TOWARD A SINGLE CARIBBEAN ICT SPACE – PART II By Bevil Wooding
Implementation Keys to the Single Caribbean ICT Space
In 1989 the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Single Market and Economy (CSME) was announced as an initiative “to deepen the integration movement and to better respond to the challenges and opportunities presented by globalisation.” In the proceeding years, both the challenges and opportunities for the Caribbean have increased. As the potential of globalisation evolved into a new global reality, Caribbean economies and Caribbean society have undergone unprecedented transformation. Today, the question of deeper Caribbean integration is not just an ideal, it is an imperative for the region’s survival.
Rationale for the CARICOM Single ICT Space The Single Market and Economy was envisioned to provide for the free movement of capital, skilled labour, and the freedom to establish business enterprises anywhere within CARICOM. It was intended to foster greater economic cooperation and greater social cohesion among participating member states.
The economic benefits to be derived from movement toward a single ICT space can redound positively to Caribbean society. Its fruits should be manifest in areas such as health and education, community empowerment, security and job creation. For such benefits to be realised, however, development of a Single ICT Space must be rooted in the understanding that technology is simply a servant of the region’s larger development vision.
Information and communications technology (ICT) has always been foundational to the twin ambitions of economic and social development. At the national level, CARICOM member states have all identified ICT as a critical development enabler. In any regional integration effort ICT is equally critical to enabling such areas as commerce, trade, research, administration and security. Examples abound. Information and communications technology is a central pillar of integration strategies in the European Union, the Federal Government of the United States, the African Union and the Asian Economic Community. In every case, an overarching vision for integration provides a framework of defining objectives to guide policies, priorities and implementation plans.
Implementation Lag
The priority of ICT to the Caribbean region should be no different. Any plan for national development or regional integration must, of necessity, incorporate strategic appropriation of information and communications technology. This is why a Single Caribbean ICT space is not just desirable; it is necessary to enable the practical components of the regional integration effort.
“How is it I can go to the US and rent a car using my national Driver’s Permit without question, but I have to purchase a license to drive in other Caribbean countries?”
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Within CARICOM, however, that single vision has been considerably dimmed by the slow pace of implementation of some of the basic tenants of regional integration. At a meeting of Caribbean ICT stakeholders in Trinidad and Tobago, hosted by the Caribbean Telecommunications Union last June, several pertinent questions were put to CARICOM Government ministers by the audience: “Why should I care about ICT if I still can’t easily move and work freely across the Caribbean?”
“Why is it still so difficult for me to set up a business in another Caribbean country?”