Information society and public ICT policies in the Caribbean: a review of advances and challenges, policy instruments and country experiences

The Caribbean region has an exceptional potential for becoming an international hub of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) services hosting, outsourcing and delivery.Its strategic location, similar time zones and relative short distances to North, South and Central America major trading centers, make it an ideal choice for the establishment of “near-shore” business operations connected to business and economic activity throughout the continent.Native domain of English and Spanish languages, cultural compatibility with the rest of the American continent and even Europe, its cultural ties with Bottom of the Pyramid markets across the world, and the eagerness of its people to embrace new technologies and learn new skills are major competitive advantages the Caribbean has over other regions competing in the global race for ICT markets.