In Jamaica, Information and Communications Technology (ICTs) is a critical tool for the development of the country. Therefore, the Government has made great efforts for strengthening and implementing the national ICTs policies and programs to consolidate a knowledge-based society; and enhancing the providing of its public services.

In 2007, Central Information Technology Office (CITO) organized extensive consultations and background research, including interviews with industry leaders, government executives, planners and industry analysts for preparing a national ICTs strategy. This also includes, an analysis of the approaches recommended in major multilateral organizations such as the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (UNECLAC), the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) and UNESCO.

As a result of all these activities, it elaborated the document entitled "E-Powering Jamaica 2007-2012" which set outs a ICTs blueprint towards desired outcomes. This national strategy has nine (9) dimensions which has been adopted within the Vision 2030 Jamaica - National Development Plan: 1. e-Inclusion, 2. Education and Training, 3. Network Readiness and Infrastructure Development, 4. e-Business and Industry Structure, 5. e-Government, 6. e-Business and ICT Industry Development, 7. Research and Innovation, 8. Cultural Content and Creativity, and 9. Policy and Legal Framework.

Furthermore, in 2011 The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) through its Information and Telecommunications Department has elaborated the document "Information and Communications Technology (ICTs) Policy", which vision is to have "a knowledge-based and educated society which is globally competitive and productive; giving rise to the strategy placement of Jamaica as the key ICTs hub within the region".

The structure of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Policy is a following: 1. Spectrum: A National Resource; 2. Competition; 3. Universal Service; 4. e-Government; 5. Consumer Protection; 6. Security; 7. ICTs Infrastructure: 8. Technology, Research and Innovation; 9. ICTs and the Environment.

Finally, the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining (MSTEM) is elaborating a project entitled "e-Jamaica" which is tended to contribute to Jamaica's preparation to the e-readiness programs and also support the development of the ICTs. Its key objective is to improve public services by making them more affordable and accessible to Jamaicans anywhere in the world.

The Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining (MSTEM) is the governmental institution responsible for implementing and developing e-government policies and programs in the country.

MSTEM dispenses its functions through the followings Departments and Units: 1. Human Resource and Management Administration Department, 2. Executive Management Department, 3. Corporative Services Department, 4. Personnel/Training Department, 5. Internal Audit Unit, 6. External Audit Unit, and 7. Office Services Unit.

In addition, MICT has as key activities to provide the policy framework and strategic direction for the operations of Divisions, Agencies and Departments; collaborate on the promulgation and amendment of legislation and regulations which guide the operations of its Agencies and Departments; and set priorities and allocate financial and other resources, as appropriate.

Based on the subject areas assigned, the mandate of the MICT is to:

a) Manage the use of the radio magnetic spectrum in an efficient manner;
b) Promote efficient and cost-effective postal (and related) services;
c) Encourage expansion and efficient management of mining services;
d) Promote and facilitate e-government and e-learning; and
e) Facilitate and enable cost-effective telecommunications and use of Information and Communications Technology (ICTs) to facilitate universal service and ultimately, the development of an educated and knowledge-based society in Jamaica.

The Government of Jamaica has developed strategies and mechanisms for an effective development of e-Government policies and programs. Therefore, it had established critical tools, including: 1. e-Powering Jamaica, 2. Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Policy and 3. e-Jamaica.

1. e-Powering Jamaica (Related to e-Government). This strategy aims to greater use of e-Government Services by All - Anywhere, anytime, any Device Access to Government. Its flagship initiatives are the following:

• Establishment an optimal e-Governance framework and strategy for effective ICT coordination, management and implementation among the key public sector ICT entities/units in order to drive the development of integrated service delivery across the Government;
• Establish a Government Network to connect public sector entities and to provide seamless service integration and delivery and improved efficiency (improved business processes and reduced costs) and cost-effectiveness in government operations; and
• Develop a Government of Jamaica (GoJ) portal that provides single window access to government services and information, facilitating joined-up Government.

2. Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Policy, page 31 (Related to e-Government). The objective of this policy is to create a transformational state bureaucracy; "on demand" government through integrated "end to end" processes across the Government service and with stakeholders; effective communication; stimulation of public involvement; empowerment of citizens; minimization of social exclusion, and realization of the knowledge based society.

Its strategy police is related to advance its e-Government agenda for the delivery of public services in an integrated fashion, facilitated by ICTs and consistent with the National Development Plan 2030: Vision 2030-Jamaica; World Summit on the Information Society - Declaration of Principles, World Summit on the Information Society - Plan of Action; and the Millennium Development Goals.

3. e-Jamaica (Related to e-Government). This policy proposes to support efforts in: 1. putting a number of fiscal agencies on-line, and 2. Web enabling the operations of key trade agencies. The main objective of the e-Government component is to reduce the transaction costs incurred by citizens and business when they deal with Government. It will be complemented by legal and regulatory e-commerce work presently being funded by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under the Economy Project.

Its objectives are as follow:

• To contribute for increasing Jamaica's readiness for the network world, in the public and private sectors and civil society, in order to increase competitiveness, diversity exports and expands productive employment.
• To promote enhanced efficiency and access, thereby reducing transaction costs, and increasing ICTs use in the private, public sectors and civil society. Regarding this objective, the Public Sector Transformation Unit positioned the transformation of Fiscal Services Limited (FSL) to emerge as the Government's ICT implementing agency. The rationale was to adopt a structured approach to the deployment of ICT across Government entities to improve efficiency, productivity and the quality of service to the public.

It is also the intention of the Government of Jamaica to implement Chief Information Officer (CIO) organization to address governance, ICT and other issues.