Vincentians in New York briefed on Digital Transformation Project

VINCENTIANS IN THE NewYork have been told that the ease of doing business in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) is improving and will only get better with the implementation of the Caribbean Digital Transformation Project (CARDTP).

Speaking at a recent Invest SVG diaspora promotion in the USA themed, ‘Home is where the Heart Is’ Communications Officer for CARDTP Jennifer Richardson, told the audience that the government of SVG has taken the initiative to modernize the public service by bringing it into the digital world and improve the way business is done between the government and citizens. This will make it more efficient and transparent.

Richardson explained that modernisation is being done through a project called the Caribbean Digital Transformation Project (CARDTP), which also has a regional component based at the OECS Secretariat in Saint Lucia, with Dominica, Saint Lucia, and Grenada, also implementing the project, a CARDTP release states.

CARDTP focuses on upgrading digital infrastructure, enhancing government to citizen services, promoting digital skills among the population, and implementing advanced cybersecurity measures.

Those attending the forum heard that CARDTP is bringing major improvements to how the government’s services are delivered in SVG, and they can look forward to faster, more efficient services available online, 24 hours a day, 7-days a week. By reducing the need for in-person visits and paperwork for example, these changes will save time and provide more convenient options for interacting with the government.

CARDTP is also creating opportunities for Vincentians to develop new skills in digital technologies, opening pathways to employment and helping businesses adapt to an increasingly connected economy, the release further states.

Richardson outlined to the audience that the project has eight foundation components, among them being the Vincy Single Window for Trade (VSWIFT). She explained that this includes 16 partner agencies working together, the lead agency being the Customs and Excise Department. Richardson pointed out that VSWIFT will enable reliable digital services that seek to ensure higher compliance, transparency, and ease of doing business as it relates to the import and export of goods in SVG.

The other components are, the Single Window for land and property transactions being led by the Land and Surveys Department, and E-Tax being led by the Inland Revenue Department with the implementation of the TIMS, a new Tax Information Management System. Another important component mentioned was the UID, Unique Identifier, being led by the Civil Registry which will see all Vincentians being given a unique ID number which they will use to access government services online and which will be used to authenticate one’s identity when trying to access government services.