AMCHAM: Government must make digital transformation top priority

AMCHAM T&T is calling on the newly sworn Government, headed by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, to make the digital transformation of Trinidad and Tobago a top priority.

AMCHAM T&T is calling on the newly sworn Government, headed by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, to make the digital transformation of Trinidad and Tobago a top priority.

The call was made in an official statement issued by AMCHAM T&T today, in which it extends congratulations to the Prime Minister and the PNM in winning the 2020 General Election, and pledges to work with the Rowley Administration to improve business scene in this country.

In the release, AMCHAM T&T says:

“We are greatly encouraged by the explicit addition of the Digital Transformation title to the Ministry of Public Administration and Digital Transformation… With COVID-19 still a real threat, we believe a large part of the solution to securing our nation’s economy lies in the swift digital transformation in both the public and private sectors.”

The business lobby also is urging the Rowley Administration to prioritise and fast-track several pieces of legislation critical to the smooth running of business and good corporate governance, including the full implementation of the Public Procurement Bill.

The full text of the AMCHAM statement, follows…

AMCHAM T&T CONGRATULATES DR THE HON KEITH ROWLEY AND THE PNM ON ELECTION VICTORY

AMCHAM T&T would like to congratulate Dr the Hon Keith Rowley and the People’s National Movement (PNM) on their victory at the polls on 10 August 2020. We look forward to working collaboratively with the new Government to improve the business environment to foster greater economic growth and overall social development.

We also extend congratulations to all newly elected members of Parliament and to the recently appointed Senators and Ministers of Government. We look forward to working with them all on legislative and policy matters.

We note with some degree of pride, that our country can continue to boast of political stability even during periods in which election results are not declared immediately.

We believe this second consecutive term of government should provide the government greater incentive to engage in a robust legislative agenda that would radically transform our society by greatly improving the ease of doing business and the quality of life for all citizens.

Specifically, we are looking forward to the prioritization and fast-tracking of the full implementation of the Public Procurement Bill, The Bail Amendment Bill, Transformed Tax Collection and Administration, Customs and Immigration transformation, including full implementation of the ASYCUDA system.

As we continue to manage the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we look forward to meaningful dialogue and engagement with the incoming government particularly on issues related to trade and investment opportunities, legislative reform, maintaining law and order, and the plans for the digital transformation of our entire society. In that regard, we are greatly encouraged by the explicit addition of the Digital Transformation title to the Ministry of Public Administration and Digital Transformation.

We are grateful to both parties for placing such high importance to the digital economy as a matter of priority in their campaigns this year and we trust that Government will stay true to their commitment to delivering this digital governance agenda to our citizens and that the Opposition will constructively support this objective.

AMCHAM T&T has been a long proponent of digital transformation as we have repeatedly called for a legal digital identity, single national identification number, full acceptance of electronic signatures by the GORTT and to fully implement the legislative arrangements and processes for e-payments. With COVID-19 still a real threat, we believe a large part of the solution to securing our nation’s economy lies in the swift digital transformation in both the public and private sectors.

Our country and indeed the world is in a very unstable, uncertain place. To ensure we are successful in meeting the myriad of challenges before us, we believe this moment in our nation’s history requires collaborative, bold and clear leadership that truly addresses the real issues affecting the lives of citizens.

We, therefore, repeat our often-made call that the government and opposition put aside petty differences and work towards leading the meaningful change that will improve the quality of life for our citizens. It is our hope and, indeed, expectation of all government and state officials that their stewardship will be underpinned by the principles of transparency, adherence to the rule of law, respect for labour, and management of the environment.

As always, we stand ready, willing, and able to collaborate to achieve these objectives.

CNC3 Editor
WRITTEN BY

CNC3 Editor

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