Belize will be the host for a regional three-day workshop focusing on the development of an Institutional Framework for Effective Implementation of National ICT Policy and E-Government Strategy to meet the common and diverse needs of the region. The Caribbean Center for Development Administration (CARICAD) as part of its mandate to drive the advancement of e-Government in the Caribbean region, is partnering with the Government of Belize for the hosting of this workshop, to be held at the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza in June, 2009.

CARICAD was established in 1980 by an agreement among CARICOM Community (CARICOM) and provides technical assistance to support member governments in their quest to improve efficiency through initiatives which seek to transform and modernize the public sector.

The initiative being proposed is a major step in a relationship of capacity building, collaboration, and information sharing including possible technology transfer between Caribbean countries.

Over the three days of the workshop, the participants will focus on four major dimensions including:

¨ A comparative Review of Institutional Frameworks for ICT and E-Government in several Caribbean territories including Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Grenada, Belize and Trinidad and Tobago.

¨ Analysis of Nomenclature/Job Titles of Public Sector ICT Positions and Rationalizing of the Public Sector ICT Professional Stream/Career Paths.

¨ The sharing of expert opinion and recommendations on best practices in the development of an Institutional framework for Effective Implementation of National ICT Policy and E-Government Strategy.

The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Cooperation Project between the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Belize envisions an ICT Center to be established jointly in Belmopan in the near future by the two governments.During the period 27 - 29 May 2009, President of the Republic China (Taiwan) MaYing-jeou visited Belize and signed onto a bilateral agreement on ICT with the Government of Belize. One such assistance deriving from the agreement is the aforementioned ICT Center.

This initiative serves to show that both governments recognize the importance of utilizing ICT to enhance government efficiency, to improve competitiveness and to further advance national sustainable development. With this common understanding, both governments will cooperate in ICT, with the Republic of China (Taiwan) applying its advanced ICT abilities to assist the Government of Belize in promoting and establishing an information society.

In show of moving the ICT Center project forward, the ground breaking ceremony was incorporated into President MaYing's visit. Just before President MaYing and Prime Minister of Belize, Honorable Dean Borrow shoveled the sand, Minister of the Public Service Governance Improvement and Elections & Boundaries, Honorable John Saldivar gave the Welcome Address commemorating this very important milestone for the government and people of Belize. This initiative is expected to contribute to the improvement of processes for better public administration and service delivery to citizens.

The ICT Center is designed to:

¨ Host and optimize government of Belize web portal and other websites for ministries and departments of Government;

¨ Develop and host software applications for departments and agencies of the Government via secure systems;

¨ Provide ICT education and training to improve the quality of human resources at various levels and ¨ Provide conference room facilities with video conferencing services;