After the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the St Vincent and the Grenadines Chamber of Industry & Commerce at the Expo 2020 in Dubai, Faheem Azhar, Head of the Cyber Wales International Cluster met with dignitaries from the island nation just before the Christmas break to continue discussions on collaboration.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) is an independent nation and one of the Windward Islands of the Eastern Caribbean. There are 32 islands that make up the archipelago. This mountainous island formed from volcanic activity gained its independence from Britain on October 30, 1979 and the state remains a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. St. Vincent is now home to a population of 110,000 inhabitants and has always enjoyed a stable Government. The islands economy depends largely on agriculture, tourism.
The island nation takes cyber security very seriously. Their capabilities include the "Cyber Security St. Vincent and the Grenadines", an online hub for cyber security, a FREE Cyber Security resources to help citizens, businesses, and the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to protect themselves against cyber attacks. The hub works closely with the "The Center for Cybersecurity Studies" at Saint Vincent College where graduates earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Cybersecurity.
The Honourable Dr Ralph E Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines and His Excellency Mr Camillo M Gonsalves, Finance Minister, Economic Planning, Sustainable Development and Information Technology welcomed Faheem to a meeting to discuss the goverment's plans and ideas for continued strengthening of cyber protective measures and expanding international cyber collaboration.
Faheem also met with His Excellency Mr Steve Moore, Resident British Commissioner to St Vincent and the Grenadinesand Ms Annette Mark, Vice President of St Vincent and the Grenadines Chamber of Industry & Commerce who signed the agreement to collaborate with Cyber Wales.
John Davies, Chairman of the Cyber Wales Ecosyetem said "we are delighted to have this opportunty to grow and develop our relationahip with such a progressive and forward thinking nation".