However, he said investors also want to be assured that the legislation not only exists but that it works.
“The first big step is getting the legislation in place and ensuring that you have structures that have teeth and regulations by which they can be enforced. That's one of the biggest problems that we have had with some of our regulatory (bodies); they don't have sufficient teeth or supporting regulation,” he said in a Jamaica Observer interview Monday night following a Rotary Club of St Andrew North meeting at Altamont Court Hotel in New Kingston.
He said the Office of the Information Commissioner must also be given the necessary enforcement authority.
Forrest, who was the guest speaker for the evening, presented on the Data Protection Act which is now before a Joint Select Committee (JSC) of Parliament. The committee, which was chaired by former technology minister Dr Andrew Wheatley, has so far heard a number of submissions from critical stakeholders, including the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ), the Media Association of Jamaica (MAJ), and telecoms provider Digicel, among others.
According to Forrest, one of the major concerns now surrounding the proposed bill is that it does not explicitly state who the Office of the Information Commissioner would report to. “It is being suggested that the office (should) report to Parliament. It is up to us to ensure that the framework and structures are in place to make it work,” he remarked.
Forrest said the advisory council has paid keen attention to the discussions at the JSC in order to put its recommendations in the proper context, as it is cognisant of the fact that there are countries which have had difficulty implementing data protection law.
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/ict-council-chair-says-data-protection-legislation-crucial-for-investors_142153