St. George’s – 17 March 2011 - The Caribbean ICT Roadshow, an initiative of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), is being hosted in Grenada from the 16^th to 19^th May 2011. This represents the 15^th Caribbean country in which this initiative will take place. The Roadshow seeks to promote the innovative use of information and communication technology (ICT) across all sectors of social and economic activity.  The Government of Grenada, through the Office of the Prime Minister is partnering with the CTU on this initiative.  The Roadshow places a strong emphasis on meaningful ICT activities that deliver tangible benefits to Caribbean citizens.  A number of national, regional and international speakers are slated to participate.

The CTU, a regional inter-governmental organization based in Trinidad & Tobago, has designed the Roadshow specifically to educate, raise public awareness and establish strategic programmes to foster innovative and beneficial use of ICT in Caribbean.

Bernadette Lewis, Secretary General of the CTU points out that “we are only scratching the surface of what the technology can do for us. ICT empowers citizens to create content that can be showcased to the world and opens up new opportunities for jobs and businesses".

Loretta Simon, Director of ICT in the Office of the Prime Minister, states that “Every Grenadian must realize how important ICT is to their lives. The Roadshow will sensitize us all to how we can use ICT tools more efficiently”.

Dubbed “TEXPO”, the Grenada edition of the Caribbean ICT Roadshow is air marked to become an annual national event of Grenada. Maurice George, a member of the local planning committee, described some of the activities that will take place, “TEXPO is for everyone. There will be a Caravan moving about the island with a computer health clinic, we’ll be giving out pamphlets and answering all your questions on ICT. The Caravan will make stops in different communities such as Gouyave, Grandville and we’ll be bringing the coming to Carriacou as well.”

Prime Minister, the Hon. Tillman Thomas is expected to address national ICT stakeholders at the opening ceremony on the evening of 16^th May 2011. The Roadshow activities take place from the 17^th to 19^th May at the Grenada Trade Centre and will include fora for policy makers and regulators, ICT Innovators, Parents and Guardians, Youth, ICT Practitioners as well as the man on the street.