TCI: 21st Century Governance Press Release

#TurksandCaicos, January 30, 2018 – Providenciales – Hon. Sean R. Astwood, Deputy Premier and Minister of Border Control and Employment attended the ‘21st Century Government Summit’ on January 16, 2018 in St. John’s Antigua & Barbuda.  The summit also saw Heads of Government from over 8 other neighboring Caribbean Countries

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda and the Caribbean Telecommunications Union, in collaboration with the Caribbean Centre for Development Administration (CARICAD), hosted this Summit to present to regional Heads of Government the principles of 21st Century Government, the goal of which is to accelerate government and public service transformation and thereby strengthen economic competitiveness and promote sustainable development.

The feature address was delivered by Dr. The Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada and the CARICOM Head of Government who holds responsibility for science and technology.  Hon. Mitchell expressed his full support and endorsed the establishment of 21st Century Governments in the Caribbean.  He noted “21st Century Government principles are embedded in the Vision and Roadmap for the CARICOM Single ICT Space which was approved by CARICOM Heads of Government in February, 2017.  The 21st Century Government programme represents a significant step in the realisation of the vision for the Single ICT space by 2022.

During his address, Hon. Mitchell called on his regional counterparts to ‘take up the mantle to lead the transformation process’ and stated, “As leaders, we must lead the process.  That is our responsibility.  We must use our power to make the paradigm shift to break from our traditional mindset, practices and methods of engaging our citizens.  We must embrace information and communication technologies to transform and make the relationship with our government and citizens more effective and efficient.”

Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, the Hon. Gaston Browne, in his welcome address to his fellow Heads indicated his full support for the 21st Century Government initiative.   Prime Minister Browne stated “The Caribbean Telecommunication Union’s focus on 21st Century Government, starting with this Summit, is timely, welcomed and important.  My government fully supports this initiative, as is evident by the work already being undertaken through the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting, Telecommunications and Information Technology in Antigua and Barbuda.”  E-government services introduced in Antigua and Barbuda include border control and visa application systems, ASYCUDA World System, digitization and automation of business registries, onshore and offshore, land registry system and the driver’s license renewal system.

Hon. Astwood remarked, “This summit could not come at a better time for the Turks and Caicos, one of the aims of my government is to upgrade outdated systems, improve technology and create more innovative, technologically driven products and procedures across our Ministries.  Like other countries in the region, when it comes to technology we are desirous of implementing sustainable products that will bring us into the 21st Century.  The Ministry of Border Control and Employment recently unveiled its readable plastic card on January 15th, 2018 to replace the cumbersome work permit cards that has been in use over the past years, this is the first step in fully moving to an automated border control system.  This is just one of the many products that my government will introduce to The TCI.  Strides such as the one just mentioned will improve security, service, processes and efficiency in the country.  The Turks and Caicos is already known to be one of the most beautiful countries’ in the world and we are ready to make it one of the most advanced countries’ also.”

The representatives of Estonia, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Rein Lang, and of Georgia, Minister of Justice, Ms. Thea Tsulukiani, also gave outstanding presentations on what has been achieved in e-Government in their respective countries, both of which are rated in the top e-government countries in the world.

The Summit ended on a high note with a round-table discussion of Heads of Government who endorsed 21st Century Government. This set the stage for the three-day Symposium that followed.

Kind regards,

Hon Sean R. Astwood

Deputy Premier

Minister for Border Control and Employment