The advance of ICTs in Latin America

The manufacturing and services industries that produce or market information and communications technology goods or services are ICTs. In the region, there are countries with average performance in the area of ICTs, such as Colombia, Mexico or Panama, and others with opportunities to improve, such as Bolivia and Paraguay. 

The most innovative and strategic programs in Latin America stem from an understanding of the importance of broad band for economic growth and to reduce the level of poverty. Since there have been strategies to work infrastructure aspects, to improve institutional and regulatory frameworks, and human capital, the digital ecosystem incorporates ICTs to the productive sector. 

The impact of ICTs on countries also impacts the economy and the people. It has been proven that an increase of 10 percent in the penetration of broad band generates an impact of between 1 and 1.05 percent in the GDP. At the same time, people who have skills in ICT, have better evaluations in the educational system. This, in turn, helps get better jobs with an increase in remunerations of between 18 and 30 percent. 

There are four basic elements for this to happen. Entrepreneurs must go through a digital literacy process; enterprises must modernize and get certified, that is, they must use computers, develop web pages and software applications; Spin-offs must be developed, or entrepreneurships with a technological base; and last, but not least, it is essential to have entrepreneurial innovation.