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.
Read more: Barbados to Invest in the Modernization of the Public Sector
Premier Alden McLaughlin spoke at the Central Bank Meets Blockchain Conference in Barbados today on what officials said was the “ongoing successes of the Cayman Islands in its continuing work to improve e-government services and embrace digital technologies and industries”. McLaughlin joined a number of other speakers at the conference, including Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley. He reportedly told the conference that the Cayman Islands had taken a regional leadership role “in progressive reforms” with the development of legislation, regulation and policy in relation to e-government and digital technology.
McLaughlin noted that Prime Minister Mottley had committed to follow many of the e-government initiatives that Cayman is adopting, as well as “the encouragement we are providing to attract companies that operate in the digital sector”.
The Barbados government Wednesday announced plans to establish the relevant institutional infrastructure to ensure that greater levels of efficiency, productivity and international competitiveness are achieved.
Finance and Economic Affairs Minister Chris Sinckler, addressing the launch of the Barbados Electronic Single Window (BESW), said that the Freundel Stuart government, through the Barbados Competitiveness Programme (BCP), had taken steps to reinvigorate the Commission on Competitiveness and to establish a supporting Technical Unit.
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.
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.
Read more: BB: Benefits abound from Electronic Single Window, says Minister