Govt. committed to the development of a digital economy – Ministry Official

Director General in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Mr. Vivian Brown says that from a policy perspective, the Government of Jamaica is committed to the development of a digital economy. He noted that not only will digital technology drive the growth of the economy, but in itself drive the transformation of the economy.
The director general was representing Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda at a Consumer Affairs Commission’s World Consumer Rights Day 2018 Seminar and Exhibition, held at the Knutsford Court Hotel, New Kingston on March 15, 2018.

Mr. Brown further noted that, “in my opinion, if the National Identification System (NIDS), becomes a reality it will be a powerful transformation tool in terms of how we do business in this country; how Government to Government transacts business and how we as consumers deal with other companies and the Government”.

He disclosed that the country’s Information Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure and its physical location have placed Jamaica in a position to significantly increase trade and commercial ties and pursue its growth agenda.

“In fact, Jamaica is the first Caribbean country to introduce an e-gov platform to facilitate improved connection with, and provide service to, its citizens. Jamaica has indeed embraced the digital economy”, the director general said.

In the meantime, chairman of the CAC, Mr. Kent Gammon informed that the digital economy is now growing so fast and that it represents 22.5% of the world’s economy, which is US$74 trillion. “This is the kind of effect the digital economy is now having in terms of trade and services across the world”, Mr. Gammon added.
Jamaica on March 15 joined the rest of the world in observing World Consumer Rights Day, with a seminar and an exhibition, which involved presentations from experts, professionals, legislators and service providers, discussing the impact of the digital marketplace on the lives of consumers in terms of access, security and protection.

Each year, on this day, the global consumer movement unites around a common theme geared towards safeguarding consumers’ welfare. This year the theme chosen by Consumers International (CI) the world federation of consumer groups, comprising 240 member organizations in 120 countries, is “Making Digital Marketplace Fairer: Access, Security and Protection”.

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