Moderator Miss Michele Michael;

Hon. Dr. Edmond Mansoor, Minister of State responsible for Information, Broadcasting and Telecommunications;

Cabinet Colleagues;

Hon. Dr. Jerrol Thompson who spoke to us via Web Cast;

Ambassador Debra-Mae Lovell;

Ms. Bernadette Lewis, Secretary General of CTU;

Dr. Patrick Lay;

Exhibitors;

Ladies and Gentlemen

The United Progressive Party Government has been fulfilling its pledge of making substantial investments in equipping our people with the skills and competence necessary for them to successfully meet the challenges of the 21st century.

ICTFEST 2006 is an important component of the fulfillment of that pledge.

My Government promised to ensure information technology skills would be widely disseminated. We are delivering on this pledge.

The Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and Telecommunications continues to lead my Government’s charge to bring about a genuine revolution in our twin-island Nation through the use of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs).

Based on my on-going observations, ICTs have an extremely important role to play in the process of national development. All progressive countries, whether developed or developing, are endeavouring to exploit the virtues of ICTs to add value to the quality of life of their citizens and generally spur economic, social and cultural development such that persons in all strata of society can benefit in a positive manner.

We are building a people-centered, inclusive and development-oriented information society, where everyone can create, access, utilize and share information and knowledge, and enabling individuals, communities and our people to achieve their full potential in promoting sustainable development and improving the quality of their life.

The Government is committed to developing the Nation’s telecommunications and other ICT infrastructure so that it can take full advantage of the new technologies.

We strongly believe that none of our citizens should be denied access to computer technology, especially Internet access, that vast reservoir of knowledge, because of their particular circumstances.

That’s is why the Government recently launched the Community Access Centers (CAC) programme at the Green Bay Primary School.

Under the aegis of the Information Technology (IT) Center, this programme calls for the deployment of high speed computers with high speed Internet access. In addition, a comprehensive Community Technology Training Unit is being developed by Minister Mansoor and his team at the IT Center.

Under this CAC programme, students, teachers and principals in primary schools as well as the members of surrounding communities are being provided with computer training right in their communities. Persons of all ages will benefit from this initiative.

In phase one of the CAC programme, CACs will be established in six primary schools:

The first was already opened on September 07, 2006 at the Green Bay Primary School. The others that will follow are:

• Five Islands Primary School
• Jennings Primary School
• Villa Primary School
• Golden Grove Primary School
• Sea View Farm primary school.

Ladies and Gentlemen.

My Government sees itself as a model user of new technologies. It continues to provide computers and Internet access in many, many Government offices. By the end of June, 2007, over 1000 computers would have been deployed in all areas of Central Government’s operations.

Later this year, a brand new data centre will be commissioned in the new parliament building. This will provide the digital platform for an extensive roll out of e-government services. These services will include the development of a border control system and a more modernized immigration enforcement system. It will also provide a platform for the computerization of customs procedures including the processing of warrants. Incidentally, the new Parliament building, including the debating chamber, will be fully wired into today’s technology.

E-government is all about Government agencies working together to use technology so that they can better provide individuals and businesses with automated, superior Government services and information.

www.antigua.gov.ag and laws.gov.ag are excellent examples

e-Government is NOT a massive Information Technology project. It is about establishing a common standard across Government and delivering services more effectively and efficiently.

E-government will enable people to use digital technology to find and use Antigua and Barbuda Government Information Services.

Our use of technology doesn’t stop there. My Government is committed to developing its telecommunications and other ICT infrastructure so that it can take full advantage of the new technologies.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1- In preparation for World Cup Cricket 2007, I am pleased to announce that the V. C. Bird International Airport will shortly be declared a Wi-Fi zone; that is to say, the entire airport (including the arrival and departure lounges and the check-in areas) will have a high-speed wireless Internet signal.

This simply means that visitors to Antigua and Barbuda, especially during the staging of World Cup Cricket, should have no difficulty getting on-line while at the airport. In addition, the Government has been collaborating with the cell phone companies (Digicel, Cable and Wireless and APUA PCS) to ensure that the markedly increased number of visitors to Antigua’s airport during the Cricket World Cup could receive a cell phone service that is comparable with international competitive standards.

2- In recognition of the increased visitor arrivals during World Cup Cricket and their need for modern communications, designated entertainment zones and major hotels will benefit from modernized wireless technologies that will provide our guests with both high-speed internet access and cell phone technologies.

In this regard, the Government welcomes the announcement by ACT and Cable and Wireless of their plans to modernize their wireless data networks. In addition, the Government has been working very closely with the telecommunications providers to ensure that both Internet and cell phone signals meet international standards at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium.

3- The telecommunications sector will be liberalized by year end. This means that the exclusive license currently held by Cable and Wireless on external telecommunications will end and that Antiguans and Barbudans will have a choice of their preferred carrier when placing overseas or long distance calls.

4- A new fiber optic cable will land in Antigua before year end. The Government has reached agreement with Southern Caribbean Fiber, a company owned by the French business group Loret to land and light the cable in partnership with existing leading telecommunications providers. This cable is expected to provide the much needed broadband capacity at markedly competitive rates that is required for the expansion of the telecommunications sector.

5- A new telecommunications act will go to parliament in the coming weeks for debate. This new telecommunications act will replace the outdated 1951 Act and will provide the regulatory and legal framework for the liberalized telecommunications sector.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and Telecommunications is continuing to lead my Government’s charge to bring about a genuine technology revolution in our country.

I congratulate Minister Mansoor and his team for the staging of ICTFEST 2006 , and I now declare the FEST officially open.