分类： Technology

**NASSAU, The Bahamas (July 16th, 2025)** — Caribbean ICT ministers have expressed their support for a bold vision to accelerate national digital transitions, calling for enhanced collaboration, diversified infrastructure, and people‑centric innovation.

Speaking on the theme “Beyond Connectivity: Charting the Next Frontier in National Digital Transition” at CANTO’s 40th Annual Conference & Trade Exhibition at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, regional decision‑makers outlined strategies to drive economic resilience and social inclusion across every island.

“We must treat technology as an industry in its own right, not merely as a tool,” said Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Tourism of The Bahamas.

Pointing to initiatives in tech tourism, smart‑city programs, and innovation hubs, Cooper emphasized the need to retain homegrown talent and leverage the region’s proximity to the United States by expanding data‑centre capacity and pursuing true digital independence.

“Traditionally, we have used technology as a means to an end, but if we are going to continue the growth, the advancement and being competitive, we must look at it as an industry that wants to maintain our best minds in the region to ensure that we are advancing our place in the world and we are truly moving towards digital independence,” he said.

Charles Cooper, Curaçao’s Minister of Traffic, Transport & Urban Planning, described his government’s $25 million investment in a second subsea cable to reduce dependence on a single provider.

“We are also automating government services and embracing satellite communications, so we are safeguarding our future against technological disruption,” he explained, underscoring Curaçao’s commitment to e‑government and digital education.

From the Cayman Islands, The Hon. Ralston Anglin, Minister of Finance and Economic Development and Minister of Education and Training, highlighted digital equity in schools.

“Every student now receives a tablet and access to interactive teaching tools. Equity is particularly important, and we’ve rolled out a device for students and it starts at reception,” he said.

Anglin also announced plans to deploy AI in government accounting to streamline operations and enhance service delivery, stressing that “technology delivers real‑life outcomes, especially for students with special needs. Many of these students cannot communicate in the traditional sense and using technology is one of the keys ways of helping them to lead a meaningful life.”

Completing the panel, The Hon. Diallo Rabain, Bermuda’s Minister of Digital Innovation, unveiled his government’s “one‑stop shop” portal for citizen services.

“We are transforming paper‑based processes into seamless digital transactions,” he noted, acknowledging that early opposition was overcome through collaboration and training that turned sceptics into skilled practitioners.

“It is imperative that we all look towards the future and embrace this technology that is being afforded to us, not just as a fear, but as something that can be used to enhance what we do and allow us to do other things even more efficiently,” he said.

Throughout the discussion, ministers agreed that a single CARICOM ICT space – with harmonized spectrum policies, cross‑border digital identity, and robust cybersecurity – will be crucial for building a truly gigabit‑enabled Caribbean. Their collective call to action resonated across CANTO’s halls: the region’s digital future hinges on shared vision, strategic investment, and an unwavering commitment to inclusion.

The Honourable Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada and CARICOM’s lead Head of Government for Science and Technology, has shared a vision for a single CARICOM ICT Space.

In delivering the keynote address at CANTO’s 40th Annual Conference at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, her urged heads of government, industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to seize this milestone moment to reimagine and accelerate the digital future of the region.

“This gathering isn’t just a celebration of four decades of collaboration; it’s a moment to take stock of how far we’ve come and to ask bold questions about where we go next,” he said.

Drawing on his dual responsibilities as Grenada’s head of state and CARICOM’s ICT leader, Mitchell outlined Grenada’s national strategy across five pillars – digital government, resilient infrastructure, secure digital identity, a thriving digital economy, and universal inclusion. He emphasized that progress in Grenada is inseparable from regional unity.

“Building a single CARICOM ICT space will harmonize regulations, enable seamless data flows, and protect our collective sovereignty. Only by speaking with one voice can we bridge fragmented markets and unlock the full promise of a gigabit‑enabled Caribbean,” he said.

Mitchell also highlighted global digital trends and emerging technologies such as AI, quantum computing, 5G, and blockchain that are reshaping economies today, not tomorrow.

