National ICT Strategic Plan x Government of St Kitts and Nevis The first step would be the official endorsement of the overall policy and strategy. The National ICT Strategic Plan must first be publicly accepted by the Prime Minister and Cabinet as the roadmap to take St Kitts and Nevis to the ICT empowered society that has long been envisioned. x No less critical is the creation of an enabling environment for E-Business in particular through adaptation or adoption and continuing adjustment of appropriate legal and regulatory frameworks. It should become top priority to pass the laws that are necessary to create this environment within as short a timeframe as possible. x Within the central government administration, a senior officer should be appointed as coordinator of ICT programmes. He/She should be attached directly to the Cabinet Minister in charge of ICT policy and programmes. Ґҏ x A specific Information and Communications Technology Unit (ICTU) should be formed and staffed, within the ministry of the Cabinet Minister responsible for ICT policy and programmes. This unit would be headed by the senior officer that was placed in charge of these ICT programmes. This unit would be responsible for ensuring the implementation of the National ICT Strategic Plan. x ICT officers should be appointed in each entity of the central government, that is within each Ministry. These officers would be responsible for interacting with the ICTU regarding all ICT-related matters for each of these ministries. As a result, in the public administration a network of ICT officers in all entities would work under a national coordinator toward the implementation of the related activities. x The ICTU would be responsible for initiating a long term effort toward ICT and information literacy and for fostering an innovation and learning culture among all segments of the population. This would be both a requirement and an ultimate goal. x The ICTU would also attempt to widen the effects of the telecommunications divestiture by enforcing interconnectivity, expanding universal service and catering for competition. This ground work would facilitate the implementation of further policies geared at encouraging business competitiveness and development through ICT investments in all sectors and the development of ICT industries. x The financial services should themselves fully incorporate electronic transactions in their Ministry of Finance, Sustainable Development, Information and Technology November, 2006 5