This study evaluates the extent to which digital inclusion is considered in Caribbean digital transformation frameworks. Digital inclusion considers the ways in which digital divides are created as the digital transformation of society progresses, and how societal inequalities affect and are affected by digital technologies. As such, digital inclusion is a lens through which the effects of the digital transformation can be assessed. The study assesses the digital transformation policies of 11 countries and territories of the Caribbean and complements this analysis with qualitative data gathere…
The economies of the subregion were hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly those dependent on tourism. As a result, the Caribbean has seen a reversal of the hard-won gains achieved in growing their economies and reducing unemployment and inequality. The inflation stemming from pandemic supply chain disruption, which has been exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, has made the sustained uptick in economic performance beyond pre-pandemic levels unlikely, notwithstanding strong growth estimates for 2021 and 2022. The last two years have taught the region that continued ‘business as usual’ is…
In this digitally transforming world, digital inclusion is becoming increasingly important to social inclusion and sustainable development. Affordable access to broadband is an essential precondition to digital inclusion. Internet quality, as measured by speed and other indicators, is also important, as digital inclusion is ultimately about ensuring equal access to the benefits and opportunities offered by digital technologies and the Internet. This policy brief provides insight into Internet speed and affordability across the Caribbean, and offers some recommendations for policymakers working…
Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) is important in advancing sustainable development across the globe. One approach available to countries to promote their sustainable development agendas is the advancement of STI to support the adoption of renewable energy technologies. The continued reliance on fossil fuels in the Caribbean is one of the factors hindering the rate at which countries within the subregion are developing. Taking this into account, this study assesses whether the advancement of STI is driving the energy transition in the Caribbean subregion and draws lessons on how STI can…
Debido a las características técnico-económicas de los nuevos modelos de negocio en la economía digital, la regulación actual sobre competencia muestra cierta insuficiencia para prevenir y corregir las prácticas reñidas con la competencia en estos mercados. Como consecuencia, expertos han recomendado la adopción de regulación innovadora ex ante para complementar las herramientas tradicionales en mercados digitales. Salvo en el caso de control de concentraciones, la utilización de herramientas ex ante no es tan frecuente y muchas autoridades han emitido algunas reservas en cuanto a su uso en la…
The Information Technology enabled Services sector (also referred to as modern services) has been one of the fastest growing segments of India’s exports to and foreign direct investment in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) over the past decade. This sector also showed significant resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, as many Indian firms were able to reinforce their digital transformation, which strengthened their growth and export potential. India’s main comparative and competitive advantages are its large educated workforce, a developed Information and communication technologies (ICT)…
En el marco de la cuarta revolución tecnológica, incluyendo las innovaciones disruptivas que esta impulsa, las tecnologías de la información y las comunicaciones (TIC) y la digitalización parecen ser indispensables para que los países puedan aprovechar estos avances de forma transversal. Así, el acceso equitativo a internet y otras tecnologías digitales es indispensable no solo para el desarrollo de los países, sino también para reducir las diferencias socioeconómicas con la llegada de nuevas tecnologías. Este análisis adquiere aún mayor relevancia ante las condiciones del COVID-19.
Con una vi…
This paper studies the digital payments landscape of B2C e-commerce marketplaces in Latin America and the Caribbean. It presents the main characteristics of different digital payment methods, as well as their advantages and disadvantages. It also examines how digital payments contribute to financial inclusion and it describes the global and regional trends and prospects. It presents the main findings of an exhaustive analysis of payment methods accepted by more than 550 transactional marketplaces in 33 countries in LAC. It also examines the main obstacles to development of digital payments in …
The volume of trade in digitally enabled services in Latin America and the Caribbean is determined, in part, by the complexity and heterogeneity of the regulatory environment in home and destination markets, according to firm-level surveys conducted in the region. This report analyses the regulation of digitally enabled and computer services in 13 Latin American countries using the Digital Services Trade Restrictiveness Index (DSTRI) and the Services Trade Restrictiveness Index for computer services (CSSTRI) developed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The re…
This FAL Bulletin forms part of ECLAC reflections on disruptive technologies in transport. This issue explores the opportunities and challenges involved in the implementation of digital twins in logistics and port operations and the potential impact of this new technology on competitiveness.
This issue also highlights the importance of digital twins as a new key technology for the development of logistics and urban infrastructure, and the important benefits which its application could bring to Latin American and Caribbean countries. Digital twins could optimize operations in the region’s ports…
Les avancées récentes de l’IA suscitent des débats et interrogations lourds de sens et de signification. Jusqu’où la machine peut-elle remplacer l’homme? Combien d’emplois va-t-elle détruire et créer? Comment les métiers, les compétences et les conditions d’exercice du travail vont-ils se transformer sous l’effet du déploiement de l’IA? Cette révolution «technologique» peut-elle être synonyme de bien-être accru pour les travailleurs? Exagérément optimistes, ou à l’inverse souvent alarmistes, les estimations actuelles de l’impact de l’IA ne permettent pas d’apporter des réponses robustes à des…
This work analyses the effects of broadband on economic growth in Latin America, distinguishing between mobile and fixed broadband. Although there are studies on the countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), in the Latin American region such research is scarce. This work uses data from 20 countries for the period 2010–2018 and estimates a simultaneous equations model based on Koutroumpis (2009) and Katz and Callorda (2013). The results show that mobile and fixed broadband make a significant positive contribution to the region’s economic growth. A 1% increa…
Este trabajo analiza los efectos de la banda ancha en el crecimiento económico en América Latina, distinguiendo banda ancha móvil y fija. Aunque existen estudios sobre los países de la Organización de Cooperación y Desarrollo Económicos (OCDE), en la región de América Latina son escasos. Se utilizan datos de 20 países correspondientes al período 2010-2018. Se estima un modelo de ecuaciones simultáneas basado en Koutroumpis (2009) y Katz y Callorda (2013). Los resultados muestran una contribución significativa y positiva de la banda ancha fija y móvil al crecimiento económico de la región. Un i…
The pace of the digital transformation of the Caribbean has increased rapidly since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with more governments, businesses and individuals using information and communication technologies (ICTs) than ever before. However, as the digital realm has become more important, the cost of exclusion from it has also increased, and threatens to deepen inequalities in the subregion.…
The Caribbean has experienced transformative change in terms of digital technologies in recent years. Broadband penetration has increased, 3G and 4G coverage is nearly universal in several countries, and most countries of the subregion have a higher number of internet users than the global average. However, significant digital divides
remain across the Caribbean, as evidenced by several relevant indicators related to information and communications technologies (ICTs).…
Discussions on digital inclusion and the digital divide have been ongoing at the global level for over 20 years. While early discussions focused primarily on the gap in access to digital technologies between countries, new digital divides have emerged as the technology has become more advanced and its impact on society has increased.…
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