Technology developments that will enhance business growth was a topic of lively debate on the second day of the World Technology Information and Services Alliance's (WITSA) Global Public Policy Summit Bermuda 2009 (GPPS) held at the Fairmont Southampton yesterday.

The session was run by moderator Phil Bond, chief operating officer of TechAmerica, Dr. David Belanger, chief scientist at AT&T Labs, Laurent Bernat, policy analyst and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Tim Heffernan, vice-president of Global Government Relations and Communications at NCR Corporation, Mike Nelson, Professor of Internet Studies at Georgetown University in Washington DC, and Makoto Yokozawa, senior consultant at the Center for Knowledge Exchange & Creation, Nomura Research Institute Ltd. It covered everything from new technologies to expected policy challenges they present, including expected technological advances in the next five years, current policies and institutions most impacted by the developments and new areas to be addressed, as well as the needs of developing economies to accommodate the changes.

It was also announced by WITSA chairman Dan Khoo at the conference that Mexico will host the GPPS 2011 event in its Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) hub of Guadalajara, Jalisco on November 6 to 8 two years from now.

Mr. Khoo also announced the launch of WITSA's Global Trade Portal to promote and facilitate greater cross-border trade and investment in ICT, as well as its new logo and website.

Other subjects for discussion ranged from the impact of environmental policies on growth and the use of ICT policies to bridge the gap, the role institutions play in promoting the industry and expanding economies.