ADDRESS BY MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS Dr Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri LAUNCH OF ELECTRONIC COMMERCE POLICY July 1999

POTENTIAL OF THE INTERNET Convergence of technologies has brought about transformation Internet is the backbone for e-commerce Enormous growth of trade and commerce over the Internet Internet has overcome distance, time and space

IMPLICATIONS OF E-COMMERCE Need to look at the following: Potential threats and challenges presented by e-commerce Benefits for our economy Opportunities for development General effects of e-commerce on the society

INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE Leading e-commerce frameworks include: –European Union –Global Information Infrastructure Commission –Organisation for Economic Co-operation Development –World Trade Organisation –International Telecommunications Union Governments include Canada, United States, Australia, Singapore amongst others

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DISCUSSION PAPER Discussion Paper is a starting point for national policy discussions Discussion of main policy issues around e-commerce based on OECD framework –Building Trust –Establishing Ground Rules –Enhancing Information Infrastructure –Maximising Benefits

BUILDING TRUST Key Issues are: –Security of data transmissions –Privacy Protection –Digital signatures and electronic payments –Certification Authorities –Consumer Protection

ESTABLISHING GROUND RULES Key Issues are: –Taxation and Duties –Intellectual Property Rights –Exchange Control

ENHANCING INFORMATION Key Issues include: –Universal Access –Telecommunications market structure –Convergence of technologies –Internet governance and Domain names

MAXIMISING BENEFITS Key Issues include: –Socio-economic opportunities –Unbankable communities –Gap between economic “haves” and “have- nots” –Challenges of unemployment, retraining, new skills

DISCUSSION PAPER Contains: –No solutions –No prescriptions –No positions But simply raises or flags out issues

CONCLUSION I officially declare the process open to participation, debate, discussion.