preparing trinidad and tobago for doing business in the
TRANSCRIPT
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Report of the
National Electronic Commerce Policy Committee
"Preparing Trinidad And Tobago For Doing
Business In The Internetworked Global Digital
Economy"
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Report of the National Electronic Commerce Policy Committee “Preparing Trinidad and Tobago for Doing Business In The Internetworked Global Digital Economy”
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MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL E-COMMERCE POLICY COMMITTEE
Dr. Finbar Fletcher - Chairman Ministry of Trade and Industry and Consumer Affairs
Mr. Clyde Alleyne - Vice Chairman IBM World Trade Corporation
Mr. Raoul John – Vice Chairman Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce
Mr. Joseph Caesar National Information Systems Center Ministry of Information and Communication
ASP Phillip Carmona Ministry of National Security
Mr. Philip Colthrust Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago
Mr. Wayne Corbie Bank Employees Union
Ms. Albertina Devenish Ministry of Consumer Affairs
Mr. Simon Fraser Carib-Link Limited
Mrs. Liesel Gransaull-Brown National Institute of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (NIHERST)
Mr. Samraj Harripaul Ministry of Attorney General and Legal Affairs
Mr. Michael Lau The South Trinidad Chamber of Industry and Commerce
Mr. Krishnarine Maharaj Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association
Mr. Richard Madray Ministry of Public Administration
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Ms. Heather Tull Small Business Development Corporation
Mr. Richard Young The Bankers Association of Trinidad and Tobago
Mr. Christopher Hamel-Smith Legal Private Sector
Mr. Winston Ragbir Telecommunications Division - Ministry of Information and Communication.
Mr. John Malcolm Spence Intellectual Property Office, Ministry of Legal Affairs
Mrs. Samdai Rampersad Ministry of Finance, Planning and Development
Participating Alternates
Mr. Anthony Joseph Ministry of Finance, Planning and Development
Mr. Derwin Howell The Bankers Association of Trinidad and Tobago
Mr. Deoraj Ramnarine Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce
Mr. Tracy Hackshaw The South Trinidad Chamber of Industry and Commerce Inc.
Mr. Wayne Punnette Small Business Development Corporation
Other Contributors: Mr. Steven Abiraj Ministry of Public Administration Mr. David Mungroo Ministry of Public Administration
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Report of the National Electronic Commerce Policy Committee “Preparing Trinidad and Tobago for Doing Business In The Internetworked Global Digital Economy”
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This report was prepared by the National Electronic Commerce Policy Committee (NECPC), created
by Cabinet with a mandate to examine Trinidad and Tobago's current environment and formulate
policy recommendations, which would allow the country to reap the maximum benefits from the new
digital economy. Over the last seven months the NECPC has been engaged in both intensive and
extensive deliberations on electronic commerce. Issuing from these deliberations, the NECPC first
produced an interim report which was submitted to the Cabinet in December of 1999. This interim
report is attached as Appendix 3 and primarily contains principles and guidelines on which the
recommendations in the final report were based.
The NECPC's work programme was organized based on a model earlier adopted by the FTAA Public-
Private Sector Experts advisory group on Electronic Commerce. Following this model, the relevant
issues were categorized into four areas and addressed by four working groups as follows:
1. Strengthening the Infrastructure 2. Increasing Participation in Electronic Commerce 3. Clarifying Marketplace Rules 4. Building Confidence for Users of Electronic Commerce
1. The work and the ensuing recommendations of the NECPC were thus primarily constituted
around these four issues. These also formed the base of our policy objectives and an enabling
environment for two other objectives, viz., Jumpstarting the E-Economy and
2. Positioning Trinidad and Tobago as a regional E-Commerce Hub.
Foreword
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Page
1 Executive Summary 6
PART 1 – BACKGROUND
2 Terms Of Reference 13
3 Introduction And Background 15
4 Methodology And Work Plan 23
5 The Current E-Commerce Environment In Trinidad And Tobago 25
PART 2 - RECOMMENDATIONS
6 Strengthening The Information Infrastructure 32
7 Increasing Participation In E-Commerce 38
8 Clarifying Marketplace Rules 53
9 Building Confidence For E-Commerce Users 67
10 Jumpstarting the E-Economy - Summary of Recommendations. 74
Appendix 1 – Opportunities For Citizen Access To Government Via The Internet. 82
Appendix 2 – Opportunities For Electronic Commerce In Government. 84
Appendix 3 - Interim Report Of National Electronic Commerce Policy Committee. (November 1999)
86
Appendix 4 - Proposal For Establishing A National E-Commerce Coordinating Unit. 95
Appendix 5 - Budget Estimate For Establishing Community Access Centers. 103
Appendix 6 - References 104
Table of Contents
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The Challenge Facing Trinidad and Tobago
Massive changes are taking place in the world around Trinidad and Tobago;
globalization, market liberalization, regional trading blocs such as NAFTA, the EU and
the Southern Cone, and the explosion of Electronic Commerce on the Internet are
creating huge opportunities for businesses, governments, industries and entire
countries to transform themselves. At the same time, these developments have resulted
in new threats - the same businesses, governments, industries and countries now face
the risk of being marginalised if they do not respond to the changes taking place around
them. Time pressures compound the challenge; the pace with which developments take
place in the new networked world means that even if the right actions are identified and
execution begun, those who move too slowly will be overtaken by others who can make
the commitment to move at Internet speed. The report thus identifies a number of
immediately actionable programmes intended to jumpstart our National E-Commerce
initiative.
At the onset, it must be unequivocally stated that there are two necessary preconditions
for success. Firstly, there is very little hope for the advancement of the E-Commerce
agenda without drastic improvements in the telecommunications infrastructure. Efforts
that are currently underway must therefore be accelerated. Secondly, success requires
that political will be ultimately manifest. This will be demonstrated by the government’s
speedy action on the recommendations contained herein, together with the allocation of
sufficient budgetary allocations to meet the costs of implementation of the
recommendations. At a minimum, government should move quickly to allocate the funds
for the appointment of the National E-Commerce Coordinator and the supporting
Secretariat, as this person will be very key to ensuring that the recommendations are
executed in a timely manner.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
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The Role of Government
The report has adopted as a primary principle, that government’s principal role is to
facilitate the creation of a environment that facilitates the expanded use of E-Commerce
and its related technologies by the private sector, government and individuals. However,
it also recognises that Micro, Small, and Medium sized Enterprises (MSMEs), which
form the employment backbone of the economy, face unique challenges with respect to
access to resources and expertise in this new environment. As a result, it has
recommended that government should play a pro-active role in helping the MSME
sector by providing “incubator” assistance where practical.
Government transformation into “e-government”
The report also recommends that government should use the new technology to
radically transform how it functions and how it addresses the needs of the country’s
citizens. By transforming itself into an “e-government”, it will be able to operate more
efficiently and effectively, thereby improving the service provided to citizens - at
significantly reduced costs. By being able to function more efficiently and effectively, the
savings gained will allow government to better address other pressing issues such as
improved remuneration, retention, and skills development issues in the public service.
Bridging the Digital Divide
Somewhat outside of the scope of the focus on creating an environment that enhances
E-Commerce in its strictest sense, but one which is included in all international
discussions of E-Commerce, is the need to factor in those individuals in the society who
are affected by the “Digital Divide”. This “Digital Divide” separates those who have
access to the new technologies from those who do not, usually because of differences in
income, education or geographic location. By improving affordability and accessibility,
the government will be better able to attain its goal of Universal Access to computers
and the Internet. To address this divide and ensure that all sectors of society have an
equal opportunity to reap the benefits of the new technologically driven society, the
report advocates programs such as the establishment of "Community Access Centers"
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Telecommunications Infrastructure
As alluded to above, easy and reasonable cost access to the telecommunications
infrastructure by all users - business and individual, was seen as pivotal to the
realisation of our electronic commerce agenda. However, the "high cost - low
bandwidth" infrastructure has created an extremely unfavourable environment for all
users. The problem of low bandwidth continues to exist both in our connection to the
global backbone and in connections to the local backbone, i.e. "the last mile". The report
therefore proposes a much more aggressive stance in our move towards liberalization.
With the addition of new players, not only are costs likely to be reduced, but the problem
of low-bandwidth will be addressed as additional broadband technologies, both wire-
based and wireless will be considered.
Improving the cost and bandwidth of the telecommunications infrastructure has been the
consistently most frequently cited obstacle to increased use of E-Commerce all over the
world . It is important to remember, however, that telecommunications is but the most
visible part of the iceberg. Once one gets past the telecommunications issue, there are a
host of other issues below the surface that become equally important, such as the
Legislative Framework, Workforce Skills, Security and Privacy, and supportive Financial
Institutions. Even the population’s attitude and cultural habits with respect to computer-
based transactions will have to be addressed.
Appointment of a National E-Commerce Coordinator
A significant recommendation of the committee is that the government should seek to
ensure the attainment of its goals and objectives by appointing a National E-Commerce
Coordinator much along the lines of the National Y2K Coordinator. This Coordinator
would have a mandate to continue the development of a comprehensive Policy
Framework on E-Commerce fully integrated within the National Policy Framework, and a
consensus-based Roadmap for implementation. In addition, the Coordinator should play
a coordinating role to ensure that the activities of the many private and public sector
stakeholders in support of the policy are executed in a consistent, effective manner. The
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Coordinator would be supported by a secretariat with appropriate professional and
administrative staff based in the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Consumer Affairs.
Clarification of Marketplace Rules
With regard to the Clarification of Marketplace rules, the objective is to ensure that the
rules which govern commercial transactions in cyberspace would be clear to all
participants. Ideally, one would expect that the same principles would apply to offline as
well as online transactions. The report thus posits several recommendations that are
geared towards making the Trinidad and Tobago electronic marketplace one in which all
existing and prospective players, both domestic and international, would feel
comfortable doing business and investing. The report also emphasizes the global nature
of many of these rules and the need for Trinidad and Tobago to be a vocal and active
part of all the discussions in progress and the decisions being made at the international
level.
Security and Privacy Issues
As part of its ultimate set of recommendations, the NECPC addressed the issue of the
current low level of confidence that is prohibiting effective participation in electronic
commerce. These issues essentially relate to the privacy and security concerns of
users. Recommendations are presented with regard to, inter alia, the guarantee of
individual privacy, security and access to encryption technology, and some of the
resulting challenges to the law enforcement community.
National Electronic Commerce Policy
The terms of reference mandated the NECPC to establish a National E-Commerce
Policy. We wish to sound one caveat. Such a policy cannot be adequately developed
outside of broader national economic development policy concerns. Additionally, given
the very dynamic nature of the targeted environment, any policy formulations must be
part of a living system, prepared to change at any moment in response to environmental
stimulants. This document must therefore not be regarded as a static fait accompli, but
as work in progress subject to transformations both in breadth and depth over time.
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Notwithstanding the above, the report places into proper focus and brings to the table a
number of issues we consider to be very critical at this juncture. We have identified a set
of objectives which we believe should be the main thrust of any current national E-
Commerce policy. Based on these objectives, we have made a number of
recommendations to the government which if implemented, will address the major
issues that have been identified as being important to promote the use of E-Commerce
in the Private and Public Sectors. As a consequence, the document contains most of the
elements which would form important components of a comprehensive National
Electronic Commerce Policy. One omission is the absence of an action plan and
roadmap for implementation. However, it is expected that one of the first tasks for the
National Electronic Commerce Coordinator and Secretariat would be to ensure that the
National Policy Framework for Electronic Commerce continues to be developed,
together with an accompanying Roadmap for execution.
International Activity on Electronic Commerce
As part of its work, the NECPC reviewed work which had been done by a number of
national and multinational agencies with respect to E-Commerce. It was discovered that
there has been a huge amount of work done on this issue all over the world over the last
3 years. A compilation of the documents referenced is listed in the References section
of this report. Some of the bodies whose work had been reviewed by the NECPC or
which the NECPC is aware of were:
FTAA Joint Government-Private Sector Committee of Experts on Electronic Commerce
G7 Conference on Global Marketplace for SMEs - “Electronic Commerce and the Future for SMEs in a Global Market Place”
US Advisory Commission on Electronic Commerce OECD Ministerial Conference - “A Borderless World: Realising the Potential for
Global Electronic Commerce” WTO Work Program on Trade-Related Aspects of Electronic Commerce IDB Informatics 2000 Initiative for Latin America and the Caribbean UNCTAD Trade Efficiency Initiative ITC Executive Forum 2000 - “Export Development in the Digital Economy”
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The issues identified and the recommendations arising from the work of the initiatives
mentioned above, were remarkably consistent. If compared, it will be clear that the
conclusions and recommendations from the various international and multilateral studies
are consistent with the recommendations made in the NECPC’s report. There is clearly
a major worldwide drive underway all over the world to address the issues surrounding
E-Commerce.
Trinidad and Tobago’s own efforts to make itself a part of the new Digital Economy can
therefore benefit from the activities underway around the world; there will be significant
economies in terms of time and effort since the wheel need not be reinvented. But
therein also lies the challenge to Trinidad and Tobago; as the larger, more developed (or
smaller but more aggressive) countries take the steps necessary to stake out their
territories in this Digital Economy, it becomes even more critical that Trinidad and
Tobago act swiftly but in a focussed, well planned manner to take its own place in the
digital economy. It has been said that “even if you are on the right path, you will be run
over by those that are moving faster than you”. The NECPC therefore urges the
government to act on these recommendations with the greatest possible sense of
urgency, and to allocate the resources (financial, human and otherwise) necessary for
expeditious execution of the actions highlighted in this report.
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PART 1
BACKGROUND
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2.0 THE COMMITTEE'S TERMS OF REFERENCE On the advice of the Minister of Trade, Industry and Consumer Affairs, the Cabinet of
the government of Trinidad and Tobago agreed to the establishment of the Committee
with objectives and terms of reference as follows:
Objectives:
(i) to examine the relevant Electronic Commerce (E-Commerce) issues, their likely
impact on both the economic life and social life of Trinidad and Tobago.
(ii) to establish a National Electronic Commerce Policy which would guide Trinidad
and Tobago into Electronic Commerce.
Terms of Reference: To assess Trinidad and Tobago’s readiness to fully engage in Electronic Commerce with
regard to the following and other matters considered relevant by the Task Force –
(i) Legal and Regulatory – examine all the legal issues generated by trade and
other forms of business and personal interaction in the electronic environment
and recommend if required, an appropriate legislative framework. The task
force should seek regional and international cooperation as far as possible to
address these issues. Areas of concern here include but are not limited to –
• The guarantee of individual privacy – the protection of personal information
• Consumers’ rights and obligations • Intellectual property rights • Administration and enforcement of taxation laws • Harmful and illegal content • Jurisdictional conflicts
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• Labour laws • Authentication of transactions and Certificate Authorities
(ii) Technology and Business – examine the required technology and business
infrastructure for efficient and reliable EC and also to build and maintain
confidence and trust in the EC medium. Areas of concern here include –
• Increased broad band capacity - removal of capacity bottlenecks • Liberalization of Trade in Telecommunications and Information
Technology • Standards for interoperability • Security and Access to encryption technology • Electronic Payment Systems
(iii) Universal Access – to recommend a policy for the achievement of universal
and affordable access.
(iv) Economic and Social Implications – to examine the Social and Economic
Implications of Electronic Commerce and related technologies for Trinidad and
Tobago.
(v) Training – examine the type of knowledge infrastructure and knowledge base
that is required at all levels to facilitate efficient interaction in the new electronic
environment.
(vi) The role of Government – to examine and make recommendations on the role
to be played by Government in the promotion of E-Commerce.
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3.0 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND 3.1 ELECTRONIC COMMERCE OVERVIEW Electronic Commerce or E-Commerce may be broadly defined as the delivery of
information, products/services, payments or any other value adding activity via
electronic means. Whilst this simple definition tends to hide the complexity of issues
which E-Commerce addresses, it is however very clear that it covers a wide range of
activities. It is generally inclusive of the entire set of supporting processes for
commercial activity and involves "the enablement of a business vision supported by
advanced information technology to improve efficiency and effectiveness within the
trading process".1 This all-encompassing business-centric view of E-Commerce has
been termed “E-Business” by certain segments of the business world. In the report, we
therefore use the terms Electronic Commerce, E-Commerce and E-Business
interchangeably. In recent times, references to E-Commerce have also assumed that
the technology infrastructure is Internet-based.
