Information Communication Technologies and the services associated with them include the broad fields of information processing, transmission and communication by means of computer and telecommunication techniques. These modern tools are being used increasingly for organizational and personal information processing in all sectors of the economy and the society. The technology and techniques necessary to deliver those services have increased astronomically over the last ten years.

The national development and the growth of any economy are now inextricably dependent upon the existence of a vibrant ICT industry, the availability of modern telecommunications infrastructure and the satisfaction of the growing demand for affordable telecommunications services.

ICTFEST 2005 is another important and exciting chapter in Antigua and Barbuda's fast track into the digital world of the 21st Century. ICTFEST 2005 ushers in a strategically important government and private sector alliance that has the distinct capacity to transform the lives of every citizen and resident of this country.

ICTs can and will open up potential benefits to our population out of all proportion to our country's size.

The Government fully understands that the task of creating a sound ICT infrastructure cannot be done alone and that this undertaking can only be done through private sector participation and involvement.

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda is continuing to build an information-enabled, globally-connected, knowledge-based society. As a result of this, Antigua and Barbuda already ranks high in Information Communication Technologies in the Caribbean Region. The Sunshine Government is promoting a set of policies that will upgrade the Intellectual Capital of the Nation. Indeed, ICTs are permitting us to begin our rise to First World standards with the building of the "Knowledge Society".

To encourage a wide range of investment, the telecommunications and informatics sectors are being fully liberalized. The impending removal of monopoly agreements will increase competition among telecommunications and technology service providers and will reduce costs significantly.

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda is cognizant of the importance of ICT. The convergence and integration of communication networks and services, and the explosive growth of the Internet and Electronic Commerce can no longer be ignored. Accordingly, the Government has developed, after extensive consultations, a draft ICT policy, which is a blue print for the economic transformation of Antigua and Barbuda to a knowledge-based society.

I am exceedingly pleased to inform you that this draft ICT policy is now available both in hard copy and on the official government website at www.antigua.gov.ag.

In its implementation, this policy will provide the requisite legal and regulatory framework as well as the financial and social incentives that will ensure that the people of Antigua and Barbuda are active participants in the Global Village and that we reap the full rewards of globalization.

The "People First" philosophy is to ensure that every citizen and resident has affordable access to ICT services in order to communicate and to better themselves educationally and economically.

The draft ICT policy envisions the following:

" access by every citizen of Antigua and Barbuda at affordable prices to ICT services and the latest in modern communications technology

" promoting Antigua and Barbuda as a Regional Centre of Information Technology Excellence to support the development of:

1. e-commerce
2. internet marketing
3. internet gaming
4. software development
5. e-education

The policy also envisions achieving the growth of small and medium enterprises by leveraging ICT services and techniques and having unparalleled growth in the national economy by increasing employment and revenue inflows that are directly attributable to a vibrant ICT industry.

A key policy objective of the National ICT Policy is that the people of Antigua and Barbuda are to have access to and become active participants in the global village network. To give initial impetus to this key policy objective, I am pleased to announce that the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and Telecommunications, working in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, will provide an e-mail address to every student in the public education system. This will commence with the allocation of e-mail addresses by the Government's IT Centre to students in forms four and five in all public secondary schools.

Ladies and gentlemen, another key policy objective is for telecommunications to function as a catalyst for economic growth and development. A dynamic ICT industry will be developed within Antigua and Barbuda that will provide employment opportunities and ensure that Antigua and Barbuda benefits from the converging areas of telecommunications, broadcasting and information technology.

In keeping with this policy objective, I am also pleased to announce that the Government of Antigua and Barbuda will be launching a website that will specifically promote the products and services of micro and small businesses in Antigua and Barbuda. With the title of "Antigua and Barbuda Market Place", this website will provide a showcase for micro and small entrepreneurs. The Government of Antigua and Barbuda will absorb all the costs associated with this initiative, and more details will be provided in the coming weeks.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda looks to the private sector to partner with the government in ensuring that through training and targeted incentives, our micro, small and medium sized enterprises will enjoy maximum benefits from ICTs.

E-business can reduce costs, boost productivity and assist in managing change more effectively for small businesses and give them greater opportunities for growth.

By using ICT and engaging in e-business, by buying and selling over the Internet, small business enterprises can have the world as their market. They will be able to trade worldwide from a single website. I challenge our private sector ICT partners to work with the Government on programmes targeted specifically to small business development.

We have to accelerate the move to e-government and e-business.

We have to create an e-culture in the society.

We must all be ready for the ICT tsunami.

Thank you to all the members of the ICTFEST Working Committee (Chairperson Anne Jonas, Arlene Weste, Jacquis Browne, Dr. Patrick Lay, Delreo Newman, Eustace Phillip, Eustace Hill and Hollie Sebastian).

Thank you and God bless.

St. John's, Antigua