Guiding Principles/Objectives

Programmes

Since the earliest stages of the emergence of ICT as a major force driving change in the global economy, UNCTAD has launched and supported intergovernmental discussions about policies and measures that should be implemented by the public and private sector in order to create a business environment in which ICT could unfold their potential to contribute to economic development. Specific objectives include:

► Raising awareness of developing countries, especially Least Developed Countries (LDCs), about all aspects of ICT application;
► Assisting developing countries in formulating and implementing ICT development strategies in many trade-supporting service areas;
► Providing developing countries with policy-oriented analysis of the implications of the expansion of e-commerce and ICT.

These objectives are carried out through analytical studies and technical co-operation projects, including capacity building, which focus on practical applications of ICT to facilitate the integration of developing countries and their enterprises in international trade flows (such as customs, transport and tourism).

Areas of Application:

e-commerce High level regional conferences on e-commerce for Development in 2002-2003:

► Central America and the Caribbean, June 2002
► Asia and the Pacific, November 2002
► Africa, May 2003
► Latin America, November 2003

1) The Electronic Commerce Branch of UNCTAD conducts research and analysis work aimed at policy makers and practitioners in the field of e-commerce, Internet and ICT. Particular emphasis is placed on the study of the economic, social and legal aspects of electronic commerce for the enterprise sector of developing countries. The results of this work are disseminated through a number of publications, among which the annual E-Commerce and Development Report is the leading one. The Branch also provides advisory services to developing countries, and organises high level Regional Conferences, experts groups, seminars and workshops focusing on various aspects of e-commerce and development, http://r0.unctad.org/ecommerce/

2) UNCTAD Technical co-operation programmes include:
► The ASYCUDA customs reform and automation programme, which uses IT developed by UNCTAD to increase fiscal revenue, improve efficiency for traders and fight corruption in close to a hundred developing countries and countries with economies in transition. www.asycuda.org
► A SME-oriented website providing access to information on business opportunities, trade-related regulations and market intelligence provided by Trade Points from all regions of the world. www.wtpfed.org
► The Advance Cargo Information System (ACIS), a logistics information system developed by UNCTAD to improve transport efficiency in developing countries. www.railtracker.com/About.asp
► TrainForTrade builds training networks and organizes training in all areas of investment and international trade to enable developing countries, and in particular LDCs, to increase their competitiveness. Development of two training packages on legal aspects of electronic commerce and on the challenges of e-commerce. http://r0.unctad.org/trainfortrade/

3) In co-operation with the International Institute for Trade and Development (ITD, Bangkok, Thailand), UNCTAD is organizing regional workshops in the region. A first training course on Key issues on the International Economic Agenda was organized in November 2002. One of the modules focused on Electronic Commerce and Development, including the related issues to be included in national e-commerce strategies and presented different options for consideration by developing country policymakers. It provides an overview of the ongoing debate on e-commerce in the WTO and discussed possible implications of new multilateral rules and regulations on developing countries' trade in goods and services.

4) ICT-for-Development is one of the key areas on STDev, UNCTAD's Internet gateway on Science and technology for Development. The Gateway provides continuously updated information on best practices in the assessment, transfer, adaptation and mastery of technology and also offers opportunities for partnering and networking for science and technology. STDev also hosts the homepage of the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development (UNCSTD), which is the focal point for science and technology for development within the United Nations system. www.unctad.org/stdev

Developing countries with a focus on LDCs

webmaster@asycuda.org, webmaster@railtracker.org, trainfortrade@unctad.org, stdev@unctad.org