Some of older forms of electronic commerce such as Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)
and Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) have been around for more than two decades, and
have had major and in some cases radical impact in several industries.
Although these technologies have been the agents of substantial transformation in many
cases, they have not attracted the level of attention that has been generated recently,
and continues to be generated by E-Commerce. The big difference is that in the past E-
Commerce applications such as EDI and EFT had been enabled by private
communications networks and restricted to very large corporations because of the high
implementation and maintenance costs involved. Today the emergence of an ubiquitous
inexpensive public network in the form of the Internet, has made the realm of
possibilities virtually limitless. The Internet is now the great enabler of E-Commerce and
forms the backbone of what is today called the Global Information Infrastructure. E-
Commerce is being used by governments, businesses and the general public to
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exchange all types of information (e.g. audio, video, text), reduce operating costs and
increase levels of service. E-Commerce is redefining interaction, reshaping
marketplaces, trading relationships and international trading boundaries. Indeed the
traditional notion of the "nation state" is now being seriously challenged as a
consequence of the ease with transnational enterprises can now function in this new
networked world.
At a high level, an E-Commerce transaction essentially involves two or more parties who
can be categorized as either consumer, business or government. The possible
relationships or levels of interaction would thus be Consumer to Consumer, Business to
Consumer, Business to Business, Government to Business, Government to Consumer,
and Government to Government. In another way it could be said that E-Commerce is
about providing support for all these types of interaction. Ideally, this support should
comprise of a total enabling infrastructure, not only through ensuring that the advanced
information and telecommunications technology infrastructure exist, but also that the
legal, business, financial, social, macro-economic and knowledge infrastructural aspects
are in place.
Figure 1.
Source: F. Fletcher - presentation to UNCTAD E-Commerce seminar. - August 1999.
1 Adam et al - Electronic Commerce, Technical, Business and Legal Issues, 1999, (Prentice Hall).
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3.2 WHY E-COMMERCE? It might be argued that Trinidad and Tobago is a small country, that there are
insufficient general computer skills among the general population, that the penetration of
personal computers into households is too small, that there is no obvious pressing
consumer need to be fulfilled by E-Commerce - that as a consequence, there is no need
to try to drive increased E-Commerce activity at this time in Trinidad and Tobago.
These factors, while they must certainly be taken into consideration by any organisation
considering entry into the E-Commerce marketplace, are not sufficient to offset the
benefits to be derived from increased adoption of Internet and E-Commerce
technologies by both the private and public sectors.
The potential for greatly increased export earnings is tremendously increased for those
enterprises and countries that are prepared to exploit the new technologies. With the
Internet, the traditional questions of “who or where is the customer?” no longer hold true.
The customer can now be literally anywhere in the world, and the Internet is the vehicle
which can allow a supplier to reach its customers far faster, with greater reach, and at
lower cost than via traditional methods.
Organisations or enterprises which implement Internet technologies also have the
opportunity to re-engineer their business processes, which can result in greatly
increased efficiency and effectiveness. This can help them improve their business
results and make them more competitive in today’s increasing fast-paced, competitive
global marketplace.
The reality therefore, is that implementing Internet technologies will bring tremendous
benefits, both at the national level as well as the organisation or enterprise level.
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But because the technology-driven global marketplace is evolving at such a rapid pace,
it is also very important for enterprises which seek to operate in this marketplace to
embrace the new Internet technology with a very strong sense of urgency, so as to
avoid losing unrecoverable ground to competitors.
3.2.1 At the International Level The increasing use of Internet technologies for E-Commerce all over the world has
created an environment full of both new opportunities and threats.
Small developing economies such as Trinidad and Tobago’s find that the Internet will
create tremendous opportunities for market access - well beyond what traditional, non-
digital marketing approaches would have created. Smaller economies have traditionally
been at a disadvantage when attempting to compete against the large developed
countries due to greater difficulties created by less access to resources and markets.
With Internet technology, many of these traditional advantages are neutralised; a small
business in Trinidad can put itself on the Internet as quickly as a large corporation in the
U.S., for example.
Local manufacturers and exporters which move quickly to adopt Internet technology will
therefore be able to become part of the global marketplace, with its greatly increased
potential for revenue and profit growth. With greater success will come corresponding
national benefits - a greater contribution to national earnings through corporate taxes
and increased employment being two of the more obvious benefits.
With the new digital marketplace, this also means that the pace of competition on a
global basis has also increased tremendously, resulting in significantly increased threats
from non-traditional sources. Just as there would now be increased opportunities for
say, a local grower and exporter of anthuriums to find bigger and more varied buyers,
the new Internet-based economy also means that the local exporter could end up
competing with anthurium exporters all over the world.
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In this kind of fast-paced environment, speed to market is essential - not only to gain
initial sales, but more importantly, to develop an entrenched market presence that will be
able to withstand future competitive activity. Thousands of businesses all over the world
are adopting E-Commerce every day, and as time goes by, it will become increasingly
difficult for later entrants to gain market recognition and share because of the increasing
number of competitors in the marketplace.
Over time, most international business in the world will be conducted electronically and
digitally. Businesses which expect to participate in this environment must begin taking
steps to ensure that they are not left behind.
3.2.2 At the National Level The National Economy depends on the success of the business community for many
reasons - a business is expected to be a taxpayer, an employer, a purchaser of goods
and services, and a corporate citizen. Factors which can greatly impact the potential for
success or failure of the business community must therefore be of significant interest to
the Central Government. The Internet and E-Commerce must be counted among such
factors.
Because the Internet reduces traditional barriers to entry to many marketplaces, the
result is an environment of higher risk to many traditional businesses due to the resulting
entry of new and often non-traditional entrants to their marketplaces. For example, the
local financial and stockbroking community has seen a significant increase in the
number of citizens who have begun to make their own stock investments using Internet-
based brokerage operations based in the U.S. It is important for our local enterprises to
recognise this increased risk and to take steps, not only to ensure that they can survive,
but that they can grow and prosper as a consequence of the new business environment.
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From a cultural standpoint, the Internet is an ideal medium to dramatically broaden the
market for local culture. Via the Internet, local carnival bandleaders already take
international bookings for band costumes. Carnival event schedules are already posted
on the Internet, making it easier for people to schedule their attendance at these events.
The Internet can be used to publicise and market cultural products such as calypso
CDs, Chutney, souvenirs, and even steel pans to the rest of the world. Even individual
video and music clips can be sold over the Internet. The net result can be a huge
expansion in income-earning opportunity of our local composers, entertainers,
performers and others associated with Trinidad and Tobago culture. Because of our
tardiness, some of these items and services are already being offered for sale on the
Internet by foreign cyberpreneurs.
Internet technologies are a tremendous enabling technology that can give businesses
the means to greatly improve their efficiency and effectiveness by re-engineering their
traditional business processes. By re-engineering the way they interface with
employees, customers, suppliers and business partners, businesses can dramatically
improve their operations and their business results. With greater success, each
business’ role as a taxpayer, employer, purchaser and citizen will be enhanced, with
national economic benefits for everyone.
A potential side benefit of addressing the inhibitors to E-Commerce and E-Government
is too significant to leave unmentioned. If the government is successful in bringing down
telecommunications costs as one of the prerequisites for enhanced adoption of E-
Commerce and E-Government, this will facilitate the development of new service
industries which are heavily telecommunications-dependent. Businesses such as Call
Centers and Software Development Centers will become much more viable as
telecommunications costs are normally a very significant portion of their operating costs.
Should these new types of businesses flourish in Trinidad and Tobago, they have the
potential of become very significant providers of permanent jobs - far more than the
highly capital-intensive energy sector.
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3.2.2 Government and the Internet
Governments all over the world face the same challenges - how to provide improved
services to citizens while their budgets for recurrent expenditure come under pressure to
be reduced. Today's citizen has become used to improved customer service, better
quality products and services from suppliers, and lower prices, and these standards are
being extended to their expectations of the services that their Local and Central
Governments provide. As a result, increasingly vocal demands from citizens have forced
governments to reassess their models for governance.
The use of Internet technologies is one of the key strategic ways in which governments
have been seeking to address demands of its citizens. The potential for impact on
government services is great - greater convenience through improved accessibility to
government services, greater efficiency and effectiveness of government departments,
and greatly reduced cost of delivering these services to citizens.
By embracing a vision of “E-Government”, governments can radically improve citizen
satisfaction while reducing recurrent expenditure. This would in turn free up funds which
can then be used for much-needed developmental purposes.
3.3 SOME STATISTICS
A brief examination of some statistics would give a much greater appreciation as to
"Why E-Commerce?". In 1999 alone, US$111 billion was generated from E-Commerce.
This number is expected to reach US$1.3 trillion by the year 2003, of which 86% is
expected to be from business to business (b2b) E-Commerce.2 Again in 1999, 39 million
people shopped on-line. This number was up 129% from 17 million in 1998.3 In the U.S.,
by the year 2004, the number of households with Internet access will nearly double to 90
million from the current 45.9 million, whilst business access will go from 6.3 million to 8.3
million.4 When the rest of the world is taken into account, the situation is even more 2 Reuters, January 24,2000. 3 E-marketer, February 2000. 4 E-Marketer, Febrary 2000.
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dramatic. The picture that is being painted is very clear. There is a tremendous
momentum that is engulfing the world's society and economy at an ever increasing rate.
Trinidad & Tobago has to decide whether it wants to be part of it in a prepared manner,
or be swept away unwittingly unprepared.
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4. REPORT METHODOLOGY AND WORK PLAN
In making a decision as to how its terms of reference and Cabinet's mandate would be
fulfilled, the Committee thought it best to divide itself into working groups, given the fairly
wide scope of the terms of reference and the vast subject area that had to be covered.
Each working group would then take responsibility for a particular area. In assigning
subject areas to the working groups, the committee not wishing to reinvent the wheel
considered existing work models of similar committees. Two models were thus
considered, the work programmes of the FTAA5 E-Commerce Experts Group and the
Singaporean E-Commerce policy group. Both these groups had discussed extensively
E-Commerce policy issues. In the end, the committee opted for what was called the
FTAA+ Model, i.e. the four work areas of the original FTAA work programme with a fifth
area drawn from the Singaporean model. In addition to the FTAA's work programme
being a very comprehensive one, there was a general opinion that Trinidad and Tobago
being a member of the FTAA, should be somewhat guided by its deliberations. Four
working groups were thus established based on the first four areas listed below. It was
decided that the fifth area would receive the attention of the entire committee at the end
of the working group sessions.
Working Groups Areas. FTAA+ Model
1. Strengthening the Information Infrastructure
• The development of a world class telecommunications and computing infrastructure
• Liberalization of Trade in Telecommunications and Information Technology.
• Universal Access • Standards for interoperability
5 Free Trade Area of the Americas.
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• Internet Management, including administration and use of the '.tt' ccTLD
(Trinidad and Tobago's Top Level Domain country code)
2. Increasing Participation in E-Commerce
• Training - Raising Skills and Awareness • The role of government
• Government as model users • E-Commerce as basis for transforming administrative government
• Small and Medium sized businesses (SMEs)
3. Clarifying Marketplace Rules
• Intellectual Property Rights • Administration and Enforcement of taxation laws • Harmful and illegal content • Jurisdictional conflicts • Labour laws • Electronic Payment Systems
4. Building Marketplace Confidence for E-Commerce Users
• The guarantee of individual privacy – the protection of personal information • Consumer’s rights and obligations • Validity of electronic documents and digital signatures • Authentication of transactions and Certificate Authorities • Security and Access to encryption technology • Challenges to Law Enforcement
5. Programmes/Strategies to Jumpstart and position Trinidad and Tobago as a leading E-Commerce player.
Given the lack of statistical data, the work had to proceed on the basis of the vast
experience repository of the committee members and the past and current efforts in
international fora.
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5.0 STATE OF E-COMMERCE IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
5.1 COMPUTING AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE
Although Trinidad and Tobago possesses a fairly developed technology infrastructure
compared with the other countries of the Caribbean and the rest of the developing world,
there remains a lot to be done to achieve the world class infrastructure that is needed.
5.1.1 The Telephone System
Although being far from ideal, the international telephone system (PSTN)6 remains the
major conduit for global Internet traffic. The circuit-switching system on which the PSTN
is founded does not match well with the packet-switching technologies which enable the
Internet, and suffers from several deficiencies in transporting data other than voice. As it
is today perhaps the only means whereby general access to the Internet and the global
information infrastructure can be universally had, no serious discussion of E-Commerce
can proceed without an examination of the telephone system.
The table below gives an indication of the telephone installation base in Trinidad and
Tobago.
Table 1. Telephone Installation Data as of May 1, 1999
Households with telephones 222058 (80%)
Business Telephones 24584
Main Lines per 100 people 21.0
Cellular lines per 100 people 2.0
Request to Installation time 20 to 30 days
Main Line waiting list 3800
(data supplied by TSTT)
6 Public Switched Telephone Network.
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Compared with the developing world Trinidad and Tobago has a fairly high universal
service7 rate. Table 1 depicts a relatively high installed base of more than eighty percent
of households. Although lower than rates for countries such as Canada (98%) and the
UK (95%), this universal service rate compares very favorably with countries in Latin
America such as Mexico (28%), Costa Rica (43%) and Chile (15%)8. No information
could be had on the actual in-service figures. This information could have been used to
gauge the effect of the pricing structure on usage levels. Installation timing, however still
lags way behind that of the developed world.
A major factor in determining access to the POTS9 is cost. Table 2 below gives a sample
of telephone access cost data.
Table 2. Telephone Access Cost Data ($TT) - as of May 1, 1999
Cost of 3min local call 0.23 to 1.15
Cost of 3min International Call (to the US) 12.00 to 18.00
Domestic Leased Circuits (Monthly)
• 4.8kps
• 64kps
• 1024kps
- 1760
- 2599
- 5868
International Leased Circuits (US/Canada/UK) (Monthly)
• 64kps
• 2048kps
- 22743
- 227430
(data supplied by TSTT)
7 Universal Service refers to the availability, non-discriminatory access and widespread affordability of telephone service. The level of Universal Service is statistically measured as the percentage of Households with a telephone. From ITU, World Telecommunications development Report, 4th Ed., 1998. 8 National Submissions on List of "Internet Readiness" Indicators - FTAA Joint Government-Private Sector Committee on Electronic Commerce. 9 Plain Old Telephone System.
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5.1.2 Internet Access
Table 3 shows sample Internet access cost data and aggregated connectivity data.
Although access cost (dial-up) compares favorably with the most of the Caribbean
region, the local Internet user pays more than ten times as much for comparable access
as a US user. For the average business seeking dedicated access, the cost factor given
the figures below would in most cases be extremely prohibitive.
However, the rate of connectivity has been growing steadily for both business and
individual users, with a current level of more than 35000 users, and more than 60000
with email access. This current level represents less than 15 percent of the currently
installed telephone base. There is still therefore much ground that remains to be
covered.
Table 3. Summary Internet Access Data
Internet Access Cost (dial-up) $TT 80.00 per 20hrs to 800
unlimited access
Dedicated Access Cost (monthly) - 64k - T1
- 10000
- 206000
Approx. Number of Dial-Up Lines (Business and Private)
35000
Number of Dedicated Access Lines 55
Number of Email Accounts (private and Business)10
60000
(based on data collected from ISPs by Ministry of Trade, Industry and Consumer Affairs - April 2000)
Although comprehensive data on business access was not available, data from the
Chamber of Commerce showed at least seventy percent of their more than seven
10 The figure here may be understated to the extent that many people possess email accounts not issued by the local ISP. These come from a variety of the free email sources such as hotmail and yahoo.
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hundred members with some type of access to the Internet, varying from a simple email
address to dial-up or dedicated access to having a complete Internet presence via a
website hosted in their own domain name or in the domain name of a parent company.
Whilst these figures may not apply to the entire business population, they are at least
indicative of a growing trend to get connected.
Additionally, in order to take advantage of many of the available services, broadband
access, i.e. access at high bit rates, must be available. The FCC (Federal
Communications Commission) of the US currently defines broadband as the capability
of supporting at least 200 kilobits per second (kbps) bi-directionally (upstream and
downstream) in the consumer's connection to the network or the "last mile". None of our
existing access methods come close to providing broadband access to the Internet.
