The Way Forward The National ICT Strategy provides a mechanism to support Barbados‟ developmental vision by encouraging the utilisation of ICTs as essential tools at all levels of society and in every sphere of economic activity in ways that improve the quality of life of all Barbadians. It must create an enabling environment that allows Barbadians to embrace the new technologies to improve efficiency, diversify, expand economic activity, strengthen the social fabric of communities, enhance security, build a resilient knowledge-based society and an electronically integrated government. Consequently, Barbados must develop a culture of continued education and learning that enhances the skills of its people and extends their horizon of possibility. It must also encourage the development of multi-skilled professionals and mid-level workers able to respond creatively to change in a dynamic environment. What is more, Barbados must develop new organisational structures and business processes by maximising the use of new technology systems that improve the quality of life of all Barbadians. In order for Barbados to realise its developmental vision, it has to create a networked society that frees workers from fixed locations and promotes telecommuting as a means of expanding the global employment of residents in Barbados, thus projecting their economic activity far beyond the island‟s shores. Furthermore, in order to support the innovative use of technology, the Government must create a user friendly business environment that stimulates investment through the creation of a sophisticated national communications infrastructure that provides affordable ubiquitous broadband connectivity for the healthcare, environmental, education, community development, commerce and public sectors, to name just a few spheres of activity. Given the rapid pace of technological innovation and change, the national ICT Plan will require periodic review to respond to emerging opportunities and 23

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