Press release 86/2004
(14 June 2004)

The Prime Minister of Guyana, the Honourable Samuel Hinds
His Excellency Ambassador Per Eklund, Delegate of the European Commission
Representatives of CARIFORUM Member States
Representatives of Overseas Countries and Territories in the Caribbean (OCTs)
Representatives of Caribbean Regional Organisations
Representatives of International and Donor Agencies
Other Workshop Participants

As Secretary-General of CARIFORUM, it is my distinct pleasure this morning to deliver a few opening remarks at the launching of this Logical Framework Workshop being held to discuss approaches to the formulation of a CARIFORUM Regional Project under the Caribbean Regional Indicative Programme (CRIP) of the 9th EDF. Let me first of all express my appreciation to the Honourable Prime Minister of Guyana and to the European Commission Delegate for accepting my invitation to participate in the Opening Ceremony of this strategic exercise. Let me also express my appreciation to all the participants for their interest in the development of the Region as shown by their participation in this Workshop.

As you may all be aware, CARIFORUM and the European Commission signed an Agreement for a 9th Caribbean Regional Indicative Programme (CRIP) valued at 57 Million Euros. This Agreement was based on a CARIFORUM Regional Integration and Development Strategy and a European Union Response Strategy. Rationalisation of these two Strategies led to an agreement on how the European Commission and Union would support CARIFORUM's Development Strategy.

The CARIFORUM Regional Integration and Development Strategy places special emphasis on ICT as an important tool for the Region's economic development and diversification. Important elements of the Region's ICT Strategy includes liberalisation of telecommunications facilities, promotion of investments in the sector, development of harmonised incentives where possible, development of technical and regulatory standards to promote transparency, and the establishment of regional centres of excellence for training. Other important elements of that Strategy include strengthening institutions providing the Region with technical advice on the sector and the development of the Information Society in the Caribbean.

The Strategy, elements of which I have just elaborated appears to be extremely ambitious. If we are, as a Region, are to progress, and indeed excel, we must not only set appropriate objectives, but pursue them vigourously. The Caribbean cannot afford to be left behind in the development of this sector in particular, if it is to have any chance of advancing or even maintaining its place in this fast globalising world. ICT affects too many of the things which we as a people must not only aspire to, but achieve as well. Pursuit of that Strategy will however, require deepened Caribbean Regional Cooperation and the assistance of the donor and international community. This workshop is intended to reflect that dual approach of deeper regional cooperation, in the sector, and external aid in its development, through the design of a Regional ICT Project, which CARIFORUM will submit, to the European Commission and Union for funding consideration.

Ladies and Gentlemen, as persons knowledgeable about ICT, its global development and its implications for the Caribbean, you will undoubtedly appreciate the ongoing efforts of both CARIFORUM and CARICOM in this particular area.

It is public knowledge that while the Caribbean is not a densely populated or wealthy Region, it is a major telecommunications market. Some of the existing telecommunications infrastructure in the Region is comparable to the most advanced in the world, yet, even within some countries with advanced telecommunications facilities, rural areas do not have convenient access. In addition, as the Region further develops its services sector, enhanced telecommunications services which balances the business sector's demand with those of ordinary citizens will become critical.

Ladies and Gentlemen, when we speak casually about the development of a Global Information Society, we do not always fully appreciate the real opportunities being opened to the Caribbean by developments including those related to the development of telecommunications networks, multimedia services and technological innovations. By reducing the barriers of time and distance, new information and telecommunications technologies will change the Caribbean's social and economic environment and will create new opportunities for access to markets, for education, for employment, for training, and of course, for access to technology and information.

For all the reasons, which I have advanced, this workshop is important to the people of the Caribbean. The workshop will assist the Region in taking stock of where it currently is in respect of ICT. It will permit us to determine what priority actions we require to take as a Region to pursue our strategies and realise our objectives. Hopefully, it will end in a concrete proposal for European Union support and provide information and perspectives on the basis of which we may be able to attract additional support from alternative sources.

In closing, let me express my sincere wishes for a successful workshop and thank all participants for their presence, and hope that collectively, your work here over the next few days, will equip you to help bring development and its benefits to the Caribbean people at large.