Information Technology Minister Melford Nicholas has proposed establishing a technology park in Antigua and Barbuda to attract companies, create opportunities for University of the West Indies graduates and develop software for regional export.
Speaking on Taking Stock on Pointe FM on Nov. 10, Nicholas said providing suitable buildings, amenities and economic incentives could encourage technology businesses to establish operations locally.
“We could build a modern IT park with buildings and amenities and offer incentives for them to be able to arrive here and hire the people from the University of the West Indies and build IT solutions right here,” he said.
Nicholas argued that Antigua and Barbuda already has the internet connectivity and intellectual capacity needed to support such businesses. Attracting companies would also require identifying potential investors and offering an environment in which they could operate successfully.
He compared the proposal to the industrial park model previously used to attract manufacturers, where premises and incentives helped businesses establish operations.
Nicholas said Antiguan technology developers living abroad could provide a starting point for building the industry.
He recounted meeting an Antiguan developer based in Canada who had presented a possible solution for the country’s 911 project, alongside other technology services.
The minister also identified the ArriveAntigua platform as an example of a product whose underlying technology could potentially be adapted for other Caribbean countries.
A planned artificial intelligence platform for preparing Cabinet minutes and issuing decisions could offer another opportunity for regional expansion, he said.
Nicholas argued that developing systems locally would help reduce dependence on overseas providers and lengthy contractual arrangements, while allowing more of the economic benefits to remain in Antigua and Barbuda.
“We have the competence to be able to build our own IT solutions,” he said.
Nicholas did not announce a site, budget or construction timetable for the proposed technology park.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Technology park proposed to attract firms and create jobs in Antigua and Barbuda.