CANTO continues to drive the Connect the Caribbean message to promote regional economic development through the Connect the Caribbean project. Broadband has emerged as an important enabler of economic development and a critical tool for facilitating innovation and creating jobs even in these recessionary times. Indeed, according to the report issued by the Broadband Commission, nearly all studies suggest positive returns can be expected from investment in broadband infrastructure. For example, an analysis for the European Commission estimates that broadband can create more than two million jobs in Europe by 2015, and an increase in GDP of at least EUR 636 billion. A study in Brazil reported that broadband added up to 1.4% to the employment growth rate. In Thailand, where in 2010 only some 3% of households have broadband and 12% of individuals, it has nevertheless been forecast that broadband could add nearly one per cent to the country’s GDP growth rate. It is important for similar studies to be conducted in the Caribbean so that we can strategically create action plans for the betterment of the region and our people.

With the long anticipated Connect the Americas Summit taking place in Panama City from 17th -19th July 2012, CANTO in conjunction with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), is hosting an important Forum at the Hyatt Regency, Miami on 8th November 2011, for regional governments and private sector leaders in ICT to review the state of connectivity in the region, discuss next steps to accelerate the deployment of and usage of broadband and agree on the key outcomes which are desired for the region at the Summit of the Americas where distinguished potential investors and drivers of innovation in technology are expected to be in attendance. The Forum is seen as a critical step towards developing a common action plan for both the private and public sector and we therefore invite you to be a participant in that discussion.

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