Using ICT for innovation, growth in the cultural arts and increased competitiveness of the private sector Attracting Investment in the ICT sector Computer and ICT waste managed effectively and safely ICT-enabled emergency response systems saving lives and protecting livelihoods and property It is evident that in achieving these outcomes, SVG’s growth and prosperity will have been accelerated, and the national ICT plan would have achieved its purpose. 4.6 NATIONAL ICT OBJECTIVES The SWGs developed the broad objectives of the National ICT Policy and Plan. These were organised along the focus areas as follows: 4.6.1 Technical Infrastructure To ensure that the national ICT infrastructure expands and adapts such that it delivers widespread, secure, and cost effective access to state-of-the-art ICT that meets the evolving needs of the country and its people. 4.6.2 Government (Inc. Justice and National Security) To ensure that ICT is optimally utilised within government to improve cost-effectiveness and the quality of services provided to citizens and businesses, and to support the administration of justice and national security. 4.6.3 Agriculture To enable the effective and efficient supply chain management (from production to sales and marketing) through the use of ICT and thereby promote the economic viability of agricultural related activities. 4.6.4 Community Development To promote affordable and universal access to ICT services and resources in rural and underserved communities so as to develop and strengthen them, to impact on poverty and gender inequalities, and to improve disaster preparedness. And additionally, to ensure Civil Society plays a critical role in community development, and that the borders which separate Vincentians within the Diaspora are broken down by the use of ICT. 4.6.5 Health To enable greater equity in the allocation and use of health care resources by exploiting ICT mechanisms to promote quality health care delivery and management in a cost effective manner. 4.6.6 Tourism To improve the overall coordination of the marketing and other destination management functions and to promote linkages with other key sectors, through the use of ICT and thereby enable the growth of the sector in terms of visitor arrivals, visitor expenditure and the overall level and distribution of revenue generated in the sector. 4.6.7 5.6.7 Legal and Regulatory To establish a comprehensive harmonized legal and regulatory framework which facilitates the development of ICT within the country and which supports its participation in the global information society and economy. 4.6.8 Education and Human Resource Development To establish mechanisms that utilize ICT in the education sector which will facilitate a better quality of life through life-long learning. 4.6.9 Industry and ICT Sector (incl. Trade and Financial Services) To ensure that ICT is optimally utilised by industry, particularly medium and microenterprises, so as to improve internal operational efficiencies and to support the export of goods and services, and to ensure that the ICT sector itself expands and contributes significantly to the national economy. More-so St, Vincent and the Grenadines endeavours to become the hub for ICT software development and the creation of appropriate local and exciting content and mobile applications. 4.7 POLICY STATEMENTS The SWGs then focussed on the enabling policies which will facilitate the achievement of the objectives and desired outcomes outlined previously. The broad policy framework has been defined by policy statements which collectively contribute towards St. Vincent and the Grenadines achieving its National ICT Vision and hence contributes towards the social, economic, cultural and human resource development of the country. It is important to note that these policy statements are built on the e-readiness foundation outlined previously. The statements build on the best practices identified, and which are intended to bridge the current gaps and strengthen the ICT operational base. In some instances, the statements are intended to move SVG in a direction consistent with knowledgebased societies and economies. These policy statements are given below by sectors: Accelerating Forward P a g e | 57