The Government of the Virgin Islands in collaboration with the Caribbean Telecommunications Union is conducting a series of stakeholders meetings to review the e-Government suite of legislation.

The consultations commenced on January 6 and come on the heels of the first reading of the e-Government Bills introduced by the Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie on December 17.

The Bills include: Data Protection Bill 2019, Electronic Filing Bill 2019, Electronic Funds Transfer Bill 2019, Electronic Transactions Bill 2019, and Archives and Records Management Act, 2010.

Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office, Mr. Kedrick Malone stated that the suite of legislation, once passed in the House of Assembly and assented to, will enable policy, legal and regulatory environment and promote Information Communications and Technology (ICT) and ICT enabled activities.

Mr. Malone said, “Government is pressing ahead with its overall digital transformation agenda which includes e-Government services and so it is imperative that the legislation referred to above is enacted as soon as practicable.”

The suite of Bills are also considered the minimum legislation necessary to adequately govern a digital environment within the Territory, including the provision for e-Government services.

 The consultations with all relevant stakeholder groups will be both internal and external to Government and includes members of the House of Assembly, Government officials and the private sector.  Persons who are interested in making a contribution to the discussion can also forward their input to the Premier’s Office by January 15 ahead of the bills returning to the House of Assembly for their final readings. More information on the communication channel recommended will be forthcoming.

The e-Government suite of legislation is said to be important to many of the deliverables outlined in the 2020 budget and the Territory in the long term. This suite of legislation will be supported by a strong National Information and Communications Technology policy, strategy and action plan that would support the fast track of the Territory’s recovery, development and growth, and revolutionise the delivery of Government services.

Attached:

• Photo 1:1- Stakeholder meeting with Caribbean Telecommunications Union and the Premier’s Office Management team on January 6, 2020.