The Government of Saint Lucia and the Republic of China Taiwan are continuing in efforts to educate the public on and implement the application of Information and Communication Technology in Digital Capacity Building in Saint Lucia.

Director of the Division of Public Sector Modernization, Mr. Marlon Narcisse, has stated that the Government of Saint Lucia is utilizing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to provide digital services to the public, thus, making it easier for citizens to access information, government resources, and services online, ultimately improving digital literacy and capacity.

These applications are essential in equipping individuals and organizations with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the digital age and helps increase productivity and efficiency.

He said, “Our role here is to help the government build internal efficiency of its operations while at the same time extending services to the public using technologies. We also provide leadership and champion innovative solutions like the digiGov platform to guide the implementation of ICT and use that as our basis for digital transformation going forward. We want to essentially have a paradigm shift from long business hours, long processing times, long queues, silent operations, to a Saint Lucia where we have data only ones where persons can interactive government on their own time.”

The Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Taiwan Technical Mission in Saint Lucia have collaborated with the Government of Saint Lucia to launch the application of information and Communication Technology in Capacity Building Project.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of the Public Service, Home Affairs, Labor and Gender Affairs, Janet Barnard, highlighted some of the major benefits to be derived from using ICT.

“This project is a timely one as it will provide the support needed to implement several modernization initiatives within the Department of the Public Service under government of Saint Lucia,” Ms. Barnard said. “Also it will strengthen the development of the digital transformation talents required by industries and government units to meet the current and future economic needs of our island. Digital technology is rapidly developing diverse fields including mobile communications, robotics, artificial intelligence, the internet of things and 3D printing.”

The official launch of the application of ICT in Digital Capacity Building was held on Sep. 28.