7 News Belize

GIS Popularized in Belize
posted (January 18, 2012)
"Key to strategic business decisions", that's how Total Business Solutions, the driving force behind the introduction of GIS into Belize is describing the technology that some experts say is fundamental to the narrowing of the gap between first and third world countries.

In Belize, a lack of up to date and relevant data has been highlighted as a major obstacle to sustainable development. That's why TBSL has partnered with Esri, the World's leader in GIS software and data to bring awareness to as many Belizean professionals, private and public organizations of the value of the technology.

Today at the Belize Biltmore Hotel, the 2nd Annual Belize GIS Conference got underway, and Managing Director of TBSL, Loretta Palacio, told 7 News [that] changing the mindset of the country's key players remains the greatest challenge yet.

Loretta Palacio - Managing Director, TBSL
"GIS is what nations are using to develop their country, to move forward, to be able to make decisions, because other than that, it's opinions. If we have information, we have industries, economic development, farming, real estate, banking etc. And we could talk about all the issues that we have, or the different sectors that we need to manage, National Emergency Management. We cannot - we'll say - we think it's this because we are seeing tabular data. But when you put information into a GIS, you start to see trends, patters, relationships, and it gives to make better decision. You're more strategic."

TBSL, along with ESRI, are strong proponents of developing a National Spatial Data Infrastructure - an asset for countries like Belize that would contribute significantly to the country's wider infrastructure. While there's still movement towards that, some significant strides are being made.

Simon Thompson - Director Commercial Solutions, ESRI
"The last year when I came down here, we talked about building a national spatial data infrastructure, bringing in the information together, and start to build a Belizean-owned asset, that we can use to help encourage and develop the nation. One of the things that I am really pleased to announce is that today, TBSL has a national base-map for Belize. That was built with Belizean expertise, people, and knowledge - knowledge that was given, understood, created and used in the last 12 months. It wasn't people from America, England, South Africa, Australia, or anywhere else. That was local expertise, local knowledge, and local capability. And what I truly believe is that we can give that and do much more."

Jim McFadzean
"Are you still in the educational process?"

Loretta Palacio
"Yes, Jim, that's a very important question. That is our main objective. We are in the education process, hence in my presentation; we talked about the GIS courses that we've been running. We talked about the kid's camp for youngsters. I mentioned the World GIS Day, which you covered so well. Educating, the young, the professionals, we are trying to build a community of people who will make decisions using GIS."

The conference concludes tomorrow.

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