ITU Regional Seminar on E-commerce Bucharest, Romania May 2002 National E-commerce Strategies for Development Dr. Susanne Teltscher United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

Presentation outline Why do we need national e- commerce strategies? What has been done so far? What are the key elements of e- strategies? How do we design and implement e- strategies?

Need for e-commerce strategies E-commerce strategies or ICT strategies? E-commerce and development E-commerce and productivity growth An enabling environment for e- commerce

A survey of existing strategies 51 countries 37 developing countries 14 developed countries At various stages Formulating policies Implementing strategies

A survey of existing strategies

Key elements of e-strategies Awareness building, training and education Access and infrastructure Legal and regulatory issues Sector-specific policies E-government

Awareness building Policy issues Lack of Internet culture Lack of understanding of benefits and opportunities Policy options AB media campaigns, e-government Targets: SMEs, rural areas, women entrepreneurs

Training and education Policy issues Knowledge society: main challenge for developing countries Improve digital literacy Increase number of IT professionals Digital literacy Internet access and PCs in schools Community centers Rural and poor areas, women

Training and education Source: ILO (2001 )

Training and education IT training Shortage of high-skilled IT professionals worldwide Problem of brain drain in poorer countries (India, South Africa) Public or private sector?

Access and infrastructure Policy issues Equal access (rural and poor areas, gender dimension) Telecommunication sector reforms Quality and cost

Access and infrastructure Source: ILO (2001)

Access and infrastructure Policy options PCs and Internet access in schools and universities Open-source software, wireless applications Competition in telecom market

Legal and regulatory issues Is the transaction enforceable in electronic form? Do the parties trust the message? What rules govern the electronic transaction? Questions for policy makers:

Legal and regulatory issues Electronic contracting, authentication, dispute resolution, data/intellectual property/consumer protection, security Taxation, electronic payments, certification

Legal and regulatory issues UNCITRAL Model law: 11 countries Digital signatures: 60 countries (21 developing countries) Taxation: OECD taxation framework

Sector-specific policies Policy issues Increase productivity Enhance comparative advantage and competitiveness Promote e-business

Sector-specific policies Policy options: Lower import duties Promote use of ICT and e-commerce in sectors of comp. advantage Develop domestic IT industry in close relationship with local users Create linkages between foreign investors and local suppliers and services Direct support to SMEs (esp. women entrepreneurs) to enhance e-business (financial, technical, tax credits etc.)

E-government Policy issues Leadership role in e-business (awareness and education) Efficiency gains (government) Reduced costs (enterprises) Transparency

E-government Policy options: Procurement Information sharing among agencies Online services for citizens Equal access (maintain traditional channels)

Approaches to e-strategies Participatory approach Involve all stakeholders Consultative process to identify key elements of national strategy (based on domestic needs)

Stakeholders Business associations IT industry Banks Freight forwarders Lawyers Development org. Womens groups Donors Industry reps. Ministries Customs NGOs Universities Consumers

ITU Regional Seminar on E-commerce Bucharest, Romania May 2002 Thank you