at electronic connectivity between all ministries and agencies within the public sector, at a current anticipated cost of EC$ 566,347 for the first Phase. The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) assisted the Government with enhancing SVG’s official website. The development of a single entry government Web Portal is now being developed with assistance from the Government of Taiwan through the establishment of an ICT Centre. This project when completed will enable new portal functionality. SVG uses ICT as an enabler of economic development and in the growth of its ICT Business Sector. Essentially there are four (4) 1.5.4 quadrants of activities which must be integrated to create a modern and dynamic ICT Sector. This comprises (1) a robust regulatory system; (2) adequate training of the human resource; (3) appropriate and relevant e-government initiatives, and; (4) building a vibrant innovative and creative ICT and business sectors including the promotion of businesses to adopt ICT. The effective management and coordination of the projects and ICT initiatives in this sector will increase efficiency, provider quicker transactions, ensure better trained citizens, reduce costs, increase revenue collection and spur greater business activity and competitiveness. Key Role of the Information Technology Services Division (ITSD) The Information Technology Services Division (ITSD) is the main ICT policy, advisory and technical maintenance services provider to the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The Division is headed by a Director who is the Chief Technical Advisor on Non-Regulatory ICT matters. Several major functional Units are integrated under the ITSD banner (refer to Figure 9 below) as follows: 1. The Web and Internet Content Unit designs, maintains and promotes the Government’s and national web presence. The Unit maintains the Government Web site consistent with the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts. The Intranet is geared to providing public servants with a range of electronic services which improve efficiency 2. The E-Mail, Internet and Intranet Network Services Unit provides public servants with professional email, Internet and Intranet services and a means for information to be disseminated throughout the Public Service and through which clients can communicate with officials 3. The Government Video-conferencing Services Unit 4. The Computer Repair Section which services computers throughout the government service 5. Development and upgrading of new software application and content creation where required by departments or where deemed necessary; and providing advice to ministries on the appropriateness of ICT & THE BUSINESS SECTOR The challenges are to separate out the many forces driving changes to this sector, to identify the critical trends from the false starts, and to piece together a big picture out of the many new visions. There are some emerging trends that cannot be ignored which include: 1. The hot technologies with the greatest promise 2. The best practices needed to harness all this potential 3. The challenging blend of new paradigms 4. Fresh ideas and disruptive technologies and tactics needed to exploit and manage them 5. Green IT and its impact on society. 6. The megatrends – business acceleration, the commoditizing of IT, the new agility and beyond 7. The macro forces – standardization, globalization, super powers & sleeping dragons 8. The new IT responses – virtualization, convergence, search, the rise of IP 9. The upstart ideas – social networking, virtual world economies, social analytics, and user-generated media Action Item: Make solid advancements in 10 major recommendations to raise the competitiveness of SVG and introduce the mechanisms to effectively report theses advancements. Defining the Re-launch Point P a g e | 33