PREFACE Prime Minister and Minister of Telecommunications, Science & Technology Dr. Honourable Ralph E. Gonsalves O ur country has not been immune from the challenges facing the world today, whether it is the impact of a weakened global financial market or the reduction in tourist visits to the Caribbean. We are faced with a contracting agricultural sector due to the loss of preferential prices for our bananas and other products. There are many limitations to our small size and economies of scale as with other Small Island Developing State’ (SIDS) emerging economy. However, there are also advantages to our size in the ability to more easily implement critical proven innovations on a national scale. Moreso the technologies of today, whether it is the mobile telephone, the Internet, the high speed global communications infrastructure, user friendly and easier-to-adapt software applications, or the ever-more powerful and affordable computers, have been changing the world and creating opportunites for countries like ours to leap frog and overcome the challenges of size, location and time. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have changed the way the world works and re-defined how countries trade and interact with their citizens and with each other. ICTs have created the opportunity for us to create a new vision and to build a new future for our people, our children and our country. The National 20-25 Plan has set a goal of becoming a Modern, Competitive, Multifaceted, Post-Colonial Economy which is local, national, regional, and global in its approach. St. Vincent & the Grenadines (SVG) had developed an ICT Strategy and Action Plan 2002 -2007, and I am pleased to state that we achieved most of our goals. We have recognised the importance of carefully crafting a National ICT Strategic Plan which will take our country to 2015. We understand the need to build international relationships and to respond to the pressures of globalisation; and, therefore, I want to assure you of our country’s commitment to the creation of a knowledge-based and smarter society. Our Ministry for Telecommunicatioins, Science, Technology and Innovation is mandated to ensure that our country is in the best possible position, in all sectors, to capitalise on the enabling capabilities of ICT. As we look to build and strengthen our service industry, ICT is going to play a vital role and the Caribbean is in an excellent location to offer a range of services like off-shoring and developing and promoting its creativity, culture and rich local content. The Ministry is looking to mould local ICT entrepreneurs with its various programmes and workshops, providing the necessary tools alongside business advice. We expect that the business community will rise to the occasion and grow the emerging ICT sector so that it makes a greater contribution to the national economy. We also recognise the importance of having a broad concensus on how ICT can be used to support our national development effort and as a consequence, this National ICT Plan has been developed through the efforts of a large number of people who participated in our Sector Working Groups. These Working Groups utilised the expertise and experience of both the public and private sectors and, Preface: Prime Minister Dr. Honourable Ralph E. Gonsalves P a g e | iii