Address by Hon Phillip Paulwell
Minister of Commerce Science and Technology
Official Opening Jamaica Network Access Point

...cont'd

In addition a wave of efficiency is now sweeping across a wide range of public services. Jamaica Customs is now accepting online payment of duties and user fees. Customs’ importing and exporting forms; the Trade Board’s applications for licenses and export certification; JAMPRO’s exporter registration and Shipping Association of Jamaica’s e-manifest can now be processed on-line.

Increasingly also, the financial services sector, our stock exchange and other private sector interests are now electronically accessible and are increasing their on-line products and services.

In this new economy, computers and telecommunications, and the use of the Internet have revolutionized communication systems, access to business information and the decision-making process.

As we come to terms with the Digital Age, Jamaica has the opportunity to embrace the new concept of a "knowledge-based society" for social and economic development. We must seize the initiative and build on the foundation that we have already laid, to establish new partnerships, develop new industries and to become more competitive in this environment.

We must not only focus on market accessibility, but on lifting our out-put to meet demand competitively while maintaining internationally accepted standards. As a country, as enterprises and as individuals we must boldly and creatively ride the crest of change, challenge and opportunity. It was for this reason that we fashioned a National Industrial Policy with the information and communication technology sector as a priority sector.

Since we have liberalized the ICT sector, we were able to earn approximately US$92 million (J$3.9 billion) from two cellular licences.
Through our foresight, determination, negotiating skills and amicable working relationship with the industry players, we were able to break a
monopoly without acrimony.

This de-monopolization of the telecommunications sector has seen significant reduction in telephone rates to the point where cellular telephone
is no longer a status symbol. Even the average youngster in the street can now afford a cell phone. Investment in the telecommunications sector over the past few years is now well over US$500 million.

But there is a less visible success story. Since the liberalization of the ICT sector, the government has focused on developing our human resource capacity to compete in this segment of the industry. Examples of this are:

• The Caribbean Institute of Technology (CIT) established in 1999 and which offers an 11-month course of study to teach graduates
  the concepts and skills required for a career in software development. The CIT programme, which started in Montego Bay, has been franchised to a number of local institutions and has graduated to date over 500 software developers.



• The CISCO Regional Academy established in 2002 and which offers the CISCO Certified Network Associate (CCNA) programme. This initiative is creating create a critical mass of technicians who can design, build and maintain computer networks.

There are also a number of Jamaican companies operating in this segment of the industry that compete successfully on a global basis. These include MC Systems Ltd which has been the recipient of a number of Microsoft Awards for its locally developed software; Advanced Digital Services, whose insurance solutions and outsourcing services are demanded globally and Indusa Global, which has provided offshore software development services to a number of North American clients.

We believe that the ICT sector still offers some opportunity but there are no certainties or guarantees. The current environment is full of risk and
uncertainties. Competitive advantage does not last long. Hence, the name of the game is creativity and continuous innovation and improvement to keep up with, or ahead of the competition.

This is the spirit with which we welcome Jamaica Network Access Point. Your presence in our challenging but dynamic market place demonstrates your keen business acumen…but in a more profound sense it signals once again that our policies continue to create spaces for enterprising businesses. We welcome you as yet another partner for progress.