along age, gender and geographic or ethnic lines. MTDS measures will be implemented … to provide for the full participation of the non-government and private sectors and to remove impediments to the ability of specific groups achieving their full potential.” 4. “Information and Communication Technology. Given Belize’s relatively small size, human resource constraints are ever present. Notwithstanding this constraint, output levels can be improved significantly by applying information and communication technologies to established systems and processes. Many of these continue to be manually operated, particularly in the public service. Whilst the implementation of a computerized financial management system (SmartStream) has led to some improvement in the recent years, there is a need for better use of communication technologies and for enterprise solutions to fit key operational activities. An example of this latter is the Land Information Management system developed under the GOB/IDB Land Management Project. Importantly too, information and communication technology can play a critical role in meeting the needs of those living in the rural sectors. Examples of recent efforts in this regard include a BRDP initiative to construct tele-centres in rural communities and to facilitate real-time transmission of agricultural market information from the districts. Over the medium term, the latter efforts will be intensified through initiatives such as the Agricultural Services Programme and the Agriculture Enterprise Development Project.” Based on exchanges with stakeholders, key findings for which are outlined below, the E-Government Policy Framework in Section 4 addresses the most critical gaps hindering Belize from integrating its existing EGovernment efforts in ways that allow it to achieve some of the main goals set out in the aforementioned strategy documents. 2.3 KEY FINDINGS Based on key findings and Consultant observations, there are several attributes Belize might leverage to fuel EGovernment growth at the national level, including: 1. Low labour costs as well as relatively low production and input costs; 2. Abundance of land, natural resources and undeveloped spaces; significant development potential; 3. Diverse population comprising several races, ethnic mixtures, cultures and languages; 4. Influential and well-placed Belizean diaspora; 5. Potential for maintaining and growing a diversified, more balanced economy based on existing primary, secondary and tertiary sector activities; 6. Vibrant tourism sector supported by world-class attractions: a 300-kilometre-long barrier reef that is a major tourist attraction, the Maya ruins of Belize, the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor with its ecological diversity and a profusion of terrestrial and marine species; 7. Strong indigenous models of good governance, including the Central Bank of Belize, and CITO, the latter of which is responsible for E-Government. 35