“The question is not if we will participate in this revolution, but how – and on whose terms,” he said. He identified urgent priorities such as ensuring satellite connectivity for disaster resilience, establishing a federated cloud that respects regional data laws, embedding trust through digital ID and fraud prevention, and embracing open Radio Access Networks (RAN) and interoperable 5G rollouts.

“Governments cannot deliver this transformation alone. The private sector must move beyond service provision to become genuine partners in policy, infrastructure investment, and inclusive growth. Your success is the success of our societies, and we must share responsibility for expanding access, sharing infrastructure, and upskilling our youth,” he said.

Liberty Caribbean is the headline sponsor of CANTO’s milestone conference that has convened leaders from telecom, government, and technology under the theme is ‘Towards a Unified and Sustainable Caribbean Gigabit Society’.

CANTO is a non-profit association made up of operators, organizations, companies, and individuals primarily focused on leading the information and communications technology (ICT) sector across the Caribbean region and the Americas.

Leading telecom provider Liberty Caribbean has underscored the urgency of forging new public-private partnerships, infrastructure initiatives, and policy frameworks to build a Caribbean that is resilient, inclusive, and gigabit‑capable.

“Today we stand at an inflection point. We have the vision and now we must translate our dialogue into public-private partnerships, joint infrastructure projects, and policy frameworks that will deliver a truly gigabit-enabled Caribbean – one that’s resilient, inclusive, and sustainable by design,” said Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer, Liberty Caribbean.

Smidts delivered the opening address at the 40th Annual CANTO Conference & Trade Exhibition, currently underway at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar in Nassau, The Bahamas.

Liberty Caribbean is the headline sponsor of the milestone event that has convened leaders from telecom, government, and technology sectors under the unifying theme ‘Towards a Unified and Sustainable Caribbean Gigabit Society’.

“CANTO has been an engine for transformation. It provides us with a forum to collaborate on policy, regulation, investment, and innovation. This is where real progress happens – not in isolation, but in shared dialogue and united action,” added Smidts.

She identified six critical priorities to guide this transformation: ensuring universal gigabit connectivity for education and healthcare; delivering smart, cloud-powered public services; harnessing IoT for hospitality and tourism innovation; developing hurricane-resilient infrastructure; embracing green ICT operations with sustainable networks; and securing equitable digital access for every Caribbean community.

“Together, we will shape the digital strategies that benefit all Caribbean communities – from the most remote isles to the dynamic city centres,” said Smidts.

“Let this fortieth anniversary be more than a milestone. Let it be a launchpad as we step confidently towards a unified and sustainable Caribbean gigabit society. We are stronger island to island, shoreline to shoreline, when we stand together. Thank you to CANTO for four decades of steadfast leadership and to all our industry partners and stakeholders for their unwavering collaboration.”

CANTO is the region’s premier telecoms conference that brings together regional heads of state and government, along with regulators, telecom operators, and other key stakeholders to network, build alliances, review policy, and share best practices as it relates to the regional telecoms sector.

Liberty Caribbean will host several discussions and events during the conference to shine the spotlight on important industry topics including digital sustainability, cybersecurity and the rise of AI, sustainable infrastructure development, strategies for equitable access to broadband services, and empowering an inclusive digital economy.

Featured company speakers include Neda Brown, Senior Director, Regulatory & Government Affairs; Sameer Bhatti, CEO, BTC; Aamir Hussain, SVP, Chief Technology and Product Officer, Liberty Latin America; Shelton Flash, Director, Liberty Business (North Caribbean); Desron Bynoe, VP & General Manager, Barbados; Felipe Ruiz, VP, Information Security, Liberty Latin America; Stephen Price, VP & General Manager, Jamaica; Rhys Campbell, Director, Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation; Carol Robertson, Senior Business Development Partner, Liberty Caribbean; and Darron Turnquest, Director, People, Liberty Caribbean.

CANTO is a non-profit association made up of operators, organizations, companies, and individuals primarily focused on leading the information and communications technology (ICT) sector across the Caribbean region and the Americas.