ST. GEORGE’S, GRENADA, TUESDAY, JULY 28th , 2009_ Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the launch of the Caribbean Information Communications Technology ( ICT) Roadshow. This event is historic as it is the first major outreach programme encompassing twenty countries undertaken by the CTU. It is also significant as it forms part of the 20th Anniversary Celebrations of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU). Grenada is pleased to host this launch and to welcome the CTU and other officials to our country. This event is designed to increase regional awareness of the role of ICT and its potential impact in transforming our societies. It also has as a primary objective, the harmonization of regional efforts to gain critical synergies as we accelerate our adoption of ICT based solutions. The launch is also strategic and timely as it comes at a critical juncture in the history of the Caribbean when our region is facing the greatest economic challenge experienced so far in our lifetime. Our Caribbean has unique peculiarities. Limited resources, small size, rising crime, porous borders, the effects of climate change, the flight of intellectual capacity and the dismantling of preferential trade arrangements, are some of the key vulnerabilities of our region. These vulnerabilities are now exacerbated by the current world economic crisis. Globalization, rising food prices, volatile energy prices, financial instability, increasing unemployment and environmental risks all pose survival challenges for our small countries. These are the realities that we have to face. It is against this background that our governments have been pursuing relevant strategies such as the deepening of the Single Market and Economy to gain synergies, build critical mass and to increase operating leverage and competitiveness. While we are contending with these economic challenges, the world continues to experience the information revolution. A revolution that many think is more fundamental than the former industrial and agricultural revolutions given its potential to transform lives and societies at a rapid pace. The true impact of this revolution is reflected in the way business is now conducted around the word. The rapid deployment of goods and services, the plethora of commercial and professional opportunities that are now exploding as new markets open to competition, is testimony to this impact. This dynamic unfolding scenario is now affecting every aspect of our lives in the Caribbean. From the high penetration of cell phones, the use of emails, instant messaging and the use of communication tools such as facebook, twitter, blogs, skype and youtube, Caribbean people are actively engaged. Despite this however, a major issue for us in the Caribbean, is the current gap known as the digital Divide, that exist between access to and control of information and communications technology, particularly between developed and developing countries. In the Caribbean for example, while the cell phone is the most used ICT, internet use particularly broadband is much lower due to limited access. In fact the Americas lag behind Europe and Asia in broadband access. This gap is reflected in existing inequities in education, employment, poverty and limited opportunities for persons in the developing world and indeed the Caribbean. Too many of our people remain disengaged. As a consequence, Caribbean countries need to move expeditiously to reduce the gap and to begin to exploit the full potential of ICT’s. ICTs are recognized as enablers to facilitate solutions and present new opportunities for economic growth and development. It is in this context that this road show assumes tremendous significance. In addition to the fostering of innovation in the application of ICT to our Caribbean challenges, this activity has the following other key objectives: To build regional awareness among the private, public and Civil society sectors. To accelerate the use of ICT by governments in the delivery of public services To encourage greater regional collaboration in the development of regional ICT solutions To promote the role of the CTU and to forge closer relationships between all regional and international stakeholders. The achievement of the foregoing objectives in my view will significantly reduce the current gap. This road show will hopefully contribute to this process. It is my understanding that the roadshow will focus on dedicated forums targeting multiple sectors. These include network operators, youth, community development groups and agencies, small businesses, policy makers and other key stakeholders. This in my view, is absolutely critical if we are to meaningfully achieve the major objectives outlined. I wish to applaud the ITU for the foresight and proactive posture in planning and executing this exciting program. While you are leading the charge, the achievement of the broad objectives will require the collaborative effort of all stakeholders. In this regard I wish to thank the private sector for positively supporting this initiative. Further, I want to reiterate my government’s commitment and support for the work the ITU have been doing despite limited resources. I wish to urge all stakeholders in the Caribbean, particularly our youth and the NGO community to avail themselves of this opportunity as the roadshow traverses the region. I look forward to heightened publicity and awareness of these events as it moves around the region. It is my hope that collectively we will accelerate the use of ICT in the region as it will enable us to pursue all available opportunities for advancing the economic and social development of our countries. I am now extremely pleased to officially launch this programme. I thank you and wish you success.