URUGUAY National Committee for the Information Society UNCTAD Expert Meeting Electronic Commerce Strategies for Development Geneva 10 – 12 July 2002 Uruguay National Strategy e-commerce Dr. Héctor Nilo Pérez Director, Executive Unit National Committee for the Information Society Presidency of the Republic

URUGUAY National Committee for the Information Society National Strategy for the Information Society National Committee for the Information Society Mercury Plan - ANTEL Connectivity for Education Program Electronic Government ICT private sector development

URUGUAY National Committee for the Information Society  President of the Republic  National Regulator for Communications’ Director  ANTEL’s President (National Telecom)  Information Technologies National Chamber’s President  National University’s Dean (Public)  Private Universities’ Representing Dean COMPANIES ADVISORY BOARD

URUGUAY National Committee for the Information Society MERCURY Plan of ANTEL Generalize the use of Internet in Uruguay Services and Local Content Development Extension of telephone networks and incorporation of new technologies which allow simultaneous transmission of voice and data. Facilitating families and companies the purchase of Internet devices (PC and others)

URUGUAY National Committee for the Information Society Connectivity for Education Program  Teachers Training in ITC  Connection of schools and high schools  Content development ECONOMIC GOAL: To prepare tomorrow’s work force SOCIAL GOAL: Reduce Digital Divide

URUGUAY National Committee for the Information Society Electronic Government Executive Committee for the State Reform (Economy Minister - Budget and Planning Minister - Deputy Chief of State) Transparency Efficiency More Services Adoption of measures which will imply companies and citizens to use ITC based solutions as a way to promote the use of such technology.  Central Administration  Decentralized State Institutions  Local Administration  Justice System

URUGUAY National Committee for the Information Society Central Administration e-procurement Civil Servants instruction in ITC Tax collection (developing) Customs (developing) Decentralized State Institutions Duties report to Social Security National Board Local council Services to Citizens and Companies Justice System Digitalization of Justice Files

URUGUAY National Committee for the Information Society ICT private sector development Private initiative for State e-services Executive Act. Exporting Skills Program for ITC Companies (SMEs). CAITI – Academic and Industrial Centre for ICT Tax exemption of: VAT for exports income tax. Strong support to ITC sector interest issues at International Organizations. Special instruction to Foreign Service to support and promote ITC sector actions. Promotion of use of ITC at industrial Level of non ITC companies.

URUGUAY National Committee for the Information Society Strategic Localization of Uruguay in the south area of Latin America

URUGUAY National Committee for the Information Society Strategic Localization in the south area of Latin America

URUGUAY National Committee for the Information Society Uruguayan definition of Electronic Commerce: Uruguay sees Electronic Commerce as one more tool; one more instrument that may benefit commerce and trade by allowing an “INCOME INCREASE”. Our challenge is to transform the risk into an opportunity and to become an IT hub for the region.

URUGUAY National Committee for the Information Society Logistics Banking Services Software development Technology Areas Content Services  Education  Entertainment Call Centres Share Service Centres Consulting Services AREAS WHICM MAY BENEFIT FROM E-COMMERCE In the current situation of international trade

URUGUAY National Committee for the Information Society PROBLEMS There are some other areas which may benefit from e- commerce if some current conditions change: Market access Services Lists Subsidies Trade barriers Jorge Batlle Uruguayan President “What we need is open markets to sell our products”

URUGUAY National Committee for the Information Society CO.NA.C.E. National Commission for Electronic Commerce Private Sector Legal experts Government  Consulting body for the adoption of “country position” at international forums. Sub Groups Digital signature Electronic Payment Mechanisms Consumer Rights Legal issues  Instrument for the PROMOTION of use of e-commerce by the private sector.

URUGUAY National Committee for the Information Society CO.NA.C.E. National Commission for Electronic Commerce Government (Presidency) Customs Office Economy Minister (Tax Office) Public and Private Telecom Companies ICANN local authorities Legal experts National Regulator for Communications Board Industrial National Chamber Credit Cards Association Digital firms certificate providers Foreign Affairs Minister

URUGUAY National Committee for the Information Society CO.NA.C.E. National Commission for Electronic Commerce SMEs State Promotion Agency Industrial Property State Agency Banks Association National Chamber of IT Large IT companies Universities Minister of Work and Labour Exports Promotion Body National Chamber of Commerce Transport Association Free Trade Areas Association

URUGUAY National Committee for the Information Society PYMES TYPE EXPERIENCE Female Rural SMEs Export Program Retailing association B to B experience (against big surface companies) HECHO ACA - Handcraft organization National Mail - implementing distribution and cashing system OCA Card payment system Seminars; Conferences with stakeholders of private sector to promote application of ITC and particularly the use of e- commerce.

URUGUAY National Committee for the Information Society MAIN DIFICULTY FOR COMPANIES CONSIDERING TO IMPLEMENT E BUSINESS SOLUTIONS 0%5%10%15%20%25%30% OTHERS FINANCING LEGAL ASPECTS SECURITY MANAGMENT FOCUS ON E BUSINESS STAFF SKILLS STRATEGY

URUGUAY National Committee for the Information Society Uruguay National Strategy e-commerce Thank you! Dr. Héctor Nilo Pérez Director, Executive Unit National Committee for the Information Society Presidency of the Republic