ICTFEST 2006 is part of an ambitious programme by the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and Telecommunications to continue to bridge the digital divide by beginning to provide citizens with access to ICTs at the community level.

Today, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda is continuing to deliver on its promise of building an intelligent Nation.

Today, Antigua and Barbuda sends another clear and unequivocal message that we are indeed building an information-enabled, globally-connected, knowledge-based society.

The convergence and integration of communication networks and services and the explosive growth of the Internet and electronic commerce has prompted the Government to develop a blue print for the economic transformation of Antigua and Barbuda to a digitally-driven and digitally-competitive society.

The Government's ICT policy is designed to upgrade the intellectual capital of the Nation and to building an open and pluralistic society- one in which all citizens and residents have access to information and knowledge.

With the advent of the digital era, Antigua and Barbuda must continue to develop as a knowledge-based society where knowledge represents an important national value. Learning and knowledge are both enablers of economic development and so is technology.

The Government is hard at work weaving and integrating ICTs into the very fabric of our daily life. ICTFEST 2006 is yet another example of the Government rapidly pushing forward its digital agenda and positioning the Nation as a regional leader in building an electronically wired digital society.

Innovations in information and communication technologies have increased exponentially our capacity to connect with the global community. It is up to us to harness the potential of these technologies. As I have indicated in previous settings, technology is a tool for, not a reward of development.

The Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and Telecommunications is committed to ensuring that the necessary steps are taken to make ICTs accessible and affordable to residents of Antigua and Barbuda.

Examine, if you will, the explosion that is taking place in the affordability and availability of wireless technologies. A cell phone is no longer a luxury. Practically everyone who wishes to own a cell phone can now own a cell phone.

The computers on display and in use in this FEST are connected to the Internet using Wi-Fi and Wi-Max technology. That is, they are connected to the information highway using wireless technology.

Under this Sunshine Government, technology has become more accessible and significantly more available.

Standby for the rapid expansion in ICTs with the impending full liberalization of the telecommunications market and the landing of new submarine fiber optic cables. Antigua and Barbuda will never be the same.

In fact, tomorrow morning, telecommunications personnel from Alcatel Submarine Network and Southern Caribbean Fiber will join representatives from the Telecommunications Division and APUA in completing the terrestrial or land segment of the survey work that is required for the laying of the new Southern Caribbean Fiber optic cable. The landing of additional cables will result in significant reductions in the cost of international telephone calls and in the cost of broadband networks.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the challenge now is to familiarize Antiguans and Barbudans with the technology so that we can all understand that we can practically solve a lot of problems and explore several avenues which were previously inaccessible.

Technology has the potential to raise the standard of conducting business, making it easier to promote, sell and obtain goods and services with greater efficiency.

Connectivity to the information super highway is, therefore, important to developing Antiguans and Barbudans as competitive citizens.

ICTFEST 2006 is part of the efforts of the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and Telecommunications to reflect the absolute necessity for mass connectivity, computer literacy and training in the use of ICT applications and solutions.

The Government pledges to bridge technological differences and promote interconnectivity for all.

The Government resolves to do all we can to lead the way to a truly open, inclusive and prosperous telecommunications age.

In conclusion, I thank the sponsors (listed at the back of the programme) for their commitment to the FEST and for recognizing the national prosperity that is associated with ICTs.

A very special thank you to all the members of the ICTFEST 2006 Steering Committee for their unswerving insight, support and cooperation. The members of the Committee are listed in the programme. Permit me to express a special thank you to the members who are attached to the Office of the Prime Minister.

The ICT sector is one of the fastest growing businesses in the world, and what makes it unique is that it cuts across all other sectors in the economy.

Eastern Caribbean Central Bank Reports estimated that in Antigua and Barbuda ICTs contributed 16-20% of the GDP in 1994.

There are two equalizers in life: the Internet and education. The Government understands this, and we are using the power of the Internet to position Antigua and Barbuda for survival and success in the Internet economy.

Thank you.

St. John's,
Antigua
September 20, 2006