5.1.3 Diffusion of Personal Computers and Computing
No data was available on the installed base of computers at any level, business or
residential. However, from the connectivity data above, a plausible assumption for
computer diffusion would be between ten to fifteen percent of local households. If this
figure is reliable, a rate of under twenty-five percent of households with computers is
clearly not acceptable as we begin the twenty-first century.
With regard to businesses, data compiled from several local Chambers of Commerce
shows at least seventy percent of their membership with some sort of computing
access, installed or otherwise. Again, although many of the international giants in
information technology have a presence in Trinidad and Tobago, there exists little or no
information technology based industries, hardware or software.
5.2 LEGISLATIVE INFRASTRUCTURE
Although some in the legal fraternity are of the opinion that many aspects of electronic
commerce can be adequately handled by our existing legal framework, our laws
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currently do not expressly address E-Commerce issues. However, it is clear that
electronic commerce not only brings totally new legal issues to the table but also
modifies the perspective of many of the existing ones. Trinidad and Tobago has started
to examine the legal questions raised by electronic commerce and currently three E-
Commerce related bills are under the consideration of the Attorney General's Office.
5.3 FINANCIAL AND BANKING INFRASTRUCTURE
According to a statement from the Banker's association of Trinidad and Tobago, it
appears that although the banks are fully cognizant of what is required for true e-
commerce enablement, those services have not yet been made available in the local
payments system. According to the Bankers Association, its members
"… are aware of the trend towards payments for goods and services across the
Internet and individually and collectively have been reviewing strategies to position the
local payment systems infrastructure to support Internet-based payments."
Their statement suggests that the banks are still at a technology and business case
review stage. There is no indication of how long this process will take. In the interim,
businesses that wish to do Internet E-Commerce have to resort to off-line credit card
validation and processing. For heavy transaction based businesses, this is not a viable
option. Such businesses that wish to have automatic processing of Internet payments
may require a relationship with an offshore financial institution. However, the local
Bankers have indicated a willingness to work with their customers on a one on one basis
to come up with "viable solutions for the acceptance of Internet-based payments".
5.4 E-COMMERCE SERVICE PROVIDERS
At the present time, two options are available for businesses wishing to establish an E-
Commerce operation; they can self-host, or they can be hosted by an E-Commerce
Service Provider (CSP).
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Businesses in Trinidad and Tobago are beginning to move towards E-Commerce, but to
date, there are no full-service E-Commerce self-hosted businesses in Trinidad and
Tobago. A number of businesses which appear to offer full Business-to-Consumer
services (most notably a number of Carnival bands) are actually hosted at commercial
E-Commerce Service Providers in the US. A number of businesses such as CHIC and
NEMWIL have recently begun advertising on-line insurance applications on the Internet,
but these businesses are at the early stages of E-Commerce implementation, with major
manual business process interfaces being required at various stages of the transaction.
At the present time, there are no full-service E-Commerce Service Providers in Trinidad
and Tobago. An E-Commerce Service Provider supplies a service whereby:
• It hosts merchants (sellers of goods or services) at its site • Customers access the site via the Internet and place orders for the goods and/or
services • It accepts credit card payments at the time of the transaction, which are
automatically electronically forwarded for authorization • The customer’s credit card account is automatically debited and the merchant’s
account is automatically credited • Order confirmations and acknowledgements are sent to the customer, and
shipping and delivery instructions are sent to the merchant
The absence of a local full-service CSP is a significant inhibitor for MSME adoption of E-
Commerce. Larger companies with the resources and expertise will be able to either
self-host on their own server, or enter into an off-shore hosting arrangement. In time,
market forces will be expected to encourage one or more private sector businesses to
offer such a service locally. It may be necessary, however, for Government to subsidise
the cost of the service if it wishes to perform an “incubator” function in order to make the
cost of the service affordable to the MSMEs.
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PART 2
RECOMMENDATIONS
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6.0 STRENGTHENING THE INFORMATION IFRASTRUCTURE
6.1 BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW
The foundation of an effective national electronic commerce policy is an information
infrastructure on par with the best in the world. The Government of Trinidad and Tobago
should therefore be committed to the establishment of a state-of-the-art
telecommunications, computing and information infrastructure as national policy. This is
the most critical component and the pivot around which other aspects of the policy will
radiate. A much discussed method of strengthening the information infrastructure, and
one which the NECPC fully endorse, is telecommunications liberalization. Thus far, the
national government has displayed some level of commitment to this by opening up
value-added services, such as broadcasting, Internet service provision and in particular
the cellular service market, to competition. We are also of the opinion that the
undertaking to the WTO11 to open the basic telecommunications market (PSTN) by 2010
should be advanced considerably prior to that date.
A major constraint in the present infrastructure and to the achievement of policy is
limited bandwidth. There are bandwidth concerns at three levels, our connection to the
international backbone, our local backbone and connections from residences and
businesses to the local backbone. There are a total of 8 E-1 (16 mgbs) lines in TSTT’s
network, whereas a small firm in Miami can have as much as has 41 mgbs.
Asymmetric networks are consequently forming where companies are accessing servers
abroad and returning graphic intensive images to Trinidad and Tobago. Greater
bandwidth requirements exist on the down-stream side of traffic switching. TSTT is not
11 World Trade Organization.
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stopping this, but ISP12 customers are forced to deal with more than one carrier for a
well-performing network that is commercially competitive.
Another limiting factor is the prohibitive costs of dedicated circuits such as a T-1 carrier.
Currently, a local 256k circuit costs about TT$30,000.00 per month, whilst the cost of a
T-1 is approximately TT$200000 per month for a re-seller and $100000 for an end-user.
In addition to its prohibitive cost, the current provision of circuits and bandwidth is far
from what is needed to meet demand. This current limited availability of bandwidth and
circuits has to do with both intra-country and international access.
It is clear that the present carriers will not be able to satisfy Internet requirements in the
near future as the PSTN was not designed to meet both the projected volume and the
type of data traffic. Internationally, networks are currently in development for the GIS;
which is expected to come on-stream in the period 2003-2005. Globally, there are
several commercial ventures in process hoping to meet the needs of the GIS. These
include
(a) Project Oxygen Global Fibre Network with tremendous capacity.
(b) Teledeisic (incorporating Iridium and ICO) will have 275 space segments, providing broad-bandwidth in the sky.
(c) Sky bridge is a new global satellite company, designed to meet the needs of the future Internet e.g., terabits/sec.
All these firms have applied for licenses and permission to do business in Trinidad and
Tobago, and would no doubt bring technologies that would solve our immediate
bandwidth problem. However, in planning our infrastructure, preference should be given
to technologies with the best potential for extremely high rates of data transmission, as
the growth in bandwidth demand is likely to be exponential as new types of applications
are developed. Table 4 below gives an idea of the bandwidth requirements for a sample
of applications.
12 Internet Service Provider
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Table 4. Bit Rates for a Sample of Applications
Application Representative Rate
(kilobits/second)
V34 Modem over Telephone Voice Circuit 33
Digital telephone voice circuit -
Low resolution conference-quality video (compressed) 200
Compact Disc Audio 1400
VCR quality TV (compressed) 1500
Broadcast quality TV (compressed) 5000
High Definition TV (compressed) 20000
Source: Advanced Telecommunications in Rural America The - Challenge of Bringing Broadband Service to all Americans - April 2000
From the table, it is readily apparent that the FCC's definition of broadband (200 kbps)
would have to be revisited to cater for applications such as HDTV.
With the government’s focus on using Distance Education to expand access to
educational opportunities by all sectors of the population, there will be a much greater
need for affordable high bandwidth Internet access. The Internet will become the
standard technology by which many distance learning programmes will be delivered in
the future.
Another area of concern is the need to ensure that appropriate standards are
implemented and maintained to enable global interoperability. Issues of interoperability
are critical from the interface (browser) level to the network inter-connectivity level. Open
and non-proprietary architectures such as TCPIP are being used by banks and ISP’s
locally today. Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean are following the market and
there are no barriers to entry due to standards, which are constantly evolving. We must
be continually market competitive and conscious of technology change patterns, e.g. the
electronic payment terminals, and the shift in the USA towards SSL (Secure Socket
Layer) over SET (Secure Electronic Transaction).
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The Internet has evolved as a self-regulating entity, and as a general rule should be
allowed to continue to do so in order to foster the same levels of creativity that it has
experienced thus far. However, there are some issues with regard to the management
of the Internet with which we should be concerned at the national level. One such is the
management and use of the "tt ccTLD", the top level domain country code for Trinidad
and Tobago. Use of the "tt" domain relates the site directly to Trinidad and Tobago, and
thus use of the name by rogue sites promoting for example pedophilia, may impact
negatively on the country's image. There is also a need to relate the names being
registered under the .tt ccTLD to the tradenames currently being used in the country.
For these and other purposes, strict guidelines should be laid down for the use of the "tt"
top level domain.
Other regulatory aspects related to the Internet in Trinidad &Tobago are very open.
There are no licensing requirements for ISPs and other Internet related service
providers, and no regulations are in place or anticipated. The question that requires
addressing is the extent to which Internet related activities in Trinidad and Tobago
should continue to be totally self-regulating.
6.2 RECOMMENDATIONS In light of the above considerations and to promote the development of E-Commerce in
Trinidad and Tobago through the strengthening of the Information Infrastructure, the
NECPC submits the following recommendations:
1. For the development of the telecommunications sector and the expansion of
infrastructure policy, implementation must occur to legalize competition and
liberalization to develop the network and meet demand as soon as possible.
2. The Licensing of alternative carriers for ISP’s for upstream and down-stream traffic
should be accelerated with a functioning, autonomous, competent Telecom
Authority. Two possible approaches are:
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(i) bringing another carrier to create competition; or (ii) introducing newer technologies e.g. 3rd generation cellular able to handle
2mgbs data rates; VSAT’s, DWDM, A-DSL (giving ISP’s more bandwidth to the customer;) enabling web-casting for local consumption.
3. Barriers to accessing higher levels of encryption which confer trade advantages on
the North and foster dependence, must be addressed. Although, the recent
release of 128bps encryption by the U.S. and Canada (which enables security for
banking transactions) is a welcome development and its regularization is
facilitating the growth of e-trade, in all international fora Trinidad and Tobago
should promote the removal of such technology barriers.
4. To reduce dependence, given the sorting out of the limited bandwidth and
encryption release issus, back-end credit card validation by Trinidad and Tobago
and Regional banks should be accelerated to facilitate on-line commerce and
validation.
5. Technology transfer must continue to be a trade negotiation objective of Trinidad
and Tobago to deepen and expand the knowledge base in telecommunications
and information technology.
6. TSTT and any licensed carrier should establish a one call-district price for all
Internet access calls, i.e. a uniform toll rate.
7. Trinidad and Tobago must liberalize to get on board and not be by-passed. Open
access markets must be qualified to ensure effective local participation in joint
ventures, training and technological transfer, fair trade and employment practices.
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8. Our concept of Universal access should be redefined. The 20/100 teledensity must
be expanded to include subscriber Terminal Equipment for (voice, data, image) at
affordable prices at home, business, school and for rural community centers.
9. Trinidad and Tobago needs to follow discussions internationally on taxation of
E-Commerce, but maintain a ‘Hands-Off’ position with regard to the taxing of
transactions for the time being.
10. Policy guidelines for the registration of Domain names with regard to the .tt country
code top level domain of Trinidad & Tobago should be developed by the National
E-Commerce Coordinator. The Coordinator should ensure that such policy
guidelines are consistent with other international standards regarding top level
domain names (eg., ICANN).
11. The establishment of a ‘National Information Back-Bone’, a data highway enabling
users (especially commercial) all over Trinidad & Tobago to have better intra-
country and international access.
12. Political will must be manifest to push this process forward nationally and
regionally.
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7.0 INCREASING PARTICIPATION IN E-COMMERCE
7.1 INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW
In this section the NECPC examined the ways in which country-wide participation in E-
Commerce could be facilitated and increased. The recommendations here were thus
arrived at with the following areas of focus in mind:
1. To increase participation in Electronic Commerce by the Public and Private Sectors with special focus on the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME).
2. Government acting as a Role Model with its use of the Internet and E-Commerce.
3. To Facilitate Universal Access to the Internet and E-Commerce by all citizens, especially those who would normally be disadvantaged because of income, education, or geographic location.
From an analysis of available membership data from a number of business associations
(viz., Trinidad & Tobago Chamber of Industry & Commerce, American Chamber of
Commerce of Trinidad & Tobago, South Chamber of Trinidad & Tobago, Trinidad &
Tobago Manufacturers Association), it is clear that internet usage has been growing
rapidly among members of the business community. However, the vast majority of
business users use the internet for e-mail or simple research. and apart from overseas
purchasing from media (CDs, software, books) or electronics (primarily computer
equipment and accessories) suppliers, most companies do not make use the Internet for
E-Commerce purposes. Because of the rate with which E-Commerce is being
popularised all over the world, it is important that the use of this technology be
dramatically increased in Trinidad as soon as possible.
The business community’s primary need is for the Government to be a facilitator - to
create an enabling environment, free from infrastructural and legislative inhibitors as
much as possible. Such an environment would allow entrepreneurial and market forces
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to operate, which should result in business services being created by private enterprise
to meet business and consumer needs.
At the same time, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) will not usually have
the skills, knowledge, experience or resources to be able to spontaneously and
independently take advantage of the opportunities offered by the Internet and E-
Commerce. For such enterprises, Government needs to recognise the special needs of
this sector and provide special assistance by way of advice, implementation assistance,
access to expertise, and even financial support.
Government can also play a direct role by virtue of its own use of Internet technology
and E-Commerce - first, to transform itself and improve customer service via improved
internal efficiency and effectiveness, and second, by acting as a role model. By showing
the way, Government would be able to serve as a “technology demonstrator”, which
should help stimulate earlier and faster adoption of E-Commerce by the target sectors of
the economy.
In order to increase individuals’ local participation in E-Commerce, the first priority of the
Government is to improve overall access to the infrastructure and tools which underpin
the Internet, namely telephones, computers and the Internet. This is critical to ensure
that the benefits of the new digital economy are accessible to all citizens - especially
those who would not normally have equal access to the new technologies, such as
people who are in low-income households, under-educated, or live in rural communities.
Also very important to this group will be to try to make such access as affordable as
possible.
Government's efforts to increase participation in electronic commerce (E-Commerce)
throughout Trinidad and Tobago should be carried out in five principal ways:
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1. Government should act as a facilitator to the private sector and to private
individuals by laying the legal, economic and infrastructural framework for the
speedy development of an advanced national E-Commerce infrastructure.
2. Government should act as a co-ordinator for addressing national E-Commerce
issues in both the Public and Private Sectors through the appointment of a National
E-Commerce Coordinator. Among other responsibilities, the Coordinator should
promote the use and benefits of E-Commerce to all parties.
3. Government should act as an educator by increasing access to education
programmes at all levels, in the areas of computer literacy, Internet usage, E-
Commerce, and associated technologies. This is to serve two purposes: to equip
citizens to function in the new electronically driven marketplace, and to ensure that
there will be an adequate supply of people in the marketplace who have the skills
and knowledge to develop, implement and support Internet and E-Commerce
projects.
4. Government should act as a role model in the effective use of E-Commerce by
aggressively implementing Internet technologies in the Public Service and moving
towards the supply of goods and services to the public via the Internet. In so doing,
it should aggressively seek to reengineer its internal processes to be able to take
advantages of the potential benefits which the new technologies make possible. In
this context, Government will move to becoming an E-Government.
5. Government should act as a social program implementor by promoting and
implementing policies which would improve the accessibility to computers and the
Internet by the less advantaged segments of the society.
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7.2 GOVERNMENT AS A FACILITATOR
7.2.1 Through Increased Public Access to Information Technology and E-Commerce
Government should continue to encourage the widespread purchase and use of
personal computers and Information Technology among members of the general
population by extending its current position of imposing zero VAT and Import duties on
computer hardware and software. low taxes and duties to related equipment such as
telecommunications equipment (modems, hubs, routers etc).
