The Government Islandwide Network (GiNet) Project will provide affordable and high quality internet delivery via 70 hotspots.

The Government of Saint Lucia and the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) on Monday signed the GiNet Memorandum of Understanding that will improve internet penetration.

The Government Islandwide Network (GiNet) Project will provide citizens and visitors with affordable and high quality internet delivery.

Taiwanese Ambassador to Saint Lucia, His Excellency James Chang expressed hope that the project will increase internet access islandwide.

“I believe that this project will be important to the social and economic well-being of these communities. The general public, tourists and business passengers will be able to use wireless local area networks (WLAN) in public areas such as government agencies, schools and rural areas. A total of 70 Wi-Fi spots will be established.”

Minister for the Public Service, Information and Broadcasting, Sen. Hon. Dr. James Fletcher made note that the project will contribute to the needs of the population.

“We cannot ask our people to move into the digital age, we cannot make more government services available to the public online, we cannot tell them that they need to access the wealth of education and other business opportunities that are available on the internet, and not provide them with the tools, the services, and the infrastructure to make this happen. That is why we very diligently set to increase the rate of internet penetration.”

Five districts on island will benefit from the GiNet project: Canaries, Castries, Dennery, Micoud and Vieux-Fort. The government of Taiwan will provide US$3.28 million dollars towards the GiNet project.