I consider it a privilege to have been asked to offer brief remarks at the opening of this new Cable and Wireless Retail Outlet.

Without a doubt, Cable and Wireless (Antigua) Limited has been a trail blazer in providing Antiguans and Barbudans with quality access to telecommunication services. Over the years, these services have expanded to include cellular services (it used to be called Boatphone years ago) and internet services, which have been available for about a decade or so in Antigua.

Cable and Wireless has invested substantial sums of money in developing and expanding their communications network, and these investments have directly catered to the varying needs of a discerning and consumer-smart public.

Indeed, very few people will be at variance with the acceptance that Cable and Wireless (Antigua) Limited has played an excellent part in the building of the Knowledge Society and in the forming of an Intelligent Nation.

The opening today of this new Retail Outlet by Cable and Wireless should provide Cable and Wireless with not just another "sales depot", so to speak. In the rapidly emerging competitive market, I view this type of outlet as a medium through which excellent customer services will be provided without the hassle of long queues.

I want, therefore, to extend commendations to Cable and Wireless for the opening up of yet another retail outlet. The Government of Antigua and Barbuda views this event as a signal of the confidence of the organization in the Antigua and Barbuda economy.

I also want to go on record highlighting the valuable role Cable and Wireless played in the recent negotiations with regard to the REDUCTION in the costs of direct dial (overseas) rates.

The new rates, which became effective September 01, 2005, saw a reduction in overseas rates from a low of 9% to as high as 58%. At a time when there is a concern about the cost of goods and services, the United Progressive Party Administration was able to successfully negotiate with Cable and Wireless marked reductions in the cost of overseas telephone calls. This, Ladies and Gentlemen, benefits the entire country.

I want to also thank Cable and Wireless for agreeing to surrender their exclusive monopoly license by December 31, 2005. This exclusive monopoly license was valid until 2012, and after a number of important meetings with CEO Davidson Charles, it has been agreed that a Memorandum of Understanding between Cable and Wireless and the Government of Antigua and Barbuda will pave the way for the end of the monopoly license.

Ladies and Gentlemen, as you are already aware, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda has already signaled our intention to support Antigua and Barbuda's transformation to a regional centre in information technology excellence.

In this regard, a new Telecommunications Act, which will form part of the Government's legislative agenda, will call for full liberalization and open competition in our Telecommunications Market and in the management of the frequency spectrum in the interest and to the benefit of the people of Antigua and Barbuda.

As has been the experience in other jurisdictions, this can lead to a wider, more affordable range of IT services, and to dramatic reductions in the cost of doing business in Antigua and Barbuda, particularly for our international business sector.

Related to this, and as we continue to position Antigua and Barbuda as a leader in the use of information technology, the Government will also be introducing a Data Protection Act and an Electronic Transactions Act.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I want to end by reiterating the Sunshine Government's commitment to our long term objectives. These include:

a) ensuring that Antiguans and Barbudans have access to and become active participants in the global village network;

b) that the telecommunications industry functions as a catalyst for economic growth and wealth creation;

c) that a dynamic Information Communication Technology (ICT) industry is developed and that employment opportunities are created;

d) that Antigua and Barbuda benefits from the converging areas of telecommunications, broadcasting and information technology.

I invite you all to play a decisive role in the achievement of these long term objectives.

Once again, congratulations to Cable and Wireless on the opening of the new Retail Sales Outlet.

Thank you and God bless.