EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. INTRODUCTION E-Government is about utilizing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to bring the Government closer to its people through major improvements in the delivery of Government services. In recognition of this need the Government of Belize through its Central Information Technology Office (CITO), Ministry of Finance and Economic Development has engaged the services of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) to design a National EGovernment Policy, Strategy and Plan of Action to leverage the power of ICT as a driver of economic and social transformation. The overarching goal of this undertaking is to define a strategic framework for Belize that supports the development and utilisation of world-class E-Government capabilities. The role of the CTU in this regard is to analyse the national setting as it relates to E-Government, establish the needs of various key stakeholders, identify the priority central areas requiring strategic intervention, and successfully integrate and translate those needs into a practical National E-Government Policy, Strategy and Plan of Action that supports the developmental vision of the Government and people of Belize. In delivering on this mandate the following key objectives of the consultancy were defined: (A) identify and analyse regional and global E-Government trends and best-in-class approaches; (B) review existing E-Government strategies in Belize; (C) deliver a gap analysis of Belize’s current state vis-à-vis state-of-the-art E-Government development and/or readiness; (D) review the policy, legislative, and regulatory framework for E-Government; (E) design an appropriate E-Government policy framework; (F) assess the structure, operations, effectiveness and capacity of the CITO to deliver, continuously monitor and effectively manage best-in-class E-Government strategies based on the agreed policy framework; (G) assess key existing public service structures, systems and/or processes to determine their capacity to deliver based on the agreed policy framework; (H) devise an analytical framework for policy assessment, monitoring and evaluation of steps towards implementation; (I) develop strategies for implementing the agreed E-Government policy; (J) outline a plan of action geared towards effective implementation of the strategies; (K) provide a summary report of all findings, including final recommendations, strategies, and a plan of action; and (L) conduct a national workshop to validate the findings. In preparing this National E-Government Policy, Strategy and Action Plan, and in support of the development of a comprehensive E- Government ecosystem for Belize, the CTU drew on its pool of both international and regional expertise in the specific areas of infrastructure development, E-Government, innovation, national ICT planning, policy and strategy development and implementation and ICT-based capacity building to ensure the most appropriate set of targeted interventions were identified to bring about meaningful change in the shortest possible timeframe. The use of ICTs to enhance public sector transformation is not unique to Belize. Economies everywhere are in transition, driven by technological and business model innovation that is disrupting conventional governance models at every level of interaction, both within government and with its public constituents. Indeed, traditionally rigid, complex, inefficient Government bureaucracies are becoming a drag on economic growth, social innovation and national development. Governments must therefore find ways to curb these inefficiencies, use its scarce resources more effectively for social and public good and infuse ICTs in its operations to assists in this endeavour. 5