December 2, 2016:
Through its Global Services Promotion Programme, the Ministry of Planning and Development hosted a two day training session for students from UWI, UTT and COSTAAT on November 29, with local entrepreneurs and stakeholders in the Information Technology enabled Services (ITeS) and IT sectors on November 30.
Mr. Tracy Hackshaw, Programme Manager of the Global Services Promotion Programme said the first day’s activity was aimed at improving the quantity of students in the IT sector as well as the quality of their skills in order to close the gap between education and employment. The second day of training involved local entrepreneurs and IT professionals gaining insights into technology to enhance their trade and businesses using cutting edge web and mobile application technology. The Global Services Promotion Programme is a key area for economic diversification focusing on the enhancement of the local IT sector while providing opportunities for greater access to the global digital economy.
Mr Antonio Guzman, Google Development Expert and Mr Francisco Solsona Regional & Accelerator Lead for Spanish and Latin America Google Developers facilitated the sessions providing information firebase app technology, Google app platform technology, accelerated mobile app technology and progressive web applications. The content is being delivered through presentations, workshops, mentoring and networking sessions aimed at further reinforcing the skills of the local ICT and ITeS sectors. This is the first of many initiatives that will be rolled out by the Global Services Promotional Programme.
The general objective of the Global Services Promotion Programme is to support the advancement of Trinidad and Tobago as a potential leader for the global provision of Information Technology enabled Services (ITeS). The expected impacts are increased exports and employment in the IT enabled Services sector which can be accomplished through sector-specific training and support services, investment promotion and branding, as well as capacity building to improve the business climate and regulatory framework of ITeS in Trinidad and Tobago. Beneficiaries of such a Programme are students, the unemployed and underemployed who will receive training at the Global Services Internationalization Hub; exporting ITeS companies who require additional qualified labour to scale their exports; and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) who wish to increase their export capacity. This Programme has been made available from Inter-American Bank (IDB) loan and grant funding.
Why is Trinidad and Tobago poised to be a major player in the global digital economy?
When selecting an investment destination for the Information Technology enabled services industry, a Duke University study found foreign investors consider five variables: (1) the country’s cost structure (wages, infrastructure use, taxes); (2) the current and potential availability of qualified human capital; (3) the country’s business climate (political stability, regulatory environment); (4) infrastructure quality; and (5) geographical and cultural proximity.
In this context and based on the opportunity presented for Trinidad and Tobago to diversify the economy and develop the IT enabled services sector as an overall competitive destination, the IDB commissioned a study to investigate the potential of Trinidad and Tobago in establishing a services outsourcing industry, the following were identified as Trinidad and Tobago’s Competitive Advantage in the ITeS sector:
• Geographic proximity to major target markets and the country has a similar time zone to the US and Canada - the world’s largest markets for ITeS.
• Language and familiarity with culture of the target markets
• Economic stability
• Education system and quality of human capital
END
For further information, please contact:
Corporate Communications Department
Ministry of Planning & Development
Tel: (868) 627-9700 ext 1457