Government should facilitate Internet access and E-Commerce among those citizens
who do not own or have access to computers through the provision of computer and
Internet facilities at geographically dispersed local Community Access Centers. Special
focus can be directed at low-income or geographically remote communities in order to
give these communities the opportunity to benefit from such access.
Government should also work with TSTT to ensure that telephone services are available
in communities which are not currently served. For those low-income areas where there
is likely to be a dependence on Community Access Centers instead of homes as the
Internet access location, consideration should be given to developing a special fee
structure for those Centers which would make the telephone charges as affordable as
possible.
7.2.2 Through the development of an affordable Telecommunications Service Government should adopt pro-competition policies in the local telecommunications
industry by allowing entry of new competitors into the marketplace and by relaxing
regulatory controls as much as possible. This would result in increased access to the
latest technologies and a telecommunications infrastructure with lower, more affordable
prices. As telecommunications costs represent a very significant cost component of an
E-Commerce environment, an affordable and reliable high-bandwidth
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telecommunications network would be a key prerequisite for greater use of the Internet
and E-Commerce in Trinidad & Tobago.
7.2.3 Through the Proper Consideration of Internet and E-Commerce Issues in National Policy Making
Government should continuously give appropriate consideration of Internet and E-
Commerce issues when developing its national policy agendas. The effective use of
computers, the Internet and E-Commerce are inextricably linked to the general
economic development of the country. Over time, E-Commerce will become the way that
most business all over the world is conducted, and the Government’s success in
effectively addressing issues which arise in this context will become increasingly
important to the survival of small economies such as ours.
TIDCO and the various Trade Facilitation Agencies should also be asked to factor in E-
Commerce and Internet-based initiatives into their existing and future market penetration
and trade promotion programmes. Virtual Trade Shows (e.g.TIDCO's Tradepoint
Network or the excellent model of Southex's Virtual Show - www.southex.co.tt) are low-
cost, high output, high impact approaches that could achieve significantly more than the
relatively inefficient, primary approaches currently being pursued.
7.2.4 Through Special Consideration of the Needs of Micro, Small and Medium
Sized Enterprises In recognition of their role in the national economy as a major employer and their unique
needs, special assistance should be given by the Government to Micro, Small and
Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to enable them to cope with the barriers to entering the E-
Commerce market. Government should encourage these MSME's to become e-
businesses by helping them overcome their IT related obstacles which are a
consequence of their smaller size and more limited resources.
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The Small Business Development Company (SBDC) should extend their range of
services offered to assist these enterprises in taking advantage of E-Commerce
technologies. MSMEs will require technical advice and guidance, implementation
assistance, and even financial aid as they make greater use of computers, the Internet
and E-Commerce. This can best be provided by a special IT support unit within the
SBDC. In order for the SBDC to fulfill its expanded role, it will require increased funding
and resources from the Government.
Government should facilitate the development of a cyber-network of information,
guidance and facilitation or "EnterpriseNeTT" for MSMEs and encourage participation by
MSMEs of this facility. The facility could be provided by a State Agency such as TIDCO,
and offered to the MSMEs at subsidised rates. It could be modeled after already
established online communities such as Go2Net's Hypermart. The proposed
"EnterpriseNeTT" could offer MSMEs services such as Website Design, Hosting &
Maintenance among others such as:
• E-Commerce Support, including Shopping Cart Software, Secure Servers and
Merchant Account assistance.
• A Buyers' Cooperative (offering special rates on business supplies and
equipment).
• Continuously updated Online Education and Training in all aspects of business,
and especially in E-Commerce.
• Consultant Database for those enterprises which require additional/specialized
face-to-face or interactive help.
Further collabouration between the various Chambers of Commerce, the TTMA, and
other similar business organisations should be actively encouraged through use of the
"EnterpriseNeTT". Thus, another aspect of "EnterpriseNeTT" could be chatrooms and
bulletin boards/message forums (moderated by significant Business Associations)
where MSMEs could network, obtain, post and exchange ideas and information.
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One of the major potential benefits of the Internet is its ability to allow local
manufacturers to more easily penetrate overseas markets. Once a sale is made,
however, the supplier then faces a real challenge of how to fulfil customers’ overseas
orders in the very short timeframes that Internet consumers have come to expect. Large
manufacturers address this concern by establishing a stocked “staging area” (e.g., in
Miami for the U.S. Marketplace) from which orders can be delivered very quickly. As
MSMEs do not individually have the resources to establish their own overseas staging
areas, a common staging facility which could be shared by many MSMEs is the ideal
solution. Ideally, this should be a commercial service offered by a private sector
business, but in the event that such a service is not immediately forthcoming from the
private sector, government should take on the role of facilitator and incubator for these
MSMEs by establishing the facility. This will allow the jumpstarting of MSME sales and
market penetration into targeted export marketplaces.
7.2.5 Through the Development of an Easily Obtainable Means of Effecting On-Line Payments.
Government should encourage the banking sector to introduce an instrument which
would facilitate electronic payment for those individuals who would not normally have
qualified for traditional credit cards. Presently, international credit cards are the main
instruments by which the majority of E-Commerce transactions take place on the
Internet. Limited access to credit cards would slow down universal participation in E-
Commerce.
This instrument could take the form of some sort of 'prepaid' electronic transaction card
(ETC) for online transactions. Because it is pre-paid, such a card would therefore be
easily accessible to all citizens irrespective of credit standing or income level. These
ETCs could be effectively Credit Cards which did not have a pre-approved credit limit,
but would be used only so far as the pre-paid debit balance was not exhausted. The
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normal credit card authorization process that is the backbone of E-Commerce payment
systems would therefore be able to handle these ETC cards.
7.3 GOVERNMENT AS A CO-ORDINATOR
7.3.1 Through the appointment of a National E-Commerce Coordinator Because of the importance of the Internet and E-Commerce to national economic
development and international competitiveness, the Government should accelerate the
introduction of Internet technologies and E-Commerce by establishing a central
coordinating role between the Public Service and the Private Sectors. At the same time,
a coordinating body will also be very helpful within the Public Service itself to coordinate
internal activities relating to E-Commerce.
A National Coordinator should be appointed to work closely with both the public and
private sectors to promote and encourage the use of E-Commerce technologies. This
should be done via a National Coordinator with the necessary authority to gain the
cooperation of members of the Public Service as well as the Private Sector.
The National E-Commerce Coordinator should be supported by an E-Commerce
Secretariat which would provide administrative, research, and professional resources.
This would follow the model successfully adopted in 1999 to coordinate national Y2K
preparedness in both the Public and Private Sectors - namely the appointment of a
National Y2K Coordinator and the creation of a National Y2K Secretariat to provide
administrative, professional and technical support. Similar to the National Y2K
Coordinator, the National E-Commerce coordinator should have rank and status
comparable to the level of Permanent Secretary.
It is recommended that an E-Commerce Public Service Committee be formed which
would be the coordinating body for the Public Service transformation through Internet
technology. The committee should comprise the National E-Commerce Coordinator as
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Chairman, with members being the NISC Executive Director and senior representatives
of departments and Ministries in the Public Service that would play an important role
such as the Ministry of Information and Communication in the Prime Minister’s Office,
the Ministry of Public Administration, the Auditor General’s Department, the Ministry of
the Attorney General and Legal Affairs, and the Ministry of Finance, Planning &
Development. To the extent that Private Sector individuals can provide assistance
without creating situations where conflicts of interest or access to restricted and
confidential information might arise, such individuals can be invited to participate in the
activity of the Public Service Committee at appropriate times.
The Coordinator and the Secretariat would be expected to perform a variety of roles
such as to:
• Ensure that a comprehensive Policy Framework for facilitating economic development and the movement to E-Commerce and E-Government continues to be developed. This will form the basis for a consensus-based Action Plan supported by all key public and private sector stakeholders. The Action Plan will address issues or concerns which create inhibitors to increased utilization of computers, E-Commerce and E-Government. This would include issues regarding the technology, security, legislative and regulatory frameworks necessary for wider E-Commerce use.
• Coordinate the activities arising from the execution of the Action Plan. In this context, the Coordinator will be required to interface with stakeholders in both the private and public sectors.
• Coordinate and Develop public awareness programs to inform the public, public and private sectors on the importance and benefits of using computer technology in general and E-Commerce.
• Provide a central point of contact and coordination with respect to queries and requests for information or advice on how to implement E-Commerce solutions.
• Identify and facilitate actions towards addressing issues or concerns which create inhibitors towards increased utilization of computers, the Internet, and E-Commerce in both the Public and Private Sectors. This would include issues regarding the technology, security, legislative and regulatory frameworks necessary for wider E-Commerce use.
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• Conduct such field research as necessary and to make recommendations based on the findings as may be suggested in order to achieve the Government’s objectives. In addition, because of the rapid pace of E-Commerce technology changes, field research will also be required to ensure that the Government remains aware of overall international technology changes, and their impact on the local environment.
The National E-Commerce Coordinator should report to a Cabinet Subcommittee
comprising at a minimum, the Ministers of Trade, Industry and Consumer Affairs,
Information & Communication, Public Administration, Finance, Planning & Development,
and Social & Community Development. This would ensure that the high level focus and
sponsorship necessary for success will be present. These key ministries will ensure that
these major objectives are achieved:
• Public Service Transformation to E-Government.
• Business and Economic Development via greater E-Commerce usage.
• Improved Universal Access to computers and the Internet for Citizens as a key strategy for and Citizen and Community Development.
It is also recommended that a Standing Advisory Committee on E-Commerce be
retained which comprises membership from major stakeholders (such as currently the
organizations which currently comprise the National E-Commerce Policy Committee).
This committee would act as an important source of input to the coordinator .
7.4 GOVERNMENT AS AN EDUCATOR
7.4.1 Through the Provision of Information Technology and E-Commerce Training
Government should as a matter of urgency, revamp curricula at all levels of the
educational system in the country, with the objective of ensuring that adequate computer
and IT skills are developed to meet the country’s needs. This would include the Primary,
Secondary, Tertiary and Technical/Vocational areas. Computer and Internet literacy
should be introduced as compulsory subjects beginning at the Primary level with
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continuation into Secondary level. Computer Literacy should be promoted as being as
critical for future employment prerequisites similar to the way in which Mathematics and
English Language are considered fundamental in today’s job market.
At the post-secondary level, it is important for the University of the West Indies and the
technical colleges affiliated with COSTAATT13 to offer appropriate undergraduate,
postgraduate and technical courses in computer studies, the Internet and E-Commerce.
This is extremely necessary to develop a large pool of skilled individuals who would be
needed to develop and implement the systems required by the business and public
sectors.
The UWI and the COSTAATT colleges should be encouraged by the Ministry of Training
and Distance Learning to develop IT technical courses which could be delivered over
the Internet. This would expand the accessibility of post-secondary education to citizens
by making it very convenient for citizens to continue their education regardless of the
location of their place of residence.
7.5 GOVERNMENT AS AN E-COMMERCE USER AND ROLE MODEL 7.5.1 Through increased internal use of computers and the Internet
Government should aggressively seek to increase the use of computers in the Public
Service and use of Internet and E-Commerce technologies to transform the way in
which it conducts its internal processes and deliver services. By changing the way in
which it interacts internally and externally, it can dramatically improve its efficiency and
effectiveness, which would result in greatly improved customer service to the public.
With increased efficiencies and effectiveness, there should be a corresponding
decrease in recurrent expenditures as well as increased revenue. The additional funds
gained can then be redirected towards other pressing requirements.
13 College of Science, Technology, and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago.
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Government should use the Internet to make all relevant information on Ministries,
Departments, Agencies and State Institutions more accessible to the public. Such on-
line information could include: role and functions, location and addresses, contact
information, services provided, hours of service, procedures, processes and regulations,
and would be available on a 7 day per week, 24 hour per day basis. By making this
information available via the Internet, it would greatly increase the convenience to the
public by reducing travel requirements and increasing service hours. By also making
government information more accessible to the public, citizens would also become more
aware of and educated about governance issues.
Government should re-engineer its internal business processes and the civil service
regulations if necessary, to allow for the sale and delivery of products and services to
the public through the Internet. This would include measures to be put in place to enable
monetary payments to be made by the general public to state collecting agencies
electronically - via credit cards and ETCs.
A Public Service work-group should be established as a matter of priority to identify
those issues which will affect Government departments’ ability to deliver services and
accept electronic payments via the Internet. Examples of relevant factors would be
approvals from oversight agencies such as the Auditor General’s department and the
Ministry of Finance, and revising those regulations which would inhibit the receipt of
payments for goods or services.
7.5.2 By Setting An Example For Emulation By Others
Government could play an important role in promoting the use of Internet technologies,
among members of the Public and in the Private Sector by becoming a model user of
these technologies. By becoming an E-Government, thereby “leading the charge”, it will
be in a position to allow private sector enterprises to learn from Government
Departments’ experiences in implementing E-Commerce solutions. This would
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encourage private sector enterprises to accelerate the implementation of these
technologies in their own operations. Furthermore, by implementing state of the art
technologies and processes, Government will become a technology showcase model for
private sector enterprises to emulate.
The modeling will benefit both the Public and Private Sectors; the Public Sector will be
able to use this as a key catalyst for the transformation of the Public Service, while
gaining the benefits of vastly improved efficiency and effectiveness, and the Private
Sector will be able to use the Government’s experience and role modeling to facilitate
faster implementation of their own E-Commerce projects at the same time.
7.6 GOVERNMENT AS A SOCIAL PROGRAMS IMPLEMENTOR 7.6.1 Through establishment of social enabling policies
Government must establish policies which are directed at ensuring that the less
advantaged segments of the society have access to telecommunications and computer
technology. Available research in the United States has shown that there is a growing
“digital divide” between those who have access to the new digital economy and the
Internet and those who don’t, and that the divide exists along the lines of education,
income, region, and race.
Specifically, policies to be adopted by the Government should include:
• Policies which are aimed at ensuring that affordable telephone service is available to all households in the country - even in remote areas. Government should maintain pro-competition policies in the telecommunications industry. This would encourage open-market competition, resulting in overall lower costs and better service to consumers. At the same time, Government needs to ensure that service to rural areas is provided, even thought it might not be financially economical for the telecommunications provider to provide service in these areas. Government should also ensure that the telecommunications service providers are prepared to provide Internet access at reduced rates, subsidised if necessary, to specially categories of customers - such as schools and Community Access Centers.
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• Policies which would have the objective of making computers affordable to as many households as possible - especially low-income households
• Policies which are aimed at making computer and Internet access available to people who cannot afford their own computer or their own Internet access. To this end, as Government moves to de-monopolise the telecommunications industry, it can request that interested entrants include proposals in the License applications for offering reduced-cost telecommunications and Internet access to qualified institutions (such as Community Centres in underdeveloped areas).
• As social, educational and cultural factors are also significant determinants to the willingness and ability to use computers, Government needs to implement outreach and educational programs to help address these factors. These should be implemented as part of the Community Access Centres which are recommended in Section 7.6.4.
7.6.2 Through its management of fiscal policy Through its management of fiscal policy, Government should continue to ensure that
computers can be imported and sold to the public at affordable prices. In this context,
Government should stay the course and maintain its zero-duty and zero-Vat position on
the import of computers and software. At the same time, government should extend
zero-duty and zero-Vat status to telecommunications equipment (e.g., modems, hubs &
routers - which are vital for Internet-access services), as well as Internet services
themselves. Through the resulting reduction in the cost of Internet services, this would
help encourage faster and wider adoption of this new technology by everyone.
7.6.3 Through Tax Incentives Through tax incentives, Government should encourage the private sector to subsidize
computers to employees through company funded or subsidised Employee Purchase
Plans. Government can also consider offering businesses a tax incentive to change their
computers more frequently, provided the replaced computers are made available to less
advantaged and needy organizations or communities.
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7.6.4 Through The Establishment of Community Access Centers (CACs)
Government should establish Community Access Centers (CACs), where members of
the public would be able to learn how to use computers and gain access to the Internet.
These CACs would be particularly important in poorer or more rural communities.
Potential CACs could be located at schools, public libraries, community centers, or post
offices in the target areas if they exist and are suitable for such objectives.
