Forum says… Public, private sectors must be tech-savvy

BASSETERRE’S PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS must be tech-savvy to help secure the assets of St Kitts and Nevis’ digital and physical infrastructure to stave off any folding in a competitive contemporary global environment marked by “escalating risks”.

The observation was made during The Cable-sponsored recent event held under the theme ‘Delivering Growth in an Environment of Escalating Risk’. The forum formed part of Basseterre’s wider 40^th Independence anniversary observances.

At The Cable business symposium held at the Royal St Kitts Hotel were Mr. Quincy Prentice, CIO of St. Kitts Nevis Anguilla National Bank (SKNANB); Ms. Ophelia Blanchard from the Government’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) department; Mr. Russell Halbert, Chairperson of The Cable’s Board of Directors, Mr. Trevor Phipps of Caribbean Credit Card Corporation; and the revered retired Global CIO of Deloitte, Mr. Larry Quinlan.

Quintan delivered the keynote address.

Deputy Prime Minister, Dr.  Geoffrey Hanley, who also attended the symposium assured the gathering that the St Kitts and Nevis Labour Party administration is dedicated to creating a conducive environment for businesses to prosper.

A highlight of The Cable-sponsored symposium was the presence and participation of youths enrolled as students at Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College. The students not only attended the event but also elevated the discussions with their thought-provoking questions.

“Their presence underscored the commitment of the younger generation to understanding and shaping the business landscape of St. Kitts & Nevis,” observed Ms. Pat Walters, The Cables Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Ms. Walters reiterated her company’s own commitment to the Federation’s youth, as one of the four pillars of its social responsibility compact brokered with the twin-island CARICOM state.

According to Mr. Russell Halbert, Chairperson of the company’s Board of Directors, “The Cable, a small, indigenous Telecommunications company, took the initiative to host this business symposium, inviting as its keynote speaker, Mr. Larry Quinlan, a global leader in the enterprise technology space.”

Halbert noted that “it was important for us as a local company, to hear from an internationally recognised expert in the industry, who was also a son of the soil”. The symposium also attracted industry leaders, regulatory professionals, and a vibrant cross-section of St. Kitts & Nevis business community and exemplified the power of dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaboration in fostering sustainable growth.

Meanwhile, Mr. Philip Carter, Head of Corporate Services, added “The Cable team was delighted to be able to deliver an event of this caliber where thought-leaders in technology and business could share valuable insights with our local business community.”

“The company was highly commended for leading the way and encouraged to continue creating an environment of collaboration and knowledge sharing across all sectors of corporate business, government, and the Federation of St. Kitts-Nevis in general,” Carter continued.