Utilise more open data

Dear Editor,

Open data can solve some of the problems faced by Jamaica. Research indicates that open data can improve governance, empower citizens, create opportunities, and solve public problems.

However, only 10 per cent of government data is published as open data, which compromises the benefits countries can get from it.

The gap between data haves and have-nots needs urgent attention, as half of all open data sets are found in just the top 10 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries.

A recent McKinsey & Company study estimated that using open data has potential to create US$5 trillion annually in economic value worldwide.

Not many of us know that Jamaica is the first English-speaking Caribbean country to launch an open data portal which can be accessed at http://data.gov.jm. I congratulate the Government of Jamaica on this great initiative and it would be very beneficial if more data sets can be included on this site. This will improve general transparency and increase public trust in the Government.

Tashfeen

mrtashfeen@hotmail.com