On information technology

This is the opportune time for the CNMI to invest on Information Technology (IT). It’s the growing tool in the conduct of private and public sector services in the global village.
Either we do it or we’d be playing catch-up with the rest of the world for years to come.

The Senate can’t delay approval of legislation designed to set-up the legal infrastructure that would allow these isles to develop technologically. It’s the fast growing global tool in trades and services. The CNMI can’t fancy foot any delay with the tool of this millennium.

A report by McConnell International LLC, a Washington-based global policy and technology consulting firm, “Risk E-Business: Seizing the Opportunity of Global E-Readiness” rated the e-readiness of each economy based on five criteria: connectivity, technology leadership, information security, human capacity and technology business climate, according to a recent article in the Washington Post.

The 42 selected countries represent the source of the next phase of world economic growth, making up three-quarters of the world’s population and a quarter of the world’s domestic product. The report says that several countries “are quickly catching up to Japan and the most wired nations in North America and Europe.” There are also other countries who needed major improvements in two or more areas before electronic business and electronic government services could flourish.

“Without significant progress over the next three years, these countries will face great challenges in catching up with the global leaders”, the report said. It urged “all countries to promote private-sector investment in digital infrastructure, foster competition and transparency, create incentives to retain skilled technologists, and build trust by enhancing security, privacy and intellectual-property rights”.

In his recent trip to Washington, Speaker Ben Fitial met with an industrial giant in technology who recommended that certain issues be resolved here to spur investments in technological development here. The comparative advantage that we have far outweighs other US jurisdictions, a critical point to remember as policymakers get their acts together (hopefully) to consider positive consideration of, i.e., the requisite legal infrastructure to set the wheel in motion.

This is an issue that may be flying over the heads of most policymakers who have never made it a point to research, read and digest what IT is all about. Or how it has set economies of scale to begin the introduction of technological development as it reconciles the old and new economies. The CNMI is just three to four hours from Japan and other technologically poised Asian economies.

The only risk in this matter is not taking one, pure and simple. If we neglect it, we will be playing catch-up for the better part of this millennium. Neglect would have the equivalence of suppressing future opportunities for posterity to make the best of what IT has to offer them. It’s the tool of the future for any country or territory the world over.
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At cruising level, the pilot announced that the last engine has gone out. Remarked an old lady: “Gee, we’d be stuck up here all day!” This strange mentality resembles the “business as usual” way in the conduct of business here, right? Say it ain’t so, please?