was 96.1%. The survey also indicated that there was a 26.6% penetration rate for online shopping and a 38.8% penetration rate for e-mail use. Information disseminated by the Telecommunications Unit of the Development Division of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Development shows that currently there are 134,261 fixed telephone lines, 41,151 of which are business lines, 257,596 cell phones, 47,133 Internet subscribers and 6 Internet Service Providers. Based on the above analysis Barbados has an opportunity to improve its usage and application of ICT within the society, and therefore take its development to a higher level. Conversely, it can see the gains it has made since independence diminished as a result of national complacency and an unwillingness to make the critical structural and other changes required to function in an increasingly complex and unforgiving global economy. SWOT ANALYSIS The SWOT analysis which follows summarises Barbados‟ Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats in the context of Information and Communication Technologies. a. Strengths  Small Size Barbados‟ tiny size makes it possible to design, successfully implement and effectively monitor projects, policies and programmes that might be difficult for larger countries to undertake.  Education While there are recognised deficiencies in Barbados‟ educational system, particularly related to its ability to nurture critical thinkers, 13