Accelerating Practical Digital Development in the Solomon Islands
This report first describes the value to be derived from an increasingly digital economy in the Solomon Islands and examples of how other countries are doing the same. The tourism, agriculture, and fisheries sectors are examined in detail. It then...
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
World Bank, Washington, DC
2021
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/502011615527051649/Accelerating-Practical-Digital-Development-in-the-Solomon-Islands http://hdl.handle.net/10986/35319 |
| Summary: | This report first describes the value to
be derived from an increasingly digital economy in the
Solomon Islands and examples of how other countries are
doing the same. The tourism, agriculture, and fisheries
sectors are examined in detail. It then presents an
assessment of the digital government program elements and
the extent to which they contribute to delivering effective
and efficient, digitally enhanced government operations and
services. Finally, and most importantly, it presents an
assessment of the status and issues of the foundational
enablers of a digital economy. The outcomes of the
assessment indicated that while continued attention and
action are required on digital government program elements,
the SIG needs to focus mainly on strengthening the enabling
environment for both digital government and the digital
economy. Recent developments suggest good progress, (i.e.
the National ICT Policy, the submarine cables, cybersecurity
committee and planning), but several of the enablers require
investment, effort, and action. The results of this
assessment, and the breadth of the resulting
recommendations, are further evidence of the degree of
effort needed to accelerate the establishment of a digital
economy and a digital government in the Solomon Islands,
beyond simply the provision of faster, cheaper internet
access. However, this assessment also exposes an
already-substantial level of sophistication, continuing
progress on key areas of focus, and a strong political will
to invest additional resources and effort. The Prime
Minister signaled his strong support in the Solomon Islands
Digital Economy Workshop held in early November 2019. The
arrival of the submarine cable, together with the
recommended actions from the workshop and those provided
herein, will no doubt accelerate the realization of the
vision of ‘A peaceful, united and progressive Solomon
Islands communicating and informed by technologies open to
all’. The global COVID-19 pandemic has further underscored
the importance of accelerating digital development,
particularly in the Pacific Islands region. Since March 2020
this region has been particularly isolated by travel
restrictions, and severe disruptions across all economic
sectors. The issues described in this report remain highly
relevant, particularly regarding the urgency of improving
digital infrastructure (connectivity), enabling digital
payments, boosting digital skills, and enacting legislation
to protect digital transactions and safeguard privacy. |
|---|