Digital Economy in the Caribbean: Digital Integration (Universidad de La Habana)

Arguments

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the digital economy, contributing to exponential growth in technology, IT, economy, trade, and general communication.

Supporting facts:

• Dominican Republic increased greatly in 2020 in respect to e-commerce, around 80% compared to 2019.

• Digitalization of customer interaction, supply management and internal operations jumped by about four years due to the pandemic.

Topics: COVID-19 pandemic, digital economy, growth

Dominican Republic’s digital agenda for 2020-2030 aims to boost digital integration and collaboration in the Caribbean region.

Supporting facts:

• The agenda coincides with the sustainable development goals of the UN for the year 2030.

• The national objective 7.4 of the digital agenda states that the Dominican republic will be an important actor in the region regarding technology.

Topics: Dominican Republic, digital agenda

The national strategy for the export of modern services aims to take advantages of post-pandemic environment.

Supporting facts:

• The strategy has five main pillars: capacity building, norms and institutional pillar, investment and financing pillar, ecosystem pillar, and the promotion of markets pillar.

• 50% of the implementation level has been achieved across these pillars.

Topics: national strategy, modern services, post-pandemic environment

The National artificial intelligence strategy aims to make the Dominican Republic a hub for human talent and innovation in AI.

Supporting facts:

• The strategy has four pillars: a smart government, regional scale, hub for human talent and innovation, and data hub.

• One of the proposal is for a regional agreement in the Americas to establish an AI framework.

Topics: national artificial intelligence strategy, AI, innovation

Report

The Dominican Republic has experienced a significant surge in e-commerce, with a growth rate of 80% in 2020 compared to the previous year. This growth can be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has accelerated the digital economy, leading to advancements in technology, IT, economy, trade, and communication.

In line with the United Nations’ sustainable development goals for 2030, the Dominican Republic has introduced a digital agenda for 2020-2030. The objective of this agenda is to enhance digital integration and collaboration in the Caribbean region, positioning the country as a key player in the technology sector.

Additionally, the Dominican Republic’s national strategy for the export of modern services aims to take advantage of the post-pandemic environment. The strategy focuses on capacity building, norms and institutional development, investment and financing, ecosystem development, and the promotion of markets.

The country has achieved 50% implementation across these pillars. Furthermore, the Dominican Republic has developed a national artificial intelligence (AI) strategy with the goal of becoming a hub for human talent and innovation in AI. The strategy includes establishing a smart government, regional scalability, and a data hub.

The country also proposes a regional agreement in the Americas to establish an AI framework. Overall, the Dominican Republic is witnessing growth in e-commerce and digitalization, driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through its digital agenda, national strategy for modern services, and AI strategy, the country aims to capitalize on the post-pandemic environment and establish itself as a prominent player in the digital economy, regional collaboration, and AI innovation.

These initiatives demonstrate the country’s commitment to technology as a catalyst for economic growth and sustainable development.

Arguments

Georgina Németh tries to turn on the video, but it’s not functioning.

Supporting facts:

• Georgina is using a laptop, sees the interactive tab, but the video still doesn’t work

• She also tried using the other mouse

Topics: Technology, Conference

Digital economy plays a crucial role in socio-economic development

Supporting facts:

• Current world characterized by an enormous gap in digitalization between under-connected countries and hyper-digitalized countries

• Africa and Latin America represent less than 5% of the world’s blockade data centers

• The digital economy reinforcing the differences in socio-economic development between countries and regions

Topics: Digital Economy, Socio-economic development, Technological disparity

Access to technologies and forms of payment is often restricted by neoliberal hegemonic policies

Supporting facts:

• Application of unilateral coercive measures in the region such as the United States blockade imposed on Cuba

• Latin American and Caribbean region continues to lag behind in new technologies due to neoliberal hegemony

Topics: Neoliberalism, Access to technologies, Payment Restrictions

Need for policy implementations to boost digital economy in Latin America and the Carribean

Supporting facts:

• Implementation of more fair and equitable access policies for countries of the region

• Digital economy could represent opportunities for the countries of that region in their struggle to achieve sustainable development goals

Topics: Digital Economy, Latin America, Carribean, Policy implementation

Report

The analysis covers several key points discussed by various speakers. Firstly, Georgina Németh experienced technical difficulties with a video during a conference. She attempted to turn on the video but found that it was not functioning. Despite her efforts, including trying an alternative mouse, the video remained unresponsive.

This highlights the need for reliable and well-functioning technological infrastructure at conferences to ensure smooth and uninterrupted presentations. Moving on, it is highlighted that the digital economy plays a crucial role in socio-economic development. However, it also exacerbates income inequalities.

Currently, there is a significant gap in digitalisation between under-connected countries and hyper-digitalised countries. For example, Africa and Latin America only represent less than 5% of the world’s blockade data centres. The digital economy reinforces socio-economic disparities between countries and regions.

