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Saturday, 23.11.2024
Transforming Government since 2001

BB: Barbados

  • Barbados government to reform public sector

    "There is an urgent need for public sector reform," and to make this a reality, Government intends to introduce a new Public Sector Bill, and if necessary, review the Constitution to enshrine individual rights and freedoms in the supreme law of the land.

    This assertion was made on Wednesday by Parliamentary Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office, Senator Irene Sandiford-Garner. She was delivering the feature address to open a four day Pan-Commonwealth workshop on "Managing the Global Crisis: Public Sector Reform through Business Process, Re-engineering and Leveraging Information and Communications Technology".

  • Barbados minister says telecommunications and information essential in today's world

    Today, almost every sector of society is demanding information that is fast and accurate. As a result, telecommunications has become increasingly important. It includes e-government, e-learning, e-banking and video conferencing.

    Barbados will join the rest of the world in celebrating World Telecommunications and Information Society Day (WTISD) on Monday, May 17, under the theme ‘Better City, Better Life with ICTs.

  • Barbados to Invest in the Modernization of the Public Sector

    Barbados will invest in the modernization of the public sector by increasing the effectiveness of the government to improve the competitiveness of the country’s economy with a loan of US$40 million approved by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

    This project aims to achieve greater use of digital channels by individuals and companies to access public services; greater efficiency in public sector administration; and the strengthening of public sector skills to operate in a digital economy.

  • Barbados: Cutting Edge Technology

    WITH the help of a microchip, Barbadians could one day be carrying all of their personal information, from birth certificate to an electronic fingerprint, on a single plastic card.

    Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Senator John Williams, made this revelation as he described the capabilities of the “single card initiative” at the opening ceremony of the Fifth Caribbean Ministerial Consultation on Regional Co-operation for E-Government Capacity Building, at the Fairmont Glitter Bay, yesterday.

  • Barbados: Eastmond: ICT priority for us

    Government is taking a leading role in the development of information communications technology (ICT) in Barbados.

    Minister of Commerce, Consumer Affairs and Business Development, Senator Lynette Eastmond, made this clear at a recent breakfast seminar on the Computer Misuse Act and Security at the Savannah Hotel, Hastings, Christ Church.

  • Barbados: Embracing ICTs in public services

    Barbadians are breathing a collective sigh of relief now that the deadline for filing taxes has passed. This year, we were presented with a new experience as the option to file income taxes online became available for the first time. This was greeted with much apprehension from many members of the public, while others welcomed this change of pace and refreshing upgrade to the way business is done in Barbados. However, as with many new ventures, the introduction to online filing did not come without hiccups.

  • Barbados: Goddard: Human element is the most important

    Understanding the human element is one of the most important aspects of transforming the local public sector through the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

    This was the view expressed by Philip Goddard, Special Envoy to the Government of Barbados for Technology, Trade and Investment, during his presentation at last week's Information Society of Barbados (ISB) Conference.

  • Barbados: Government aware of ICTs transforming power

    The Barbados Government has fully recognised the power that Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) hold in stimulating and facilitating cultural, economic and social development in Barbados.

    This was the general message which was sent by Dame Billie Miller, Senior Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, while speaking at the opening ceremony of a two-day Commonwealth Connects workshop on e-Business and e-Government for the Caribbean region, held at the Grand Barbados Beach Resort, yesterday.

  • Barbados: Government Striving For Efficiency Though ICT

    Government will continue over the next few years to improve its role as a model user of information communication technology (ICTs).

    This was underscored by Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Telecommunications, Investment and Energy, Senator Darcy Boyce. He was delivering the feature address at the opening of the World Telecommunications and Information Society Day workshop today. It was organised by the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry under the theme: "Better City, Better Life with ICTs - Leveraging ICTs for Business and National Development and was held at the Hilton Hotel.

  • Barbados: Improved Services

    The Barbados Government is ensuring that it makes the most of the new technology becoming available to streamline its operations and improve its delivery of services to the general public.

    Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Senator John Williams, stated that Government had recognised the importance of electronic government (E-government) and the Ministry of the Civil Service had been given responsibility for managing the e-government initiative.

  • Barbados: Maximise website potential

    Congratulations are in order for the Ministry of Transport and Works on the launching of their website. At the launch, the Minister remarked that this new initiative was a great method of accessing the public and a useful way of getting their projects out to them, a view shared by this newspaper. We must also add that it is pleasing to see the wealth of information available on the website and we urge the Ministry to keep its promise to update the site on a weekly basis. Given the immediacy of the online experience, it is terribly frustrating to be greeted with out-of-date information on an organisation’s website. It was also noted at the launch that the website will form part of the Ministry’s efforts to improve on customer service and it is hoped that those charged with its maintenance will keep that in the forefront of their minds at all times.

  • Barbados: No public sector reduction from e-government

    There is no need for Barbados to reduce the size of its public sector, and the adoption of e-government will not result in any such reduction.

    That assessment from economist and former opposition leader Clyde Mascoll, MP for St. Michael North-West, and Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, as he spoke in Parliament yesterday on a resolution to take note of the draft e-government strategy.

  • Barbados: Parliament discuss 24/7 civil service

    Minister with responsibility for the Civil Service, St James North MP Rawle Eastmond says a 24-hour economy is an absolute imperative for Barbados.

    He made the comments in Parliament while leading off debate on a resolution taking note of government's draft e-governance strategy.

  • Barbados: Plan to bridge digital divide

    Government will today take the first step not only towards bridging the "digital divide" but also launching an e-government platform to revolutionise delivery of its services into the 21st century.

    That's when Deputy Prime Minister Mia Mottley moves passage of a resolution in the House of Assembly to take note of the Draft E-Government Strategy.

  • Barbados: Public Service A Click Away

    The government's launch of an Internet portal is expected to play a major role in making Barbados more competitive.

    The Barbados Integrated Government (BIG) Portal was launched last Wednesday at the Savannah Hotel with high expectations that it will contribute to a more efficient Government, provide more services to business and citizens alike on a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week basis and speed up processes involving Government and business, for example, the clearing of goods from ports.

  • Barbados: Symmonds: Beware of tax evaders

    The misuse of technology is a reality that must be addressed by the Barbados Government.

    Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds, while supporting the Resolution to take note of the Draft E-government Strategy in the Lower House yesterday, brought the example of large companies that might have the capacity to make online transactions that might be traceable or accounted for by the Inland Revenue Department.

  • Barbados: Time for Revolution

    Barbados needs a revolution in the public service culture rather than reform.

    According to Member of Parliament (MP) for St. Michael West, Joseph Atherley, this is crucial to increasing competitiveness, attracting further investment, and for the survival of the water, transport, and postal services.

  • BB: Cyber threat

    Govt official acknowledges urgent need for national strategy

    A national cybersecurity strategy needs to be urgently developed.

    This observation was made by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of the Civil Service Alyson Forte as he delivered remarks at a recent breakfast symposium hosted by his ministry and the Data Processing Department at Courtyard by Marriott Hotel.

  • BB: Benefits abound from Electronic Single Window, says Minister

    Multiple benefits are expected to be derived from the newly launched Barbados Electronic Single Window (BESW).

    That’s according to the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Christopher Sinckler, who told those attending the BESW launch at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre yesterday, that on the receiving end of those multiple gains will be both Government and the private sector.

  • BB: Cabinet approval being sought for national knowledge management system

    The Cabinet of Barbados will soon be asked to approve the approach that has been recommended to implement the national knowledge management system.

    So says Minister of Labour, Social Security and Human Resource Development, Senator Dr. Esther Byer-Suckoo. She told deputy permanent secretaries and heads of departments attending the opening ceremony yesterday morning of the Certified Knowledge Manager Training Workshop, being conducted by the US-based Knowledge Management (KM) Institute, which was held in the Warrens Suite of Baobab Towers, that the top priority would be the creation of an appropriate strategic and high level policy framework.

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