Belize to accelerate digital government transformation with support from the Inter-American Development Bank
The Central Information Technology Office (CITO), in collaboration with the Office of the Prime Minister and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), conducted a workshop on Thursday, November 28, 2019, with senior public sector officials, municipalities and private sector entities to discuss the implementation of the E-Government Policy, Strategy and Work Plan and to engage stakeholders as a means of sharing ideas and gathering requirements for the formulation of the E-Government Roadmap.
In 2015, the Government of Belize endorsed the National E-Government Policy, Strategy and Action Plan in an effort to leverage the power of information and communications technology (ICT) as a driver of economic and social development, and improving the lives of citizens. This policy lays out specific actions to eliminate existing bureaucratic silos, modernize the Government’s ICT frameworks and infrastructure, upgrade the digital skills of public officers, and improve the way Government conducts its business, among others.
At the core of Belize’s digital transformation is the need for the building of a National Identification and Citizen Registry to enable access of public and private services through a digital platform. The Government further acknowledges the importance of citizen security measures, public and private infrastructure, human capacity and an enabling regulatory framework as key to the growth of a holistic and resilient e-government in Belize.
“The IDB strongly believes in the power of emerging technologies as a catalyst for a more effective, efficient, and transparent government management and is pleased to support the Government’s efforts in digital government transformation,” said Cassandra T. Rogers, the IDB Country Representative for Belize. “As Belizeans increasingly become digital citizens, these efforts will be ever more worthwhile, and will have a significant impact not only on the internal functioning of government but will also increase trust in the state.”