This underscores the importance of bridging the digital divide and ensuring equitable access to technology and digital resources for all. Additionally, it is mentioned that the global digital economy is primarily dominated by the United States and China. These two countries hold significant influence, with 55% of all patents related to blockchain technologies, 50% of global spending on the Internet of Things, and the majority share in the cloud computing market.

This concentration of power raises concerns about fairness and the potential for further widening income inequalities on a global scale. Furthermore, access to technologies and forms of payment is often restricted by neoliberal policies. The application of unilateral coercive measures, such as the United States blockade imposed on Cuba, hampers the ability of countries to adopt and integrate new technologies.

The Latin American and Caribbean region continues to lag behind due to the influence of neoliberal hegemony. This limitation underscores the need for more inclusive policies that ensure fair and equitable access to technologies and payment options across all regions.

The analysis also highlights the hindrance faced by Cuba in achieving technological sovereignty as a result of US policies. The US blockade acts as a major obstacle to Cuba’s economic and social development. Cuba is prevented from purchasing technology that contains more than 10% of United States technique.

This limitation severely affects Cuba’s ability to access and acquire cutting-edge technologies, hindering its progress towards technological independence. Finally, it is suggested that policy implementations are necessary to boost the digital economy in Latin America and the Caribbean. By implementing fair and equitable access policies for countries in the region, the digital economy can present opportunities for sustainable development.

These policies will help bridge the digital divide and support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. In conclusion, the analysis highlights the importance of reliable technological infrastructure at conferences, the role of the digital economy in socio-economic development, the concentration of digital power in the hands of a few nations, the impact of neoliberal policies on access to technology, the hindrance of technological sovereignty in Cuba, and the need for policy implementations to boost the digital economy in Latin America and the Caribbean.

By addressing these issues, we can work towards a more inclusive and equitable digital landscape.

Arguments

Digitalization is the most important trend in international trade but the Caribbean is still far from the world average.

Supporting facts:

• The Caribbean is behind in terms of global digitalization

• Services represent the main economic activity in the Caribbean

Topics: Digitalization, International Trade, Caribbean Economy

The Caribbean states need greater technological and digital integration to promote trade and provide new jobs.

Supporting facts:

• Small island economies require greater integration

• Digital integration can streamline procedures, shorten times, and allow greater trade volumes

Topics: Digital Integration, Caribbean Economy, Employment

Report

The Caribbean region is falling behind in terms of global digitalisation, which is widely recognised as the most important trend in international trade. The main economic activity in the Caribbean is services, highlighting the significance of digital integration and technological advancement in this sector.

However, the current state of digitalisation in the Caribbean is far from the global average. This negative sentiment is underscored by the fact that the region is facing challenges in keeping up with the pace of technological advancements. On a positive note, it is argued that the Caribbean states can foster trade and create new job opportunities by embracing greater technological and digital integration.

The integration of digital technologies can streamline procedures, shorten transaction times, and facilitate greater trade volumes, especially in small island economies. Through increased digital integration, the Caribbean can position itself better to benefit from the global trade opportunities that arise from digitalisation.

Moreover, implementing digital integration is seen as a solution to the challenges imposed by global crises and fiscal constraints. Caribbean countries, often burdened by high external debt, face difficulties in accessing financial resources on concessional terms due to their middle-income status.

By prioritising digital integration, the region can leverage technology to overcome such challenges and find innovative solutions to advance their economies. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has recognised the importance of digital transformation and has taken steps towards enhancing the region’s digital capabilities.

In 2014, the Digital Development Strategy was approved, and recently, in September 2021, CARICOM launched the Digital Skills Task Force. These initiatives underpin the commitment to driving digital transformation in the Caribbean and fostering economic growth and employment opportunities. In conclusion, it is evident that the Caribbean lags behind in global digitalisation, which is crucial for international trade.

However, there is a positive sentiment towards embracing greater technological and digital integration to promote trade and create new jobs. The implementation of digital integration is seen as a viable solution to overcome challenges imposed by global crises and fiscal constraints.

The CARICOM’s digital transformation plan is viewed as a significant step towards enhancing the region’s digital capabilities. By embracing digitalisation, the Caribbean has the potential to unlock economic growth and improve its overall competitiveness in the global market.

Report

During a video call, the speaker encountered difficulties with the interactive tab and sought assistance in locating the video button. They suggested that each participant individually activate their video on their respective devices. After resolving the technical issue, the speaker proceeded with testing the connection and confirmed the presence of five participants.

However, they faced further technical problems while attempting to run a PowerPoint presentation. Nevertheless, the speaker kindly offered to take control and successfully ran the presentation in full screen, ensuring automatic audio playback. The call ended with gratitude expressed towards the speaker for their help, and an acknowledgement of understanding.