Parliament Approves Borrowing of $77 Million for Digital Economy Initiatives

Barbara 26th October, 2020

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Parliament has signed off on borrowing more than EC$77 million for the development of the digital economy in the country. According to the white paper for the programme presented to parliament, the Minister for Public Works and the Digital Economy, Cassanni Laville, the development of the digital economy is instrumental to the pursuits of the DLP government to make Dominica the first climate-resilient country in the world.

Laville explained that investing heavily in the digital economy will serve to increase productivity across the board, enhance job efficiency, modernize the economy, and digitally empower Dominicans to do more through the application of modern technologies. The minister said digital economy is not restricted to the use of the Internet for business and government purposes, but it cuts across empowering individuals and business organizations as well as government institutions to revolutionize how things are done in the country.

“This new thrust will provide the opportunity to build a future in which seamless and efficient public services are available at the touch of a screen from even the most remote locations, where individuals are equipped with the technology and soft skills to find meaningful employment in the knowledge and services driven global economy,” Laville stated.

The minister revealed that lack of digitization has subjected the government to endogenous shocks occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic and hurricanes that befell the country in recent years. He said the shocks limit progressive businesses in the public and private sectors, and that the ability of people to carry out business transactions using digital and contactless methods has been reduced because of the limitations brought about by the pandemic and lack of digitization in the country.