The CACs would be equipped with computers with Internet access. Members of the
public who could not afford their own computers or Internet access would thus to able to
find a facility close to their place of residence to make use of the computers. The CACs
would therefore go a long way towards addressing the “digital divide” which tends to
separate people who have access to the digital economy and the Internet and those
who don’t have access, because of income, education, race, or residence.
In conjunction with the Ministry of Training and Distance Learning or other appropriate
public agency, the CACs could also be used as a computer skills training center. This
would mean that citizens could use the computer facilities as a means to access
computer-assisted training courses as well as Internet-based and delivered education.
The CACs would therefore be a means to help bridge the “education divide” that results
with people who live in remote areas.
Just as importantly, citizens in areas served by CACs would be able to gain access to
Government services (as they are made Internet accessible via E-Government) without
having to incur the burdens of extensive travel times and expenses. Via the Internet
these citizens would have access to the same online Government services as their
better-off, urban counterparts. This would help bridge the digital divide that separates
these two groups in the society.
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8.0 CLARIFYING MARKETPLACE RULES 8.1 INTRODUCTION
The Internet and its associated technologies have clouded for many people the rules
that govern commercial transactions. However many of the principles that apply to
offline transactions should also apply to online electronic transactions.
There are inevitably rules that are linked to the technology of the time in which they were
developed. A key task that would assist in clarifying marketplace rules for electronic
commerce would be the neutralisation of any rules or laws that are inherently technology
dependent. A notable example of these rules and laws are those that require
submissions or signatures “in writing” to be regarded as sufficient evidence.
It would be resource inefficient to seek out each of these rules and laws in order to
amend them appropriately. Canada has passed a Bill that appears to have the objective
of allowing legal acceptance of electronic documentation. Australia now has legislation,
"The Electronic Transactions Act" which became law in December 1999, and which
seems to have a similar objective. New Zealand appears inclined to follow the Australian
law as a model.
It is therefore proposed that:
1. Trinidad and Tobago enact new legislation that neutralises technology related constraints in existing laws which restrict the legal acceptance of electronic documentation and transactions.
In order to clarify the application of existing principles and to properly frame the
appropriate new rules or laws, the areas that are thought most likely to be in some way
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technology dependent have been determined and examined. The results of this work
are outlined in Appendix 3, Guiding Principles for the Recommendations of the NECPC.
The other proposals contained in this section therefore are based on the principles
therein outlined and are designed to clarify the actions that can be taken to implement
the principles proposed in that document.
For convenience the following are extracted from the Appendix.
"Marketplace rules refer to those that govern the code of conduct of parties involved in
business (including government) transactions."
"These rules may be encoded in legislation, agreed by contract or accepted on moral
grounds."
"The growth in electronic commerce in Trinidad and Tobago would be slowed
considerably unless the marketplace rules in certain key areas are seen to be at least as
clear as the existing rules."
"The areas are Intellectual Property Rights, Administration and Enforcement of Taxation
Laws, Harmful and Illegal Content, Jurisdictional Conflicts, Labour Laws, and Electronic
Payment Systems."
8.2 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS 8.2.1 Ownership of Digital Content Principle Trinidad and Tobago’s Electronic Commerce policy should support provision of
Intellectual Property Rights over digital content and the participation of Trinidad and
Tobago in the international determination of Intellectual Property issues.
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This principle refers to Trinidad and Tobago's support for the owners of original works,
including works available in digital form, to have the right to exclude others from making
unauthorised copies of their work.
The digital technologies make the copying of works without the permission of the owner
easier than ever. That it is easier to break the rules in this area does not suggest that
the principle on which the rule is founded is flawed.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Copyright Act, 1997 was written with digital content included in
mind and also the benefit of the recently concluded WIPO Copyright Treaty and the
WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty. In Trinidad and Tobago, therefore,
copying of original digital content in the course of electronic commerce without the
permission of the owner is considered an infringement of copyright.
Given the international nature of electronic commerce, however, it is necessary to
cooperate internationally with other States to ensure mutual respect for the relevant
rights. And it is necessary to encourage as many of our trading partners and others to
similar international agreements.
It is therefore proposed that:
1. Trinidad and Tobago accede to the WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT) and the
WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT) as soon as possible;
2. Trinidad and Tobago actively encourage other States to accede to these Treaties; and
3. Trinidad and Tobago participate actively in the ongoing international discussions on electronic commerce and the protection of original work that take place within the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).
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8.2.2 Liability of Internet Service Providers Principle Trinidad and Tobago’s Electronic Commerce policy should seek to limit the liability of
ISPs and intermediaries.
This principle refers to Trinidad and Tobago's support for the establishment of Internet
Service Providers and intermediaries in Trinidad and Tobago.
It is proposed that:
1. Trinidad and Tobago enacts legislation that contains provisions clearly limiting the liability of Internet Service Providers and intermediaries in areas that would discourage the growth of Electronic Commerce.
8.2.3 Trademarks and Domain Names
Principle Trinidad and Tobago’s Electronic Commerce policy should seek to discourage the use
of existing trademarks as domain names without the authorisation of the owners of the
trademarks.
This principle seeks to avoid conflicts between trademark owners and domain name
owners that could discourage or retard the growth of electronic commerce.
It is proposed that:
1. The Country Code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) Name Registrar be required to implement the guidelines for domain name registration developed by WIPO.
2. The Country Code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) Name Registrar be linked
electronically to the national trade mark data base.
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3. Trinidad and Tobago consider the establishment of an appropriate mechanism for the rapid resolution of disputes between trademark owners and domain name owners.
8.2.4 Database Protection Principle Trinidad and Tobago’s Electronic Commerce policy should seek to support the
development of appropriate international agreements on the protection of databases
This principle recognises the inherent value to electronic commerce of information and
its organisation and structuring to facilitate its use. The electronic storage, copying and
movement of information challenges the traditional perceptions of how information is
kept secret, when it is in fact copied, and when possession of the information is
transferred to someone else.
Some protection for databases is already available in Trinidad and Tobago under the
existing Copyright Act, 1997 and as trade secrets under the Protection Against Unfair
Competition Act, 1996, amongst other law.
Other States, particularly those that are members of the World Trade Organisation
(WTO) have similar law. An international agreement on the protection of databases
would, however, assist in clarifying the rules in this area.
As noted in the policy principles report, some exemptions should be allowed for access
to specific databases (for example, medical and scientific databases for research, or
meteorological databases) where restricted access might adversely affect the public
good.
Omitted from the policy principles report and so duly noted here is the need to ensure
that such protection for databases does not apply to the “general knowledge, skill and
experience” of individuals like employees of the firm who should be allowed to transfer
this information with them to new employment.
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It is therefore proposed that:
1. Trinidad and Tobago should hold National Consultations on the development of databases that might have international commercial value; and
2. Trinidad and Tobago, on the basis of information from these Consultations, seek appropriate, advantageous bi-lateral or multi-lateral agreements for the mutual protection and sharing of databases.
8.2.5 Relationship to Competition Law Principle Trinidad and Tobago’s Electronic Commerce policy should seek to discourage the unfair
use of intellectual property in the digital environment
This principle recognises that the holder of an intellectual property right, might, in a
competitive environment, act in a way that unfairly restricts competition. Equally, a
competitor might use the right-holder's intellectual property in a way that is inconsistent
with honest commercial practice. Trinidad and Tobago’s rules and laws in this area
called unfair competition are thought to be sufficiently clear and technology neutral.
The bundling of different proprietary software packages into a single product limits the
choices available to consumers and might, for example, be viewed as an anti-
competitive practice. Our laws against anti-competitive practices, as opposed to unfair
competitive practices, are still being developed.
It is therefore proposed that:
1. Trinidad and Tobago ensure that its competition policy, laws and rules are all technology neutral.
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8.3 ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF TAXATION LAWS
The seven principles that should be considered in the administration and enforcement of
the tax laws of Trinidad and Tobago to facilitate electronic commerce were identified and
described in the policy principles report and are listed here for convenience:
• Equity • Simplicity • Certainty • Effectiveness • Un-intrusive • Flexibility • Distribution
Trinidad and Tobago’s current tax systems and structures are already founded on many
of these principles and will therefore continue to be appropriate in spite of the changes
brought about by electronic transactions.
The areas that arise out of E-Commerce that are likely to need some closer attention are
those that are concerned with intermediaries, jurisdiction and the ability to effect
compliance. Again, bi-lateral and multi-lateral discussions should seek to arrive at
agreements on how these issues should be handled.
It is therefore proposed that:
1. The Board of Inland Revenue should be prepared to determine compliance requirements and to accept payment of taxes using the technologies of electronic commerce;
2. Trinidad and Tobago should seek to conclude bi-lateral and multi-lateral agreements on jurisdiction and taxation as part of its trade negotiation strategy.
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8.4 HARMFUL AND ILLEGAL CONTENT
Principle
No specific principle was highlighted in this area in the policy principles report. Mention
was made, however, of the desirability of providing user-enabled filtering, particularly for
content that might be deemed offensive or blocking of content inappropriate for children.
Mention was also made of the issue of liability in respect of defamatory material, and
truthful and accurate advertising.
In many of these areas, the rules and laws in Trinidad and Tobago are reasonably clear.
As mentioned earlier, legislation should be enacted to ensure that relevant clauses are
neutralised with respect to their dependence on technology.
8.5 JURISDICTIONAL CONFLICTS
It was noted in the policy principles report that these conflicts should be resolved at the
regional or international level. Support was also given to the use of Alternative Dispute
Resolution (ADR) mechanisms. This is particularly important for Micro, Small and
Medium Enterprises that might find the cost of pursuing legal action internationally for E-
Commerce conflicts too expensive.
It is therefore proposed that:
1. Trinidad and Tobago provide greater support for the use of ADR by commercial enterprises;
2. Trinidad and Tobago include "jurisdiction" as an issue in its international
trade negotiations; and 3. E-Commerce enterprises be encouraged to develop self-regulatory
mechanisms for the avoidance of conflict both locally and internationally.
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8.6 LABOUR LAWS
Principle
This subject was not addressed in the previous report and so some discussion that
might elucidate principles is included here.
The OECD publication, "Economic and Social Impacts of Electronic Commerce",
published in February 1999 and available on the web14 notes the difficulty in forecasting
the effect that E-Commerce might have on jobs.
In Trinidad and Tobago there is likely to be the potential for direct job growth in the
provision of information and entertainment services, software and digital products. The
possibility of job growth should also exist in the financial services sector and the postal
and delivery sectors.
In the local distribution and retail sectors generally there may not be a significant
reduction in jobs for some time as the goods purchased electronically may begin with
those not available from the proximate retail outlets.
In Trinidad and Tobago there are few signs that there will be either growth or reduction
of jobs in the sector that provides infrastructure, although there may be a small increase
with increased local competition. It is far more likely that these jobs will change their
nature rather than their quantum.
The two changes that should be considered further are therefore in the provision of
services and in the provision of infrastructure.
In the services sector E-Commerce is likely to accelerate a change to the employment of
individuals on contract for specific, often time-dependent, activities.
14 http://www.oecd.org/subject/e_commerce/summary.htm
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The principle that should be considered should be for labour related law not to provide
barriers to the movement of labour from one employer to another.
This may require changes, for example, to pension regulations that would be employee
anchored rather than employer anchored. There will also need to be a re-thinking of the
rules for collective bargaining and the way in which bargaining units become recognised.
In the sector providing infrastructure there is little new regulation that might be
necessary for the changes that may take place. Existing regulations and laws
concerning redundancy should suffice. Regulations concerning re-training might be
strengthened as the rate of change of technology suggests that such changes may
become a feature of employment in the sector.
The principle that should be considered should be for labour related law to promote the
evolution or transformation of skills of labour within the company.
On the basis of these two principles the following is proposed:
1. A Committee be established under the Chairmanship of the Ministry of Labour and with representation from labour, business and the Ministry of Education and any other relevant stakeholder to detail ways in which these principles can be implemented.
8.7 ELECTRONIC PAYMENT SYSTEMS
Principle
The principles for the development of these systems are primarily:
• Transparency • Integrity • Security • Auditability
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In addition, as outlined in the previous report, the Central Bank needs to play a
significant role in determining several aspects of electronic payment systems so that the
rules for their use can be clear. These are:
• Evaluation of Vulnerability (determining the products) • The Financial Risk Borne by Issuers of E-money (determining the issuers) • The Supervision of Payment Systems (monitoring the system) • The Operation of Monetary Policy (managing the system)
Trinidad and Tobago’s Electronic Commerce policy should consider each of the above issues.
Note should also be taken of the systems that are being developed in other jurisdictions.
Most of the E-Commerce transactions that are likely to take place initially will be cross
border. Compatibility of the payment systems will therefore need to be addressed
(similar to the way in which differing currencies are exchanged).
It is therefore proposed that:
1. The Central Bank begin to evaluate electronic payment systems and their requirements in order to determine which should be introduced in Trinidad and Tobago and when.
8.8 CONCLUSION
The clarification of market place rules could become an activity that becomes consumed
by its own minutiae. This should be avoided however possible.
Many of the existing market place rules will apply to the E-Commerce environment.
Those that do not, appear to have fairly easy resolution. This work must be regarded as
a preliminary look at the issues involved. Other countries that are well advanced in their
encouragement of E-Commerce began in much the same manner.
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Clarifying market place rules pre-emptively is undoubtedly a useful exercise. Once the
practice of E-Commerce begins to expand, those entrepreneurs involved will be in the
best position to determine which rules are unclear.
The next step is, therefore, to dedicate full time resources to oversee the implementation
of these recommendations and to respond to new issues as they arise. This, too,
appears to be the path already well trodden.
Trinidad and Tobago has a distinct advantage in that it is small enough and has
sufficient access to resources to quickly implement the infrastructural requirements
without which E-Commerce cannot exist in the first place.
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Trinidad and Tobago enact new legislation that neutralises technology
related constraints in existing laws which restrict the legal acceptance of electronic documents and transactions.
2. Trinidad and Tobago accede to the WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT) and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT) as soon as possible.
3. Trinidad and Tobago actively encourage other States to accede to the WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT) and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT) as soon as possible.
4. Trinidad and Tobago participate actively in the ongoing international discussions on electronic commerce and the protection of original work that take place within the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).
5. Trinidad and Tobago enacts legislation that contains provisions clearly limiting the liability of Internet Service Providers and intermediaries in areas that would discourage the growth of Electronic Commerce.
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6. The Country Code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) Name Registrar be required to implement the guidelines for domain name registration developed by WIPO.
7. The Country Code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) Name Registrar be linked electronically to the national trade mark data base.
8. Trinidad and Tobago consider the establishment of an appropriate mechanism for the rapid resolution of disputes between trade mark owners and domain name owners.
9. Trinidad and Tobago should hold National Consultations on the development of databases that might have international commercial value.
10. Trinidad and Tobago, on the basis of information from these Consultations, seek appropriate, advantageous bi-lateral or multi-lateral agreements for the mutual protection and sharing of databases.
11. Trinidad and Tobago ensure that its competition policy, laws and rules are all technology neutral.
12. The Board of Inland Revenue should be prepared to determine compliance requirements and to accept payment of taxes using the technologies of electronic commerce.
13. Trinidad and Tobago should seek to conclude bi-lateral and multi-lateral agreements on jurisdiction and taxation as part of its trade negotiation strategy.
14. Trinidad and Tobago provide greater support for the use of ADR by commercial enterprises;
15. Trinidad and Tobago include "jurisdiction" as an issue in its international trade negotiations; and
16. E-Commerce enterprises be encouraged to develop self-regulatory mechanisms for the avoidance of conflict both locally and internationally.
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17. A Committee be established under the Chairmanship of the Ministry of Labour and with representation from the National Trade Union Council (NATUC), the Employers Consultative Association (ECA), the Ministry of Education and any other relevant stakeholder to detail ways in which these principles can be implemented.
18. The Central Bank begin to evaluate electronic payment systems and their requirements in order to determine which should be introduced in Trinidad and Tobago and when.
