Objective

The princial objective of this Strategy is to create an enabling environment that facilitates and promotes e-commerce for local businesses to serve domestic and international consumer markets.

Goals

The main goals of the National e-Commerce Strategy are: 

1) A comprehensive and effective regulatory environment for e-commerce. 

2) The implementation of an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Framework.  

3) Increased private sector participation in e-commerce. 

4) Increased consumer awareness and confidence in e-commerce. 

5) Enhanced information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure for commercial activity throughout the country.

Expected Outcomes

• The full proclamation of the relevant legislation required for the proliferation of ecommerce activity. 

• A fully functional and operationalized EFT Framework.  

• Increased collaboration between local and foreign businesses, and key supply chains. 

• Increased use of e-commerce by domestic businesses as a channel for selling goods and services to consumers locally, regionally and internationally. 

• Informed and confident online consumers. 

• Enhanced ICT infrastructure available for private homes and businesses. 

Action 1: Enacting and implementing legislation  

The Ministry of Public Administration and Communications and the Ministry of National Security have proposed to implement the following: 

• Full Proclamation of the Electronic Transactions Act and in particular Part VIII (Consumer Protection) 

• Full Proclamation of the Data Protection Act 

• Enactment of Cybercrime Legislation (Ministry of National Security) 

The MTI will liaise with the both Ministries to ensure that the legal framework is in place in a timely manner to encourage the growth of e-commerce activity.

Action 2: Implementing the Electronic Transfer of Funds (EFT) Framework 

The implementation of the Electronic Transfer of Funds (e-payments) is essential for promoting government e-services, and will exemplify the government’s efforts, through the Ministry of Finance. 

Action 3: Promoting private-sector participation in e-commerce  

The MTI (through its agencies such as exporTT and EXIMBANK) in collaboration with other Ministries will seek to increase awareness about e-commerce and encourage domestic firms to actively participate online by buying and selling goods and services, as 

well as acquiring market information, developing business networks and goods and service promotion.

The MTI will also collaborate with the private sector via the various Chambers of Commerce and the e-Business Roundtable and acquire pertinent information by conducting an annual survey on the number of business engaging in e-commerce activities.