PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Tricia Balthazar            
+ 1 (868) 329 4207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

CANTO 28th AGM Climaxes with Review of IDB/CANTO Broadband Forum Projects  

[Delegates at CANTO’s 28th AGM.  From left (seated)   T. Wankin, K.Bevans, D. Currie, Hon. Sarah Wescott- Williams-Prime Minister of St. Maarten,  R. Boasman - Chairman of Telem’s Supervisory Board of Directors, H. Etnel, J.Rodrigues and C. McKay]

The island of St. Maarten was a hive of activity when CANTO and Telem co-hosted CANTO’s 28th Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort.  The meeting was conducted from the 29th-31st January, 2012 under the theme “Accelerating the Broadband Experience in the Caribbean -Transforming the way we live”. The three day meeting focused on the AGM proceedings of CANTO and CANTO/IDB Broadband Forum project.

The meeting commenced on Sunday under the distinguished patronage of the Prime Minister of St. Maarten, Hon. Sarah Wescott-Williams', and the Minister of Telecommunications of St. Maarten, Hon. Franklyn Meyers.  The Prime Minister, Hon. Sarah Wescott-Williams, in her feature address, welcomed the delegates and stressed that the AGM theme of CANTO came at an opportune time, when persons look towards the rapid advances and future prospects of technology in particular, for ways and means to address some of the world's most daunting problems.  She reminded the delegates that National telecoms have a role to play where this is concerned and that they should not only focus on the bottom line.  Hon. Wescott-Williams emphasized that connecting the Caribbean can be a helpful tool in bridging the digital divide. This can be achieved by promoting broadband access to the maximum of Caribbean citizens, in the most effective way possible and utilizing the infrastructure and investments in increased bandwidth that this region can currently boast of and that St. Maarten is one such a hub for technological expansions in the region.

The Chairman of CANTO, Dirk Currie in his opening remarks reminded the delegates that CANTO’s theme of "Accelerating broadband experience in the Caribbean” should fuel CANTO   nations and that the respective member nations should benefit from the existence and adoption of innovative ways through technology. Mr. Currie added that technology should be employed and made available to our citizens especially the youth. Mr. Currie further articulated that all users should be well educated so that they can really experience the benefits of these technologies that are available. He added that with the key strategic objectives, CANTO is better equipped to withstand the winds of change, as all members come together in a united front.  

The acting Secretary General of CANTO, Mrs. Teresa Wankin (HR & Operations Manager) also addressed the delegates on behalf of the Secretary General and highlighted the full slate of activities planned for 2012 including the upcoming Annual Conference and Trade Exhibition in Miami from 22nd- 25th July 2012.  Mrs. Wankin outlined some the key issues which would be addressed at the AGM including  new and existing services to better serve the membership, identifying training needs and strategic partnerships that support the goals of CANTO. The Board discussed the activities of the Secretariat in 2011, and created a working plan for the 2012 financial year.  The five working committees namely, Marketing and Communication, Human Resources, Regulation & Emerging Technologies, Financial Advisory and Disaster Recovery Planning were well attended and activities for 2012 were identified.  

During the AGM proceedings the following directors were elected:
Newly Elected 
• E. Jay  Saunders, General Manager, Digicel Turks & Caicos
Re-elected 
• Linus Rogers, TSTT (Trinidad &Tobago); Julian Wilkins, Digicel Trinidad & Tobago; Lawrence McNaughton, Cable & Wireless Grenada; Lyrio Gomez, UTS (Curacao) and Davidson Charles, Cable & Wireless Antigua. Mr Charles was also re-elected as Treasurer.

The other directors, Chairman, Dirk Currie, TELESUR (Suriname), Vice Chair, Karen Bevans, BTL (Belize) and Helma Etnel, Telem (St. Maarten) continue to serve as directors. 
The AGM climaxed with the review of CANTO/IDB Broadband Forum Projects on Tuesday.  The forum was a follow up to the successful CANTO/IDB Broadband Forum held in Miami in November of 2011 and provided an opportunity for CANTO to give members an update.  The session was facilitated by Glenda Medford of GEMFORD Consultancy Services Inc. who provided an overview of the broadband forum and the projects which were identified. Ms. Medford also advised members about the upcoming ITU Connect the Americas Summit to be held in Panama on 17th -19th July 2012 and the opportunity which it provided for regional projects which connected the Caribbean to be funded. An energetic brainstorming session among participants produced an array of suggestions and projects. This session was co-facilitated by Mrs. Melisia Sutherland-Campbell of Cable & Wireless Jamaica and Mrs. Teresa Wankin of CANTO. The event was well attended and consensus was achieved.  Documents from the various sessions are posted on CANTO’s website - www.canto.org.28agm 
End.