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9.0 BUILDING MARKETPLACE CONFIDENCE FOR USERS OF E-COMMERCE
9.1 INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW
The policy principles which informed the recommendations in this section are outlined in
Appendix 3. In coming up with these recommendations, the NECPC focussed on the
following aspects of “Building Marketplace Confidence for E-Commerce Users”:
• The guarantee of individual privacy – the protection of personal information • Consumer rights and obligations • Validity of electronic documents and digital signatures • Authentication of transactions and Certification Authorities • Security and Access to encryption technology • Challenges to Law Enforcement
The Global Information Infrastructure Commission, an independent, non-govern
mental initiative involving communications related industry leaders from developing as
well as industrialised countries, identifies and defines seven major areas of focus to be
addressed under the rubric of consumer protection in electronic commerce, as follows:
• Truth in Advertising- In the electronic marketplace, people lack the face-to-face interaction of the traditional marketplace. In addition, they cannot hold or test a product before they buy. As a result, they must rely on the information presented to them online. Truth in advertising or providing accurate information to the consumer is essential if there is to be a trust in the digital medium.
• Electronic Contracting- Different legal and private sector rules may apply to business-to-consumer transactions. The global nature of electronic commerce poses questions about what requirements are necessary for writing, carrying out, and enforcing contracts.
• Consumer Redress- In order to foster consumer confidence in the electronic marketplace, there needs to be an effective means of resolving consumer complaints or problems.
• Online Fraud- The same types of consumer fraud that exist in the real marketplace are surfacing online. The problem is complicated by the transitory nature of the electronic marketplace and the ability to maintain anonymity.
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• Privacy Protection- The growth of electronic commerce and rapid development of networking technologies have revolutionized the way in which data can be stored, accessed, and processed. Consumers are not likely to participate in the global marketplace without assurances that their personal data exchanged during a transaction will be protected.
• Authentication and Security- Security and authentication mechanisms can provide the means to ensure and maintain the integrity of information being exchanged. These technological advances will help promote trust and confidence in electronic transactions.
• Consumer Education- As with any type of commercial transaction, there are risks associated with electronic commerce that may not be able to be resolved by an updated regulatory scheme or with technology. Consumer education can help provide consumers the information they need to make informed decisions and provide information about the consumers' rights and obligations when conducting electronic transactions.
The NECPC having considered the above basic principles that should guide the
formulation of a National E-Commerce Policy make the following recommendations to
build marketplace confidence for E-Commerce users:-
9.2 THE GUARANTEE OF INDIVIDUAL PRIVACY
Individual privacy is a constitutional right of every citizen, and we must continue to
ensure that safeguards are put in place to protect this right. Consumers are not likely to
participate in the global marketplace without assurances that their personal data
exchanged during a transaction will be protected.
Government should adopt a flexible and responsive approach to the protection of
personal data, including the acceptance of self-regulatory solutions and enact laws that
forbid the disclosure of personal data to other persons, unless so authorized by the
“data exporter”.
Our approach to the protection of personal information should not prevent transborder
data flows and our government should cooperate internationally to ensure a seamless
environment. Current international initiatives to enhance privacy protection on a global
basis should be taken into consideration.
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Government must play a key role in educating the public to use privacy-enhancing
technologies properly. To this end, Government should develop a programme/establish
a web site for the production and dissemination of such information. This should include
active measures to facilitate the introduction of E-Commerce.
9.3 CONSUMERS’ RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS
The basic principle in setting standards for consumer protection in electronic commerce
is that the rights of the consumer should not be diminished through the use of the
technology. The consumer should, as a minimum, retain existing legal rights and
protection. Recognition must be given to the following factors:
1. The protection afforded to consumers under existing laws is inadequate and
inappropriate to their needs.
2. The rights of consumers are derived from several scattered pieces of legislation
and the general law.
3. Existing consumer laws are not capable of being adapted to the peculiarities of the
on-line environment, so that E-Commerce will require novel protection and redress
mechanisms.
The development of a comprehensive consumer protection code that will guarantee the
quality of information provided to consumers is therefore imperative. The code should
require the following information:
1. The seller’s legal identity and physical location.
2. The total price of the goods including delivery charges and payment arrangements.
3. Any restrictions or conditions on purchases including warranties or guarantees.
4. Return arrangements.
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5. Mechanisms for handling complaints and offering redress.
6. Retailer’s policy on privacy.
7. Whose laws will apply.
Consumer education by government as well as consumer groups is paramount, if
consumers are to use the Internet with the degree of confidence that will promote the
growth of E-Commerce. Government should encourage consumers to use out-of-court
dispute settlement procedures, including mediation, while maintaining court proceedings
as the ultimate solution. 9.4 VALIDITY OF ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTS AND DIGITAL SIGNATURES
Any law covering digital signatures should be minimal at this time and address the
following basic standards for a law that governs E-Commerce:
1. Electronic disclosures should be permitted only when the transaction is initiated and
consummated electronically.
2. When electronic signatures are required, the technologies used must be reasonable,
reflect an actual intent to sign a document (not merely opening a package of shrink-
wrapped software) and be attached only to documents that are unalterable after the
signature is attached.
3. The consumer should be given the opportunity to accept or refuse disclosures
electronically without surcharges.
4. The consumer must be able to obtain paper copies at a reasonable cost and in a
timely manner.
5. The disclosures must actually be delivered to the consumer's mail address with a
reply requested or must be retained on the seller's Web site for the duration of the
contract.
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6. When disclosures are provided to consumers through a seller's or creditor's Web
site, they must be retained for the duration of the contract.
7. The electronic contract must be accessible and retainable by the consumer. It must
also be provided in a format that prevents alteration after it's sent, so it can be used
to prove the terms of the contract in a court of law.
8. The consumer's failure to respond to the consent request should trigger paper
disclosures, before the failure to respond triggers default.
Digital signature legislation must take into account the practical issues that are important
for consumer protection.
9.5 SECURITY AND ACCESS TO ENCRYPTION TECHNOLOGY Government has a major role to play in educating and empowering the public to
enhance awareness of their responsibilities and ability to exercise choice with respect to
their protection as consumers.
It is crucial for electronic commerce that business and end-users are able to choose the
cryptographic systems that best suit their needs.
9.6 AUTHENTICATION OF TRANSACTIONS AND CERTIFICATION AUTHORITIES Government’s policy should aim to provide a predictable legal framework based on the
fundamental concept of freedom of contract. It should be non-discriminatory;
technologically and architecturally neutral; promote flexibility as to the content, form and
function of certificates and similar authenticating devices; and promote competition
among providers of authentication services.
Rules for evaluating the legal validity of electronic signatures should not be written to
require localisation, local partners, local insurance or guarantee schemes, mutual
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recognition, or otherwise act as trade barriers. Neutral criteria relating to adequacy
should be used to determine recognition.
Our Government should use and recognise standards for electronic signatures that are
technologically neutral, commercially available and should not endorse or favour any
particular solution and should allow for technological innovation.
Our Government should facilitate the emergence of borderless networks of certification
authorities supporting mutual recognition agreements and avoid highly prescriptive
legislation based exclusively on digital signature technology. Our Government should
not impose any licensing schemes that could disrupt such mutual recognition.
Accreditation should be voluntary and based on internationally recognised best
practices.
9.7 CHALLENGES TO LAW ENFORCEMENT 1. Criminalise the unauthorised and intentional interference with computer services,
data and programs, and to the computer or computer network itself;
2. As an intended deterrent, impose very heavy fines and severe terms of
imprisonment for E-Commerce related offences;
3. When requesting, issuing or executing a search warrant or a subpoena,
government’s law enforcement agencies should take due care to cause the least
burden to the operations of the subject firm, to respect privacy and confidentiality
requirements, and not overstep the territorial scope of the subpoena or search
warrant by exploiting computer linkages with other sources in other locations. Law
enforcement agencies should not use the firm’s computers to access or seize
information stored on computers outside their jurisdiction but rather rely on existing
procedures such as mutual legal assistance treaties and legislation;
4. Train a squad of police officers to deal with E-Commerce crimes;
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5. Allow a computer printout or record to be used as evidence in civil and criminal
proceedings;
6. Make computer offences extraditable offences;
7. Since the parent legislation is already in existence, we need to enter into more
mutual legal assistance agreements, both regionally and internationally, and
extradition agreements;
8. Consider special computer training, e.g., short work shops or seminars, for legal
and judicial officers, particularly to sensitize them about this novel area;
9. As an alternative to the judicial process, enact legislation to provide for Alternative
Dispute Resolution (ADR); and
10. Consider contributing to the creation of an International Redress Mechanism.
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10.0 JUMPSTARTING THE E-ECONOMY 10.1. OVERVIEW
In sections 1 to 9 of the report, we identified a number of recommendations designed to
meet our first four policy objectives of:
• Developing a World Class Information Technology Infrastructure • Increasing Participation in E-Commerce by government, businesses and individuals • Clarifying the Rules of the Marketplace and • Building Confidence for Users of E-Commerce
Given Trinidad and Tobago's current low rate of E-Commerce diffusion and a relatively
underdeveloped enabling infrastructure, the NECPC believes that the identification of
programmes to move us quickly towards the development of a true digital economy
would be critical.
In this section we identify programmes which are both immediately actionable and also
give Trinidad and Tobago's electronic commerce agenda the required "shot in the arm".
10. 2 JUMPSTART RECOMMENDATIONS - GENERAL
1. In order to successfully promote Trinidad and Tobago’s Electronic Commerce
Agenda and ensure the achievement of the objectives as outlined in the report, there
is a critical need for an implementation and national coordination mechanism.
Government should therefore move quickly to establish the required structures by
making provisions for the appointment of a National E-Commerce Coordinator with
an appropriate supporting secretariat as outlined in section 7.3.1. The complete
proposal for this national E-Commerce coordinating facility can be reviewed at
Appendix 4. The recurrent cost to government, exclusive of special project costs, is
estimated at TT$1.2m per annum.
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The National E-Commerce Coordinator must ensure the continued development of a
national policy framework for E-Commerce and E-Government, with an
accompanying consensus-based Roadmap for execution. It may be necessary for
external consulting expertise to be used to expedite this process.
2. Given the tremendous potential that E-Commerce holds for contribution to national
economic development, it should immediately be placed on the national policy
agenda. This should be done through the inclusion of an E-Commerce policy in
Government's Medium Term Planning Framework. Appropriate funding for E-
Commerce development should also be provided in the country's National Budget.
10.3 JUMPSTART RECOMMENDATIONS - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND
TELECOMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE
The report recognizes our current high cost/low bandwidth telecommunications
environment as a major deterrent to the successful deployment of E-Commerce and the
positioning of Trinidad and Tobago as a regional E-Commerce hub. It is therefore
recommended that Government address this problem by:
1. Taking steps for the deployment of high bandwidth technologies through rapid
liberalisation. This must be not only be supported by the necessary network sharing
and interconnection policies for use of the incumbent provider's facilities but also by
the necessary competition policy and legislation to guard against practices inimical to
the economic well-being of the consumer, such as price-fixing.
2. Inviting recommendations for the development and deployment of a National
Backbone and 'last mile' technologies capable of individual delivery of ultra high
bandwidths such as that required for HDTV (20,000kps+). We believe that in our
planning we should go well beyond the FCC's definition of high-bandwidth.
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Depending on the availability of local expertise to perform this task, it may be
necessary to contract the services of an International telecommunications firm. It
may also be useful for the decision-makers to experience a totally wired community
in action, and as such site visits may be appropriate.
3. Government should immediately move to develop policy guidelines for the
administration of Trinidad and Tobago’s Country Code Top Level Domain (.tt ccTLD).
The National E-Commerce Coordinator should ensure that the ccTLD administrator:
• Implements the guidelines for domain name registration developed by WIPO,
• Electronically links the ccTLD domain name to the National Trademark
database in order prevent cybersquatting15 and other improper uses of
legitimate trademarks and names, and
• Ensures that all top level domain name registrations are consistent with
international standards such as ICANN.
10.4 Jumpstart Recommendations - Increasing Participation in E-Commerce 10.4.1 For Government 1. As the Government itself will be a major potential beneficiary as it embraces the
move towards E-Government, a high-level public service coordinating committee
should be immediately formed to spearhead the transformation. This committee will
interface closely with the National E-Commerce Coordinator to ensure that all the
enter twined private and public sector issues can be addressed in a consistent and
coordinated manner.
15 The practice of reserving a legitimate trade name as a domain name with an intention to later offer the domain name for sale to its legitimate owner in the physical world. This practice is now illegal in the U.S.
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10.4.2 For Business
1. One of the major prohibiting factors for MSMEs in business to consumer E-
Commerce is in the area of logistics. Often quantities are too small to offset high
delivery costs. To alleviate this and other problems, we recommend that staging
facilities be established in the major export markets of North America and Europe to
facilitate exports especially of small businesses. The staging facilities would serve
multiple MSMEs, thereby giving MSMEs the ability to fulfil orders faster, more easily,
and at less cost than would otherwise have been possible. The staging facilities may
take the form of a joint venture between government and the business community.
We recommend that a team drawn from TIDCO, the SBDC, TTMA and the Trinidad
and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce further consider this proposal and
submit full recommendations for its implementation. This effort should be coordinated
by the National E-Commerce Coordinator.
2. Another major impediment to E-Commerce at the business level is a perceived lack
of support from domestic financial institutions for the processing of Internet-based
payments. While local businesses can have their E-Commerce sites hosted offshore
and use offshore Payment Service Providers and Payment Gateways, this can add
additional costs and levels of complexity which would deter all but the most
determined businesses. Government should therefore seek to persuade the local
financial community to become more flexible and aggressive in offering on-shore
payment processing services for locally hosted E-Commerce businesses. 10.4.3 For the General Public
1. Cost of Internet access is a major inhibitor for increased Internet usage. In order to
further encourage Internet usage, we recommend the suspension of Value Added
Taxes on all Internet related services, in particular Internet access. For lnternet
access, the cost to Government in terms of revenue foregone based on current
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usage levels is estimated at TT$6.3m16. This suspension can be for an initial period,
and can potentially be terminated if Government feels that the concession has met
the objectives of the programme in terms of high numbers of Internet subscribers.
As part of the de-monopolisation of the telecommunications industry, Government
should request that potential new entrants into the marketplace include proposals in
their License applications for minimizing the cost of telecommunications and Internet
access to specially designated institutions (eg. CAC’s and Community Centres in
rural areas not well served by roads and public transportation).
2. In Section 7.6.4, the establishment of Community Access Centers (CAC) was
recommended as a means whereby the poorer and/or more rural communities could
gain access to computers and the Internet. Government should therefore move
immediately to ensure that a digital divide is not created or widened by establishing a
pilot project of four CACs to provide basic internet access and computer usage for
selected communities. We expect that these centers would evolve into, among other
things, facilities for the full-scale electronic delivery of government services. The
expected cost per center to Government is estimated at approximately TT$250,000
for set up and TT$300,000 for annual maintenance. A budget is attached at
Appendix 5. This project could be implemented by a team from the Ministry of Social
Development, the Ministry of Information and Communications and the National E-
Commerce Coordinator.
3. A significant inhibitor to the increased use of E-Commerce is the fact that a large
proportion of the population does not hold credit cards, which are the principal forms
of payment in Internet transactions. Government should therefore encourage
commercial banks to introduce an instrument that would facilitate electronic payment
by individuals who would not normally qualify for credit cards.
16 Estimate is based on 35000 users paying an average of $100 per month for Internet access, and a V.A.T rate of 15%.
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4. With a view to building national skills and knowledge in the new electronically driven
marketplace, increased access to education programs in the areas of computer
literacy and E-Commerce is critical. It is recommended that as a first step, Computer
and Internet literacy be made compulsory both at the Primary and Secondary levels
of the education system. Further, tertiary institutions such as COSTAATT and the
UWI should develop a specialized capacity and begin to incorporate the business
and technology aspects of electronic commerce into their programmes.
10.5 JUMPSTART RECOMMENDATIONS - CLARIFYING THE RULES OF THE
MARKET PLACE
1. Government, and specifically the office of the Attorney General should continue its
efforts to quickly put in place a legislative framework which provides for certainty and
predictability in electronic and Internet based transactions. This framework must,
inter alia,
• Be technology neutral. • Clarify the liability of network access providers and other intermediaries for
third party content, as unlimited liability would tend to discourage the growth of E-Commerce.
• Quickly create an enabling environment for electronic applications with the Public Sector.
• Provide for a Public Key infrastructure.
