CHAIRMAN of Caribbean Association of National Telecommunication Organisations (CANTO), Mr. Ian Blanchard said Monday that Haiti is a significant part of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Consequently, one thing is clear, that CANTO is committed to the development of that country and the telecom infrastructure there and, through its Disaster Preparedness Committee (DRP), convened a special meeting to discuss the situation, as part of the proceedings at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), he said.

Blanchard explained that the forum focused on the findings of a CANTO team that was on the island for two weeks, in relation to the specific requirements for telecommunication.

He said the issue is to avoid just sending in any telecommunication equipment, instead CANTO is trying to be clear on the needs of Haitians.

Blanchard said a conference call will be set up during this week to get an indication, from the team that visited Haiti, of what are the specific needs.

“One of the things we are looking to is the medium to long term development of the telecommunication,” he said.

Blanchard added that several lessons were taught by the quake-hit country and added that looking at the redesign of the Haitian telecommunication network will need a response from a several stakeholders.

“What we want to do is not rush and provide support to Haiti outside the proper development plan,” he said, pointing out that one of the main partners is the International Communication Union (ITU) which has called for the implementation of a state-of-the-art broadband system in Haiti.

Other stakeholders include the Haitian Government, the Haitian telecommunication regulator and service provider, as well as CARICOM and the American teams working in the country, Blanchard said.

“There are a number of other partners but we are playing our part in the development of the Haitian infrastructure,” he said.

According to him, collaboration among the parties will allow that support is given appropriately, based on the long term development of the telecom sector in Haiti.

“We will work with the various stakeholders, not only to ensure that Haiti not just has a telecommunication network but has a state-of-the-art, modern, network that is going to accelerate the long term economic development of the Haitian people,” Blanchard asserted.