COUNTRY FOCUS : CARIBBEAN
Roseau , Dominica
While the project countries are recognised as having made some strides in developing their digital foundations , most notably in upgrading digital infrastructure , the World Bank says more remains to be done .
At present , Eastern Caribbean countries are acknowledged as continuing to lag significantly across most of the digital economy foundations , as well as in comparison to peers at similar levels of socioeconomic development .
Issues identified include :
• Access to broadband is still challenging with service quality unreliable
• An ‘ urgent need ’ to modernize the legal , regulatory and institutional frameworks governing the region ’ s telecommunications sector
• Utilization and acceptance of digital payments is very low across the region , limiting financial inclusion .
• Regulatory bottlenecks and weaknesses in the region ’ s payment system infrastructure inhibit digital financial services innovation , affordability and uptake .
• Critical networks , information systems and online transactions remain insecure and vulnerable to cyberattack , fraud and natural disasters .
• The region lacks a comprehensive cybersecurity or data protection framework , including policy , legislation and regulation at regional and national levels .
• Governments have yet to fully take advantage of improved connectivity to modernize their internal operations , improve the efficiency and convenience of accessing public services and ensure continuity of operations in the wake of natural disasters and pandemics .
• Awareness of the potential benefits of digital technologies and business models and the skills , comfort and financial resources to deploy them are lacking – particularly among small and medium enterprise management
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