• Ensure that intellectual property laws can deal adequately with the new and
future technology and as far as possible conform to International treaties such as those established by the World Intellectual Property Organization.
2. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Consumer Affairs and the Office of the Attorney
General should immediately begin a review of existing policies (competition and
other), laws and rules to ensure technological neutrality and the removal of potential
obstacles to electronic trade. There should also be a mandate that all new policies
and laws conform to the technological neutrality requirement.
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10.6 JUMPSTART RECOMMENDATIONS - BUILDING USER CONFIDENCE
Government should quickly move towards providing a safe and secure environment for
all users of E-Commerce.
1. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs and the Office of the Attorney General should
immediately begin a review of existing consumer protection laws to ensure that both
businesses and consumers are protected from the abusive use of the electronic
marketplace, and that adequate recourse mechanisms are provided.
2. Government should ensure that all consumer protection legislation equally protect
both the domestic and foreign user of local E-Commerce. With this, the country can
be positioned as a "safe" E-Commerce zone.
Government should aggressively promote the establishment of regional and
international dispute resolution mechanisms at all fora.
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APPENDICES
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APPENDIX 1
Citizen access to Government via the Internet The number of areas within the Public Service that would lend themselves to an Internet-based interface with the public is extremely large. A sample of areas of public interest where online publication of information would include the following:
The Office of the Attorney General & Ministry of Legal Affairs • The Constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago • The updated laws of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago • List of licensed lawyers and legal practitioners within Trinidad and Tobago • The Companies Registry
The Elections and Boundaries Commission
• The current list of voting districts, eligible voters and voting locations (within a reasonable period before the date of any election)
The Ministry of Finance • The annual budget speech, related documents and any other financial
information that would assist in the creation of a well-informed financial environment.
The Board of Inland Revenue • Inquiries via the Internet on the status of submitted tax returns
The Central Statistical Office • Various Publications
The Government Printery
• The Trinidad and Tobago Gazette • Various Publications
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The Ministry of Health • Listing of Medical Practitioners licensed to perform within Trinidad and
Tobago. • List of approved medications and suggested maximum prices.
The Judiciary/Magistracy
• Guide to using the Judicial System of Trinidad and Tobago. • Locations and schedules of the various courts. • Scheduled dates, locations and times for the hearing of cases.
The Land and Surveys Division of the Ministry of Housing • Detailed and current maps of each part of Trinidad and Tobago.
The Central Bank
• Various Central Bank Publications. • Statistics on the performance of the economy.
Parliament • Audio transmission over the Internet of all public sessions of Parliament. • Online listing of past bills and the status of those presently before
Parliament.
The list of opportunities provided above was not intended to be comprehensive. It is expected that once successful pilot projects are implemented in the various departments, the full potential of the capabilities of the Internet will be better appreciated. The biggest barrier to identifying opportunities is the imagination. With experience therefore, many more potential areas will be identified.
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APPENDIX 2
E-Commerce in Government The following list is a sample of some ways in which E-Commerce could be applied to Government processes:
The Customs and Excise Division of the Ministry of Finance • On-line listing of the arrival dates of expected shipments/cargo and the
status of those which have arrived at the sea ports of Trinidad and Tobago. • Electronic submission of documents for advance review to expedite cargo
clearance.
The Inland Revenue Division of the Ministry of Finance • Electronic submission of tax returns. • Electronic receipt of Individual Income Tax, Business Tax and Land and
Property Tax payments.
The National Housing Authority • On line status of a tenant's account status. • On-line receipt of tenant rents.
The Ombudsman’s Office • On line submission of complaints to the Ombudsman.
The National Library • Online listing of material housed at the National Library with borrowing
status.
The Ministry of Public Utilities
• Online display of national weather conditions and forecasts.
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The Ministry of the Attorney General & Legal Affairs • Electronic receipt of payment for document search charges at the Red
House.
The Licensing Division of the Ministry of Works and Transport • Electronic receipt of payments from members of the public.
The Central Tenders Board • On-line announcement of Government Contracts for bidding. • On-line purchasing. • On-line bidding for Government Tenders.
The Ministry of Works
• Use of E-Commerce for payment to suppliers of materials used in construction and development programmes.
The Central Bank
• On-line receipt of payment of access fees and other charges. The Water and Sewerage Authority
• On-line receipt of payments of water rates.
It is expected that once experience is gained within Government ministries and departments, and appreciation of the potential use of E-Commerce and the Internet becomes more widespread, that there will be a dramatic expansion of the identification of opportunities for services to be delivered via the Internet.
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APPENDIX 3
Trinidad and Tobago National E-Commerce Policy Committee
Interim Report – 25th November 1999 Introduction The National Electronic Commerce Policy Committee was established by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Consumer Affairs in October 1999, and charged with the responsibility of developing a policy which would guide the development of Electronic Commerce in Trinidad and Tobago. The Committee’s work plan is modeled along the lines of the FTAA’s Electronic Commerce Expert Working Group, and its deliberations to date have thus focused on the following four areas -
(i) Strengthening the Infrastructure (ii) Increasing Participation in E-Commerce (iii) Clarifying Marketplace Rules (iv) Building Marketplace Confidence for E-Commerce Users
A fifth area “Programmes to Jumpstart Trinidad and Tobago’s E-Commerce Agenda” will be a part of the final report. This document is an interim report in the form of a government policy statement outlining fundamental principles which would guide the development of Electronic Commerce in Trinidad and Tobago.
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The interim report articulates guidelines which would guide the National Electronic Commerce Policy Committee in its final policy recommendations. It covers four areas, the first of which focuses on the need to develop a world class telecommunications infrastructure. Here the overriding issues are identified as the need for expeditious liberalization of the telecommunications industry and also the need to ensure that usage of the new technology and infrastructure is not restricted to a chosen few. Thus the achievement of universal access is paramount. The second area addresses the issue of how effective participation in E-Commerce can be achieved and increased. Here the main concerns are the role of E-Commerce in economic development, the promotion of business opportunities (especially small business), the very critical role of government in this process and the need for human resource development. One of the major barriers to the growth of global E-Commerce is the absence of clarity in the rules governing E-Commerce transactions. This issue is targeted by the third set of guidelines with regard to Intellectual property Rights, Administration and Enforcement of Taxation Laws, the resolution of Jurisdictional conflicts and Electronic Payment Systems. Finally, the current low level of confidence demonstrated by users of E-Commerce is addressed. Here there are concerns of individual privacy, consumer rights and obligations, authentication, use and validity of electronic documents and digital signatures, and law enforcement.
Summary
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1. Development and promotion of a World Class Telecommunications and Computing Infrastructure
The Trinidad and Tobago Government is committed to the establishment of a state-of-the-art telecommunication and information infrastructure as national policy. The objective of this is not only to enhance local communication, but also to allow us to function as equals in the Global Information Infrastructure. Several constraints to the achievement of this national policy currently exist, a major one being the existence of very limited bandwidth. For example, whereas a small firm in the US may have as much as 41 megabits, the equivalent of only 16 megabits is available on our local network. For the resolution of this and other constraints, and the general promotion of an efficient and robust infrastructure, our actions shall be guided by the following:
(i) Commitment to liberalization of the telecommunications industry and the
promotion of competition, and in particular the guidelines of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Steps already taken in this regard include:
(a) All value-added services, broadcasting and Internet Service Provider’s
are now open to competition. (b) The cellular market is in the process of being opened up to competition. (c) Our 2010 WTO commitment for basic telecommunication (PSTN) is to be
advanced considerably prior to that date.
(ii) Prevention of the development of ‘information apartheid’ by ensuring that all our citizens have the opportunity not only to access the infrastructure at a reasonable cost but also to be provided with the necessary information appliances at affordable prices. In this context, the standard definition of Universal Access will be reconsidered.
(iii) Recognize the evolving nature of telecommunications standards, and ensure regional and international interoperability by promoting the use of open architectures.
(iv) Recognition of the importance of Internet Management and the Domain Name System in particular, and its potential use for both goodwill and harm. Trinidad and Tobago will consider the relocation of the country code (.tt) registration to a legally constituted local authority and participate actively in international fora with regards to the management of the Internet.
(v) Establishment of a National Information Backbone or data highway enabling better internal and external interaction.
(vi) Subscription to domestic and international policies promoting the free flow of encryption technology.
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(vii) Consideration of technology transfer as a trade negotiation objective in order to deepen and expand the base in telecommunications and information technology.
(viii) Recognition of the need for an appropriate transport infrastructure to support E-Commerce.
2. Increasing Participation in E-Commerce
Government is cognizant of the fact that in the new globalized economic environment, technology is one of the main determinants of successful export market penetration. In this regard, Government acknowledges that technological development and technical change are major driving forces which can contribute to increased efficiency and productivity of the structure of production, opportunities for trade and the enhancement of international competitiveness. `Government also sees Information Technology and Telecommunications as important economic and social development tools and as part of an overall strategy for participation by all citizens in nation building and for increasing the productivity of the country to better compete as part of the global economy.
Government also recognizes the significant role of the small and micro business sector in the industrial development of Trinidad and Tobago and the potential of this sector to carve out niches in the market place in which it can operate on a competitive basis. In particular, it is acutely aware of the tremendous opportunities for this sector to increase not only its domestic but also its international competitiveness by the new E-Commerce agenda.
Government moreover recognizes its very important role in promoting acceptance and use by utilizing these new telecommunications and information technologies to increase its administrative efficiency and improve the delivery of services or provide new services altogether, and generally reengineer the public sector.
The government of Trinidad and Tobago is therefore committed to the development of policies to increase the participation in E-Commerce by all sectors of the economy. In developing these policies, it will be guided by the following:
(i) The fact that government and their citizens can benefit significantly from providing services online and using new technologies to meet citizens needs. Governments can reduce costs, be more efficient and productive, provide new and improved services, make available greater amounts of useful information, increase citizen involvement, and ensure their economies participate in the emerging digital economy by utilizing the tools of electronic commerce. Because of their unique role and greater resources, governments can serve as catalysts for the development of electronic commerce within their countries.
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(ii) The need to enhance the participation of small island developing states in electronic commerce, in particular by improving and facilitating inexpensive access to telecommunications services, new markets, and training for human resources, by the users in these countries, and especially by the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Sector.
(iii) Government will develop an accommodating and supportive legislative and policy environment designed to promote awareness of the myriad of options made available by E-Commerce.
(iv) Trinidad and Tobago will provide an enabling environment to train the country's human resources in the use of IT, the Internet and New Media, to develop an IT professional society, and to actively disseminate the benefits of the use of IT and New Media (including E-Commerce).
3. Clarifying Market Place Rules
Marketplace rules refer to those that govern the code of conduct of parties involved in business (including government) transactions. These rules may be encoded in legislation, agreed by contract or accepted on moral grounds. They have developed over time and govern transactions that take place within sovereign jurisdictions and between parties from different sovereign territories. A reasonable degree of clarity exists for transactions that do not rely wholly on electronic transmission for each element of the transaction from offer to consumption. The growth of E-Commerce in Trinidad and Tobago would be slowed considerably unless the marketplace rules in certain key areas are not seen to be at least as clear as the existing rules.
In this area, we will be guided by the following:
(i) Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) – Our policy here would seek to
(a) Reinforce Trinidad and Tobago’s commitment to the rights of the creators of original works as set forth in the International Agenda of the WTO and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The ease with which the unauthorised copying of digital content can take place could act as a barrier to the expansion of electronic commerce involving original works resulting from creative effort.
(b) Limit the Liability of ISPs and other intermediaries, as they may unwittingly host material that infringes intellectual property rights.
(c) Discourage the use of existing trademarks as domain names without the authorization of the owners of the trademarks.
(d) Support the development of appropriate international agreements on the protection of databases.
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(e) Clarify the relationship between IPR and Competition Law. Intellectual Property law provides a right to exclude others from using the property as defined thereby allowing the possible creation of a monopoly. Competition law should first and foremost seek to prevent the abuse of this or any restrictive business practice.
(ii) Administration and Enforcement of Taxation Laws – In examing our taxation with regard to E-Commerce the following principles will apply:
(a) Equity - The tax should not favor electronic commerce over non-electronic
commerce and vice versa.
(b) Simplicity - Administrative costs for the tax authorities and compliance costs for the taxpayers should be minimized.
(c) Certainty - The tax consequences of a transaction are known in advance. That is, the rules should be clear as to what is taxed, when and where the tax is to be paid and accounted for.
(d) Effectiveness - The system should be robust enough to prevent tax evasion and avoidance.
(e) Un-intrusive - The system should avoid economic distortions in that corporate and business decisions should be based on commercial issues rather than on tax considerations.
(f) Flexibility - The system should be sufficiently flexible to ensure consistency with technological and commercial developments.
(g) Distribution - The system should ensure a fair sharing of the tax base among countries and jurisdictions since E-Commerce usually involves cross-border activities, where the provider of the Internet service, the seller of the product/service and the buyer may be in different jurisdictions. As such, the effective administration of tax may require cooperation among countries. Consequently, domestic tax regulations should be structured in coordination with developing international Internet tax principles. This is particularly important as regards the equitable division of the Internet tax base between developed and developing countries.
(iii) Jurisdictional Conflicts –
(a) Promotion of and support for regional and international dispute resolution mechanisms rather than court proceedings.
(iv) Electronic Payment Systems (EPS) – Here the following issues will be
considered
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(a) Transparency – EPS should comply with transparency criteria so users can fully assess the cost and risk of using the system. Useful disclosures for consumers could include information about significant user rights, relevant information on the issuer and its obligations towards the consumers, applicability of any deposit insurance or other guarantees and intentions regarding any use of personal data.
(b) Financial Integrity – This should be based on adequate liquidity requirements to meet demands for funds. As well, appropriate capital controls governing investment policies and internal controls with respect to management policies and procedures should be established.
(c) Technical Security – Implementation of measures in order to ensure protection against fraud, counterfeiting, money laundering, tax evasion, and illegal gambling.
(d) Evaluation of Vulnerability – Evaluations should be conducted of the vulnerabilities of particular products to the risks of criminal usage and attacks.
(e) Auditability – EPS must be auditable in order to ensure that the source, route and destination of each payment can be identified especially for large transactions. This may be required in order to identify, investigate and prosecute individuals engaging in criminal activities like money laundering as is possible with non-electronic payment systems.
(f) The Supervision of Payment Systems – Central Banks as the overseers of payment systems may need to take an active role in the development of e-money products since deposit taking institutions within the financial system are likely to be involved in the issuance of E-money. As with other payment or banking products the risks associated with e-money will have to be properly managed. In this respect the determination of the acceptable level of risk is a key issue. Further, systemic risk concerns must be addressed with respect to the likelihood that the failure of one scheme could threaten the viability of the others and EPS on the whole.
(g) The Operation of Monetary Policy – The implications for monetary policy become of particular concern where an extensive substitution of E-money for banknotes impacts on the monetary aggregates (particularly narrower definitions) and the ability of the Central Bank to implement effective monetary policy through traditional means of reserve requirements. Under this scenario, Central Banks will have to determine whether it is useful to extend the coverage of the reserve requirement to E-money or opt to issue e-money themselves. The implications of these two options are extensive and must be investigated further.
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(h) The Financial Risk Borne by Issuers of E-money – The determination of who can issue e-money. The selection f the range of E-money issuers will have to be based on the level of regulatory oversight that the Central Bank will wish to maintain as well as ability of the national authorities to update existing legislation and introduce new laws to govern the issuance of E-money.
4. Building Marketplace Confidence for E-Commerce Users
The Government of Trinidad and Tobago recognizes that a major impediment to the proliferation of global E-Commerce is the low level of confidence in the medium by users. Our efforts to build marketplace confidence will therefore be guided by the following:
(i) The guarantee of Individual privacy. It should be recognized that
(a) Individual privacy is a constitutional right of every citizen and safeguards
must be put in place to protect these rights.
(b) In an E-Commerce environment the free flow of information should not be restricted except it is done to preserve the sanctity of those rights while at the same time, leaving room for choice.
(c) The State must play a key role in increasing awareness of the risks involved in trading in this new environment, in order to facilitate informed choice.
(d) An appropriate balance must be established between the interest of the private sector in not hindering the growth of E-Commerce and that of the individual in securing his/her right to privacy.
