed to the current global economic crisis as a challenge for many countries. She however stressed that Caribbean countries need to look to the future and position themselves to reap benefits when the recovery comes. She added that ICTs could play an important role.

“As a Region we must begin to position ourselves for when the recovery starts. ICTs can enable and support a new vision of development for CARICOM Member States,” Senator Peters stressed.

These points were also underscored by the Prime Minister himself, when, during the working session, he briefly addressed the delegates.

Also addressing the delegates was Chairman of the Steering Committee, Mr. Ken Sylvester. He stressed that ICT touched on three critical elements, namely, people, processes and technology and consequently, countries need to examine how all these elements can be equally embraced.

“Member States must create the enabling environment where people, processes and technology are indeed a part of the information society,” he stressed.

The Regional ICT Steering Committee was established in 2004 and brings together a range of expertise and is organised in sub-committees. The Regional ICT Steering Committee serves as an advisory and support body to the CARICOM Secretariat identifying issues and providing technical advice and briefs relevant to ICT4D and the Information Society. The reports from the 3rd Meeting of the Steering Committee will be delivered to the next meeting of CARICOM Ministers for ITCs in the second quarter of 2009.