Published 8 October 2019
Buckie Got It, St. Kitts and Nevis News Source
“The Digital Economy” was the theme for today’s 2019 National Consultation on the Economy. Persons from all walks of life learned more about the government’s programmes, policies and new strategies while discussions centred on ways to boost efficiencies, drive innovation, and develop creative solutions across multiple sectors.
Financial Secretary Hilary Hazel stated that: “Government’s policies and continuous improvements in the provision of digitally-based services, the right legislative framework, and other elements can be used in combination to create a rich environment for the private sector to drive a vibrant digital economy.”
Mrs. Hazel added that the economic partners in the room have all benefited from digitally-based services used by government, banks and other institutions. She said that the continuous growth in technology requires industry leaders to “update and recalibrate our approach to digital transformation in both the public and private sectors.”
“We hope that the presentations today will assist us to think through the challenges and inspire creative solutions and, most importantly, inspire us to take action when we return to our various roles in business and in government,” the financial secretary stated.
Today’s agenda featured two main presentations. The first was the “Government of St. Kitts and Nevis – Digital Strategy” presented by Roger Hennis, Senior Manager/Consulting and Advisory Services, Deloitte. In the afternoon session, delegates explored “Perspectives on the St. Kitts and Nevis Digital Economy.” Panelists included Timothy Antoine, Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank; Patricia Walters, CEO of The Cable; David Lake, General Manager of FLOW; Alex Straun, CEO of Genesis Innovation Management Inc, and Opehlia Blanchard, Coordinator of the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis’ Department of Technology.
Speaking of the remarkable advances in the digital landscape in recent years, Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris said during the National Consultation on the Economy that, “In 2016, the Federation was honoured for outstanding improvements in ICT development at the 14th World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Symposium.”
The prime minister added that, “The outstanding performance of the Federation is also recorded in the most recent publication of the ICT Development Index compiled in 2017, which ranked St. Kitts and Nevis 37th among one hundred and seventy-six (176) countries, placing the Federation first in Organization of the Eastern Caribbean States and second in the Caribbean to Barbados which ranked 34th. The smallest democratic Country in the world, St. Kitts and Nevis outperformed some 139 countries in the world. Something good is happening in St. Kitts and Nevis. The best is yet to come.”
