ICT IN GOVERNMENT OF BELIZE As part of the preparation of the e-Belize – have access to the internet and e-mail, most Accelerating Development National ICT use the Microsoft Office Suite, and at least Strategy, the consulting team undertook a half of the Ministries have a functioning series of individual consultations with website. government ministries and departments. They also conducted a website content analysis of the www.belize.gov.bz portal of GOB ministries’ links. In addition, the consulting team conducted an e- government survey of all of GOB ministries requesting ICT related information. The introduction and use of ICT in the public service, however, has been limited by a lack of coordination and integration in the planning and implementation of these initiatives. This is due largely to the absence of a Policy and Strategic framework which would provide the requisite direction and Analysis of the information indicates that, guidelines for the adoption and utilization of overall, GOB has made considerable ICT resources in the public sector. Given the investments in ICT to-date. Some Ministry present level of adoption and use of offices feature modern computer and computer technology, the implementation of telephony equipment. They communicate this National ICT Strategy (which addresses to with other a large extent ICT in Government) will bode Government offices via telephone, e-mail, well for the further advancement of the and the Internet, in addition to face-to- GOB’s public sector modernization agenda. citizens, businesses, and face. In addition, at least three Ministries (Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Police and Public Safety) have installed management information systems and several others (such as Immigration, Foreign Affairs and Trade, Labor and Natural Resources) are in the process of doing so. Computer the 17) have a Ministry website and thirteen of the seventeen feature a Web site from one of their departments. Additionally, those who do not have a web site do have a web link on the new government (www.belize.gov.bz). portal However, government Web sites (as well as the GOB Portal) typically plays an feature static government centric information at the on the Ministry and its divisions, including operational level of all GOB Ministries and mandate, services offered, organizational Departments. All of the 19 Ministries and structure, Departments who completed the survey “frequently asked questions”. Based on the increasingly technology Approximately half of all GOB Ministries (8 of now significant Belize ICT National Strategy role contact information, and 30