Speaking today (Wednesday May 17, 2006) at the opening ceremony of the Second Annual World Telecommunications Day Symposium, put on by the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), Mr. Davis said that ICT must play a pivotal role in both the economic and social integration of the region.

Pointing to the Symposium's theme, "Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Facilitating Caribbean Integration", the CWJ CEO said, "If we are serious about the CSME, then we must integrate ICT into the core of our internal and external relationships."

Mr. Davis emphasised that the region could benefit significantly from greater utilisation of technology but he cautioned that these benefits would not be realised "without an over-arching strategy".

"It cannot be that we think only of how ICT will benefit government-to-government interaction and state-to-state commerce.  We must aim to make it an integral part of the existence of the peoples of all our various countries," he said.

In outlining how he sees ICT being utilised Mr Davis said, "It must be integrated into our education system from the primary to the tertiary level.  We must equip our workforces with the latest ICT skills and facilitate ICT collaboration and partnerships between government and the private sector.  Civil society should be able to interact with its government in almost every area using ICT-whether its paying taxes; paying for licenses; paying a court fine; or accessing information in the public domain."

"ICT needs to become so ubiquitous in our culture that under the CSME with the free movement of peoples, there would be almost negligible dislocation related to a physical change of address from one country to another," Mr. Davis added.

Organised by the Mona School of Business and sponsored by Cable & Wireless Jamaica, the World Telecommunications Day Symposium is being held at the Hilton Kingston Hotel and continues until Friday May 19, 2006.  The event has brought together individuals from regional governments, regulatory bodies, academia and private enterprises to discuss the use of Information & Communication Technology in fostering greater levels of cooperation throughout the region.  There is also a special exhibition showcasing the latest ICT equipment and services.