How to Leapfrog. St. Vincent & The Grenadines. Experience

Transcription

1 How to Leapfrog St. Vincent & The Grenadines Experience e-government in Developing Nations The Lessons Learnt What is this about? How do I get there? Presented By: Hon. Dr. Jerrol C. Thompson Minister Telecommunications, Science, Technology & Industry St. Vincent & The Grenadines

2 Developing Nations Developing Nations (Experience is Varied) SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES (SIDS) THE CARIBBEAN ORGANISATION OF EASTERN CARIBBEAN STATES (OECS) ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES

3 Prior to 2000 Monopoly -Single Telecommunications Provider Highest Prices in the world Caribbean was 60 % of global profit T1 line US$ 24,000 compared to US$ 500 in US New Technology had not matured & price too high Agricultural Economies (Banana / Sugar) High customs import duties High levels of migration by skilled workers Islands prone to climate change but slow recovery Huricanes,, Sea level rise Only 40% access to Secondary Education Limited access to Tertiary Education High levels of poverty and unemployment

4 Developing Nations like SVG Can they Catch Up? Knowledge is now becoming one of the fundamental commodities of out times. Gen-Statement: To become the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion. Knowledge is power, knowledge is freedom The transformation of global economies does not guarantee economic growth with equity as knowledge in spite of its public good becomes a much valued resource to be possessed and used for economic benefit. There is therefore a clear difference between a knowledge society and a knowledge economy.

5 RECENT CARIBBEAN TRENDS General Move towards CSME (Caribbean Single Market & Economy) The decline in the Banana Market, Sugar and Agriculture A shift to Tourism & other services (ICT & Financial Services) Migration and Brain Drain with losses of knowledge workers ICT Emergence of Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) Strong Independent Regulator (ECTEL NTRC) Growth of ICT Industry/Commerce ICT Business Incubators/ C-CentreC Centre Growth of government s ICT capacity CKLN ITSD - NIT

6 Caribbean efforts to leapfrog ICT & electronic government CARICOM s harmonised strategy The new Environment Co-ordination ordination of e-e government efforts CARICAD Improving internal operations of government Harmonised legislaton & Regulatory system Government to Citizens Inter- operability Ensure Security Adequate Infra- structure (Digital hole Ensuring Access Unlearning, Training and capacity building Knowledge management Address Challenges Adopt Proposals & the way forward

7 Regulatory Environment -ECTEL (East Caribbean Telecoms Authority) St. Kitts & Nevis; Dominica, St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent & Grenadines St. Vincent & the Grenadines ECTEL: Established in 2000 Liberalisation of Telecoms Market Sub-Regional results Significant price reduction Fixed lines 12% to 50% Mobile 75% to 80 % Shift from dial-up to ADSL Internet 7% to 10% New Submarine Cable (Southern Fiber) 2007

8 The current trend worldwide is a shift in consumer preferences in favour of a mobile phone instead of a fixed line. The prospects for fixed-mobile convergence have improved with widespread broadband internet connections, Wi Fi short range wireless networking standard and Wi-Max Investment in Telecommunications in ECTEL Member States Internet Subcribers in the ECTEL Member States Investment (EC$ millions) Subscribers Period ending March Period ending March Broadband Dial up Subcribers ('000) Mobile Subcribers in the ECTEL Member States The success of convergence will depend on the quality of the packages offered to consumers. The desirable characteristics would include: flexibility simplicity and the benefits Postpaid P eriod ending M arch Prepaid

9 What is region s e-government e strategy Promoting ICT values ICT an enabler of CSME Regional Integration. Infrastructure is key in context of development challenges Initial focus on getting the back office right before promising online services to citizens, viz. reengineering and interoperability key Gradual introduction on online services over next five years Issues of multiple access to internet is important Now only 400,000 persons are currently connected to internet, while 3 mil to cellular phones, landlines and TV. Problem of duplication & lack of co-ordination ordination in government must be solved. Training & capacity building is important Enable e-commercee Transforming society

10 What is our current strategy - SVG Support Regional Integration. Update old ICT Strategy ( ) 2006) & assess lessons New Strategy ( ) Finalise legislation - regulations on interoperability, signature and security standards (Electronic Transactions & Computer Misuse Acts. 2007) Improve co-ordination ordination & communication around existing projects Manage flagship projects to stimulate e-gov, e G2G, G2C, call center & EDMS Understanding the relationship between e-gov e and business development Establish NICTAB (National Advisory body) Clarify roles and responsibilities, NICTAB (Advisory Body) ECTEL / NTRC (Regulator) CKLN (Distance Learning) NIT (ICT Training Institute) CED (ICT Enterprises) ITSD (Ministry) Medium term plan on infra structure and information flow architecture Encourage departments & sectors to continue modernisation projects

11 SVG ICT Strategy and e-government e Plan (The Current Environment) Positive Strong Cabinet support Adoption by champions, CED, Chamber of Commerce, lead departments, clusters, sectors, districts, consumer assns, etc. (e-leadership) Appreciation of the participatory process. (NICTAB) A motivated Private sector 15,000 public servants with access to internet Access to the Gov Intranet Legislative and regulatory environment maturing Deficiencies Lack of effective coordination (perhaps too many players) Clear roles still need to be clarified NICTAB council is not yet effective The need to improve the explanation, marketing and communication of government s ICT initiatives Government not fully exploiting offers from private sector and private sector not fully engaged. National Infrastructure & Broadband price & quality

12 MAJOR INITIATIVES EU European Union UNEDSA New Strategy & Action ICT Incubator Center of Innovation Legislative review for e-commerce e-gov initiatives Regional Coordination Government Web Portal E Taxation E Business registry Change management training program (IBM Group) (The Millano Group, Italy)

