It is noted that overall, in 2007, St. Vincent and the Grenadines ranked 44th in the world. In dealing with licences, St. Vincent ranked first. However, in starting a company it ranked 29th, registering property 101st, paying taxes 32nd and closing a business 151st. In subsequent years, additional developed countries have been added to the World Bank survey, and a number of innovations have not been captured by the World Bank, resulting in a fall in some rankings of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in 2010. The World Bank went on to make several specific recommendations for improving the competitiveness of SVG, which on review, provided a good assessment of the current challenges facing the business sector. Government has commenced action to implement all ICT and other non-ICT recommendations with the goal that SVG’s level of competitiveness, ease of doing business and ranking will improve to be placed within the top 30 nations. Action Item Make Solid advancements to the ten major recommendations to raise the competitiveness of SVG. Introduce the mechanisms to effectively report on these advancements Table 3: ICT Recommendations to Improve Competitiveness CRITERIA SOME ICT RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE COMPETITIVENESS Computerise records and introduce electronic name search Starting a business Dealing with licenses Reduce the number of procedures Consolidate project clearances and provide information to builders on line to improve transparency. Employing workers Digitize records and introduce on-line access Registering property Getting credit Protecting investors Consolidate and reduce taxes and fees. Establish a Credit Information System Allow electronic filing and payment Paying taxes Trading across borders Enforcing contracts Closing a business Keep tax rates moderate & consolidate number taxes Continue improvements on electronic data exchange & processing. Amend Bankruptcy Act The ICT initiatives that have been put in train include: Computerising of CIPO to enable to starting a Business on line Digitizing the Land Registry records and introducing on-line access to title searches and survey plans Introducing on-line tax payments Continually improving ASYCUDA World customs data and clearance system – to facilitate movement of goods St. Vincent & the Grenadines National ICT Strategy and Action Plan P a g e | 30 There are therefore clear opportunities for improving the current usage of ICT by the business sector of SVG, and for upgrading the ICT-supported services provided by the public service to this important sector of the economy.