News
February 25, 2014

SVG to hold Innovation Workshop

Efforts to harness innate creativity and stimulate a culture of innovation continue here with a National Technology Innovation Workshop, tomorrow February 26th 2014.{{more}}

The workshop is part of the ongoing Caribbean Communications Infrastructure Program (CARCIP), coordinated regionally by the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU). Roxanne John, based at Telecommunications, Science and Technology in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Commerce and Information Technology, is coordinating CARCIP in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

“We are very proud to host this Innovation Workshop and look forward to discovering new ways to apply technology to everyday challenges,” John said.

Through CARCIP and with the support of the CTU, the governments of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada and St Lucia have been working toward harmonising the development of their telecommunications infrastructure to maximise synergies and avoid inefficiencies. CARCIP addresses gaps in submarine cable infrastructure and landing stations, domestic backbone networks, national Internet exchange points (IXPs) and supports the Government’s efforts to nurture local innovation and strengthen the country’s entrepreneurial base.

CTU project coordinator Junior McIntyre described the scope of the overall CARCIP project as “comprehensive.”

“The ultimate aim of CARCIP is to improve the efficiency of telecommunications infrastructure development not just in St Vincent, but across the whole Caribbean. The lessons we learn in St Vincent will benefit the entire region,” McIntyre said.

The World Bank-funded programme was allocated a total disbursement of US$25 million, including loans to the three countries and a grant to the CTU. In recognition of the critical requirement to promote innovation in Caribbean societies, the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank is working along with the CTU and other stakeholders within the Caribbean region to support a regional approach towards technology-driven innovation.