13 Co-ordination ordination of e-government e Co-ordination ordination Inventory of government ICT systems in effort to reduce duplication. NICTAB will improved exchange of information. Appointment of an ICT coordinator. CED procurement role will maximise economies of scale Must improve exchange of information, experience and lessons learnt regionally and nationally. efforts Other Efforts Regional Quarterly e-e government learning workshops Annual Internet Fiesta For first time, coordinated budgeting for large IT projects Co-ordination ordination around some projects improving, G2G Efficiency & Info sharing G2C Transparency & Inclusion G2B Reducing the obstacles to business

14 Improving internal operations of government 10 modernisation sub - projects completed or near completion (2007) E-Customs (on line filing) E-Taxation (on line filing) E-Budget Preparation Gov e services Gov. Web Portal E-Civil Registry E-Business Registry E-Land Registry E-Procurement E-Agricultural Depots Establishment of a government wide Intranet system in capital Kingstown G2G but not in rural areas. Most departments currently networked Must check out success of ICT project and inter- operability in other places Many departments involved in EDMS projects and other automation efforts

15 Government, citizens and business electronic interaction No single window to access government services previously existed. The UNDESA Plan to launch a single window & Web Portal ( e-health, Labour & Tourism departments are at different stages of e-e Gov development The initial Budget allocation is now in place. Continued funding?? To provide information & where citizens can download or file forms and applications

16 Interoperability Challenges Deficiencies Draft standards on interoperability soon to be completed & a framework is in place for sharing data. Serious Deficiencies Project management capacity is required to escalate current XML Lots to learn form other countries. Systems based on XML standards Need to hold continual review & consultations within government & with private sector on evolving standards Need for partnerships: as some departments with critical information systems show a reluctance for security reasons (Treasury, Police, Inland Revenue & Customs) Adopt open source sols

17 Security Current Status Better understanding of ICT security today Draft standards on security completed Cyber laws adopted NICTAB & NTRC framework in place to certify ISO standards Still need to consult with stakeholders and provide capacity in departments (NTRC, ITSD & Police) Deficiencies No co-ordination ordination work on authentication (PKI) Need to sort out roles and responsibilities on some aspects of IT security Limited knowledge on current status ( how many virus attacks, etc.) Lack of confidence in security, identity theft and hacking.

18 Infrastructure Status Draft Infrastructure plan but no co- ordination in place Still too much duplication with infrastructure, Many networks but no effective coordination with statutory bodies, para-statals and local government No maximum use of available resources Plans Need a co-ordinated ordinated infrastructure plan for the future, backed by a viable business case and addressing the requirements of the entire public sector to avoid obsolescence Rationalisation of current technology with costs and benefits of 3G

19 Access for Citizens & Gov Employees in SVG Current Efforts Public Information Terminals -limited supply Many Telecentre projects -but limited by initial lack of human capacity. PC s & broadband labs in all Schools, Learning Resource Centers & Libraries, system is networkied through an MOU with provider -Cable & Wireless & other private sector support. Consolidation of Intranet for Govt. employees Urgent Next Steps Reducing the price of broadband and PC s Universal Service Fund Promote convergence, easy access & effective investment in wireless & appropriate technology Address Poor / Slow rollout of existing projects by donor agencies Need for creative think- ing on reducing fear & changing the culture of computer & internet use

20 Training and capacity building Universal 2nd Education National ICT Training Plan An initial need for basic computer skills (EU) Knowledge workers (EU) Numerous sectoral and departmentally inspired training and capacity building programs These initiatives are planned and about to start Establishment of the NIT National Institute

21 Knowledge Management Growing demand-freedom of Information/Privacy Ministerial Departments hold information, lessons learnt, databases & documentation on their own The demand for knowledge management is growing within departments and from other dept. No current co-ordinated ordinated framework for knowledge management in government. A few departments have their own initiatives for knowledge management. The INTRANET provides the framework for sharing or exchanging data. A data warehouse soon to be established. A comprehensive policy and a suitable IT solution must be researched, tested and adopted.

22 Challenges Ensure a single leadership and co-ordination ordination on e-e government. Appoint a co-ordinator ordinator of e-government e initiatives Establish & maintain the NICTAB (ICT Advisory Body) The Marketing and communication of e-e government policy & initiatives (Goals & Benefits) Improve linkages with the private sector on e-e government. Create forums for sharing experiences and learning on e-government. e Have a Co-ordinated ordinated budget across government for procurement, training and maintenance. An e-knowledge e management system (EDMS) is needs to be developed for the all the departments. Electronic procurement issue must be resolved within government and approved by Cabinet.

23 Challenges The NICTAB must be actively involved & provide leadership on key government modernisation projects NICTAB must develop guidelines on open source, common ICT, EDMS and e-government e projects. The need for a single window & Web Portal for providing a public service electronic gateway. Ensure Interoperability by adopting XML standards, the latest PKI security initiatives and adoption of a cost effective infrastructure plan for the public sector Set targets for public access and resource. Need for a partnership agreement between all players and the private sector and to encourage a culture of internet use within public service & in society. Human Capacity building must be focused on both current and future needs which can be leveraged. Pay specific attention to leadership and selection of appropriate project management capability

24 St. VINCENT S NEEDS SVG Must deliver on its commitment to ICT as an enabler of development, e-e Government initiatives and quickly adjust to the lessons learnt, adopt appropriate technology and a new culture in order to leapfrog. We need the continued assistance of the developed world in order to maintain progress, sustainability so setting a positive example and success so avoiding economic down turn, increased crime and social decay.