The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

The Bahamas will next week host the largest annual International Telecommunications Union (ITU) conference, attracting more than 300 foreign regulators and industry stakeholders.

To-date, just over 300 non-Bahamian participants from 60 countries have registered for the 17th edition of the Global Symposium for Regulators, or GSR-17, to be held at the Atlantis resort between July 11- 14.

The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) will host the symposium on behalf of the Government, in conjunction with the ITU. The theme for GSR-17 will be: 'Living in a World of Digital Opportunities'.

Since 2000, the Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR) has brought together heads of national ICT regulatory authorities from around the world. It allows regulators to share their views and experiences on the most pressing issues they have identified, and fosters a global dialogue between regulators, policy makers, industry leaders and other key ICT stakeholders.

"We have worked so closely with so many people from the ITU over the years. This is the biggest annual conference that the ITU hosts," said URCA chief executive, Stephen Bereaux.

"It is a great opportunity for the Bahamas to be seen as a centre for ICTs. We hope it will significantly enhance our stature in the world of ICTs, and I believe that we as a country have a lot to offer the world in relation to ICTs.

"We are well connected both locally and internationally. That produces a very rich environment for ICTs to flourish. We look forward to welcoming the world to the Bahamas to consider ICT regulation and development, and we are proud to be hosting GSR -17."