On Monday, March 17th, 2014, the Government of Saint Lucia received a cheque in the amount of US $885,722.79 from the Government of Taiwan for the continuation of a three year Multi-Channel Data Centre project.

The Multi-Channel Data Centre project was devised as part of the public sector modernisation thrust of the government. This new direction aims to technologically advance the delivery of public services, as well as improve the efficiency of government operations. 

Through this project, the government recently opened a new Digitization Centre to convert the reams of information currently available into electronic format for easier public access and portability - what will eventually result in a digital library.

In a brief address, while accepting the funds from Taiwan's Ambassador to Saint Lucia, His Excellency James Chang, Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Kenny D. Anthony said government has already made significant progress in modernizing its operations. 

"Government is looking at reconfiguring its communications management and may soon be in a position to speak to this. We have made good strides in establishing a Government Call Centre to expand the access of the everyday citizen to information and government services. We will soon be in a position to make the use of governemnt vehicles more accountable through a fleet tracking system." 

Dr. Anthony said he was anxious to see more improvements through the Public Sector Modernization program.

"We must begin to use technology to reduce costs of operation. It is so obvious now that we must begin to automate; we must begin to leverage technology to be more accountable," said the Prime Minister.

This most recent tranche of funds brings total disbursement to 79.4% of the approved project sum of US $2,500,000. The first tranche or mobilization sum of US $1,100,000 was made available on March 26th, 2013.
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