(i) Consumers’ rights and obligations
(a) In setting standards for consumer protection, the rights of the consumer should not be diminished as a result of the use of Internet technology.
(b) The protection of consumers’ rights is essential to the building of trust in the commerce environment.
(c) The right to information is a key element of consumer protection.
(d) The consumer should be informed of the type of information which is required, whether it will be stored and if distributed, to whom.
(e) A consumer whose personal information is to be stored and distributed should have the right to give prior consent.
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(f) A consumer should be informed of the means of redress in case his information is misused and in case of any breach of the contract.
(g) The State should educate the consumer with respect to his privacy rights as it relates to E-Commerce.
(ii) Authentication, Use and validity of electronic documents and digital
signatures.
(a) The law must accord equal status to electronic documents and digital signatures as is given to paper documents and hand written signatures in the physical world.
(b) There must be continued freedom of contract. The law should not force parties to only use electronic contracts – the right to use paper contracts should continue to be an option.
(c) Consideration should be given to the establishment of minimum technology neutral standards to govern the use of digital signatures’ technology.
(d) The role of Certifying Authorities, whether privately or publicly controlled in the infrastructure should be recognized.
(iii) Law Enforcement
(a) In the settlement of jurisdictional conflicts and the problem of cross-border enforcement an International Redress Mechanism is to be preferred to Court litigation.
(b) Law enforcement may be enhanced by the establishment of a Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT), entering more mutual legal assistance agreements, and ensuring that the related offences are extraditable offences and the relevant extradition agreements are entered into.
(c) Training and development of Law Enforcement Personnel and Legal and Judicial Officers in the new technology.
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Appendix 4
Proposal for the Establishment of a National E-Commerce Coordinating Unit. 1. Overview. Based on a recommendation in the National Electronic Commerce Policy Committee interim’s report of December 1999, and recognizing the important role that E-Commerce has to play in the economic development of Trinidad and Tobago, Cabinet agreed to the formation of an Electronic Commerce unit based in the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Consumer Affairs. The unit will be based on the model successfully employed in the coordination of the country’s National Year 2000 preparedness and will consist of a National E-Commerce Coordinator supported by a National E-Commerce Secretariat with the necessary professional and administrative staff. Similar to the National Year 2000 Coordinator, the National E-Commerce Coordinator will assume a ministry spanning role, working closely with all ministries and the private sector to encourage and promote the use of E-Commerce technologies. The unit should have a life of five years in the first instance after which it should be subject to review. 2. Objectives and Terms of Reference. The unit, comprising the National E-Commerce Coordinator and the National E-Commerce Secretariat, will serve as the key instrument of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago through the Minister of Trade, Industry and Consumer Affairs to ensure the development and implementation of the National E-Commerce Policy and Strategy. The unit will be charged with the following responsibilities, inter alia: 1. Ensuring that a comprehensive policy framework for facilitating economic
development and the movement to E-Business, E-Commerce and E-Government continues to be developed.
2. Ensuring the development of a consensus-based action plan based on the policy
framework. 3. Coordinating the activities arising from the execution of the Action Plan, interfacing
with stakeholders in both the private and public sectors. 4. Coordinating and Developing public awareness programs to inform the public, public
and private sectors on the importance and benefits of using computer technology in general and E-Commerce in particular.
5. Providing a central point of contact and coordination with respect to queries and
requests for information or advice on how to implement E-Commerce solutions.
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6. Identifying and facilitating actions towards addressing issues or concerns which
create inhibitors towards increased utilization of computers, the Internet, and E-Commerce in both the Public and Private Sectors, including issues regarding the technology, security, legislative and regulatory frameworks necessary for wider E-Commerce use.
7. Conducting such field research as necessary to identify patterns and trends in the
adoption of computers and the use of the Internet by the public, the business community and the public service, and to make such recommendations based on the findings as may be suggested in order to achieve the Government’s objectives.
8. Engaging in continuous technology scanning in order to ensure that the Government
remains aware of overall international technology changes, and their impact on the local environment, by, among other things, participating in local, regional and international seminars and conferences.
9. Representing Trinidad and Tobago at regional and international E-Commerce related
events. 10. Maintaining a Web presence with information on E-Commerce activities in Trinidad
and Tobago. 11. Engaging in any other E-Commerce related activity as directed by the Minister of
Trade, Industry and Consumer Affairs. 3. Structure and Staffing. The Coordinating Unit will be under the aegis of the Minister of Trade, Industry and Consumer Affairs and comprise the National E-Commerce Coordinator and the supporting secretariat. The Secretariat will provide multi-disciplinary support for the National Coordinator and be made up of a small and efficient staff having independent facilities with particular reference to:-
• Professional/Technical/Administrative/Secretarial Staff • Space (Administrative Office) • Mailing Address and • Information Technology/Facsimile/Telephone Facilities
Recommended staffing for the Secretariat is as follows:-
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• 1 Director • 1 E-Commerce Specialist/Advisor (Technology) • 1 E-Commerce Specialist/Advisor (Business) • 1 E-Commerce Specialist/Advisor (Legal) • 1 Administrative Assistant • 2 Clerical/Secretarial
Organization Chart It is proposed that staff be employed on a contractual basis for a period of two years initially. Given also the dearth of quality IT personnel, especially in the relatively new field of E-Commerce, consideration may have to be given to source personnel externally. 4. Roles and Functions of Principal Officers. National E-Commerce Coordinator. The National E-Commerce Coordinator will report to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Consumer Affairs as Chair of the Ministerial E-Commerce Sub-Committee and have overall responsibility for developing and implementing the National E-Commerce Policy Framework and ensuring that all the responsibilities of the Coordinating Unit as outlined above are carried out in an effective and efficient manner. Specifically the Coordinator will be required to, inter alia,:
Director
E-Commerce Specialist(Technology)
National E-Commerce Coordinator
E-Commerce Specialist(Business) E-Commerce Specialist
(Legal)
Administrative Support
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1. Ensure that a comprehensive policy framework for facilitating economic development and the movement to E-Business, E-Commerce and E-Government continues to be developed.
2. Ensure the development of a consensus-based action plan based on the policy
framework.
3. Coordinate the activities arising from the execution of the Action Plan and interfacing with stakeholders in both the private and public sectors.
4. Monitor the progress of E-Commerce initiatives. 5. Work with public and private sector stakeholders to develop best practice
approaches. 6. Promote and develop general education with respect to E-Commerce in the
public and private sectors.
7. Identify and facilitate the implementation of E-Commerce projects in the public sector.
8. Provide leadership and Guidance to the Public Sector with respect to E-
Commerce.
9. Represent the country at regional and international E-Commerce related events. 10. Undertake any other E-Commerce related activity as directed by the Minister.
In order to facilitate high-level interaction with the rest of the Public Service and the Private Sector, similar to that which obtained for the National Y2K Coordinator, the National E-Commerce Coordinator should be accorded or assigned the status of Permanent Secretary. Director – National E-Commerce Secretariat. The Director will report to the National E-Commerce Coordinator and overall will be required to manage and direct the efforts of the Secretariat in support of the Coordinator in the execution of his mandate. Additionally, the Director will be required to:-
1. Coordinate the activities of the E-Commerce Secretariat. 2. To assist the Coordinator in ensuring the continued development of the National
E-Commerce Policy Framework.
3. To assist the Coordinator in ensuring the development and implementation of the National E-Commerce Action Plan.
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4. Develop and implement mechanisms to monitor progress of E-Commerce initiatives.
5. Develop and implement public awareness and education programmes in the area
of e-commerce for the public and private in particular, the small business sector.
6. Building a repository of E-Commerce related information. 7. Directing such field research as necessary to identify patterns and trends in the
adoption of computers and the use of the Internet by the public, the business community and the public service.
8. Engage in any other activity related to effectively supporting the National
Coordinator as directed by the National Coordinator. E-Commerce Specialists. The E-Commerce Specialists will form the core of the Secretariat and be responsible for providing multi-disciplinary high-level professional and technical support and advice in their respective areas in support of the Secretariat’s responsibilities. E-Commerce Specialist (Technology).
1. Provide technical advice as to best practice implementation of E-Commerce projects.
2. Evaluate and recommend technology options for E-Commerce projects.
3. Work with the Coordinator and the Director to ensure that the National E-
Commerce Policy Framework and Action Plan have a sound technological footing.
4. Generally act as a technology consultant on identified projects.
5. Identify and facilitate actions towards addressing issues or concerns which create
inhibitors towards increased utilization of computers, the Internet, and E-Commerce in both the Public and Private Sectors, including issues regarding the technology.
6. Work with the Ministry and Education and other Educational authorities to
develop E-Commerce technology curricula at primary, secondary and tertiary levels.
7. Keep abreast of all technological developments in the field of E-Commerce, to
ensure the best technology choices are made. 8. Perform any other activity as determined by the Director or National Coordinator.
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E-Commerce Specialist (Business)
1. Work with elements of the public and private sector to identify and develop e-commerce projects.
2. Develop and implement e-commerce business education programmes for the
private sector, in particular the Small, Micro and Medium sized Enterprises.
3. Work with the Ministry and Education and other Educational authorities to develop E-Commerce business curricula at primary, secondary and tertiary levels.
4. Work with the SBDC and the small business community to identify appropriate
cyber projects and develop business cases.
5. Perform any other activity as determined by the Director or National Coordinator. E-Commerce Specialists (Legal)
1. Develop a knowledge repository with regard to the legal aspects of E-Commerce. 2. Provide advice on the legal implications of E-Commerce initiatives. 3. Work with the Coordinator and the Director to ensure that all legal aspects of E-
Commerce has been adequately handled in the National E-Commerce Policy Framework and Action Plan.
4. Work with the Office of the Attorney General in identifying and developing
required E-Commerce based legislation.
5. Keep abreast of developments in the emerging field of E-Commerce law. 6. Perform any other activity relating to the legal aspects of E-Commerce as
determined by the Director or National Coordinator. 5. Operating Budget The operating costs of the unit is estimated at $1m per year, with initial equipment cost of $175,000. Over the expected life of the unit, total costs are thus estimated at $5,175,000. A detailed cost estimate is attached. Note that this estimate does not include a provision for consultancies.
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Proposed Budget for National E-Commerce Coordinating Unit.
(12 month period)
Staff Salaries and
Allowances
Salary Travel Other National Coordinator 1 18000 1250 231000 Director 1 15000 1000 192000 E-Commerce Specialists 3 12000 1000 468000 Administrative Assistant 1 6000 800 81600 Clerical/Secretarial 2 3500 84000 1056600 Office Equipment PCs 6 10000 60000 Notebooks 3 20000 60000 Printers 2 20000 40000 Fax 1 3500 3500 Photocopier 1 12000 12000 175500
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Appendix 5
Community Access Centres Pilot Project Estimated Cost per Centre.
SET UP COSTS Internet Access Appliances
Personal Computers
20 9000 180000
Printers 2 7000 14000 Software 12000 12000 Furniture Tables 22 550 12100
Chairs 22 350 7700 Proxy Server (Hardware) 7000 7000 Installation and Set-Up 9600
232800 Contingency 23280 Total Set up Cost. 256080
RECURRENT MONTHLY COSTS
System/Admin Mgr. 10000 Admin Asst./Help Desk 5500 Supplies 500 Security 2000 Rental of Facility 2000 Internet Access 800 Telephone Access (3 lines) 300
21100 Contingency 2110
23210
Yearly Cost Of Maintaining Facility 278520
1. Cost assumes that the current licensing arrangement with Microsoft is used for software access. 2. No provision is made here for any site conversion. This would depend on the actual site that is selected.
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Appendix 6
SELECTED REFERENCES 1. First Annual Conference on Global Marketplace for SMEs - G7 (April 1997) 2. OECD Ministerial Conference papers- “A Borderless World: Realising the Potential
of Global Electronic Commerce”
a. Conference Conclusions b. OECD Action Plan for Electronic Commerce (October 1998) c. A Global Action Plan for Electronic Commerce prepared by Business with
Recommendations from Governments (October 1998) d. The Economic and Social Impact of Electronic Commerce: Preliminary
Findings and Research Agenda (August 1998) e. SMEs and Electronic Commerce (September 1998)
3. OECD - “Dismantling the Barriers to Global Electronic Commerce” (November 1997)
4. FTAA Joint Government-Private Sector Committee of Experts on Electronic Commerce - Working Papers, Reports, Notes by the Chair
i. Electronic Commerce: The Small Business Experience in Canada
ii. Governments as Model Users
iii. Chair’s Paper - Network Access/Reliability and Electronic Commerce
iv. Chair’s Note - Standards and Electronic Commerce
v. Tables relevant to the Chair’s Briefing Notes on Electronic Commerce and Small Economies
vi. Note from Private Sector Group (US Delegation) - Electronic Commerce
vii. Notes from the Fourth Meeting - Indicators relevant to the determination of Internet “readiness” of FTAA members
viii. Briefing Note by the Chair - Electronic Commerce and Business Facilitation: Implications for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs)
ix. Briefing Note by the Chair - Electronic Commerce and Business Facilitation: Electronic Commerce for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)
x. Chair’s Note - Electronic Commerce & Business Facilitation: Implications for Small Economies
xi. Briefing Notes - Electronic Commerce and Business Facilitation: Business Users
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xii. Briefing Note by the Chair - Electronic Payment Systems
xiii. Briefing Note by the Chair - Taxation and Payment Issues: Practical Aspects of Collecting Tax Revenue
xiv. Briefing Note by the Chair - Taxation and Payment Issues: The Implications of Electronic Commerce for Domestic Taxation
xv. Briefing Note by the Chair - User Issues: Building Market Place Confidence for E-Commerce - Security, Encryption, Authentication and Digital Signatures
xvi. Briefing Note by the Chair - Consumer Protection Issues in Electronic Commerce
xvii. Briefing Note by the Chair - Protection of Privacy in Electronic Commerce
xviii. Position Paper of the Argentine Delegation, Private Sector
5. United Nations Commission on International Trade Law - Report of the Working Group on Electronic Commerce (February 1999)
6. International Chamber of Commerce - ICC Guidelines on Advertising and Marketing on the Internet (http://www.iccwbo.org/Commissions/Marketing/Internet_Guidelines.html)
7. ‘Electronic Trading for Local Authorities, County Councils and Central Government” - joint production of the Swedish Association of Local Authorities, Association of Swedish County Councils, and the Government of Sweden (June 1997)
8. UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce with Guide to Enactment (1996) with Additional Article 5 as adopted in 1998
9. Singapore Electronic Transactions Act 1998
10. Singapore Government Electronic Commerce Web Site (http://www.ec.gov.sg/polic.html)
11. Report of the Ad-Hoc Group of High Level Private Sector Experts on Electronic Commerce
12. Attorney General’s Electronic Commerce Expert Group (ECEG) - (http://www.law.gov.au/advisory/eceg/eceg.html)
13. President William J. Clinton - “Framework for Global Electronic Commerce” (July1997)
14. (US) Advisory Commission on Electronic Commerce - Issues and Policy Options Paper (12-3-1999)
15. U.S. Government Working Group on Electronic Commerce - First Annual Report (November 1998)
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16. European Commission - “Electronic Commerce: EU Policies and SMEs” (September 1998)
17. The Electronic Commerce Advisory Council (State of California) - “Defining Government’s Role in Internet Electronic Commerce” (November 1998)
18. IBM Corporation White Papers - “Living in the Information Society” i. E-Commerce - Summary
ii. Understanding Internet Content Principles
iii. Making Electronic Commerce Work
iv. Understanding the Global Information Infrastructure
v. Protecting Privacy and Securing Data
vi. Taxation of the Internet
vii. A Global Cryptographic Policy Framework
viii. Public Sector: Government Strategic Issues
ix. Rethinking Government
x. Small and Medium Businesses in the Global Networked Economy
xi. Transforming Developing Countries with Network Computing
xii. Assuring Access for All
19. IBM Corporation Institute for Electronic Government - “The Quest for Electronic Government: A Defining Vision” (July 1999)
20. Adam, Nabil et al, ELECTRONIC COMMERCE, Technical, Legal and Business Issues, 1999, Prentice Hall.
21. Negroponte, Nicholas, being digital, 1995
22. Tapscott, Don, The Digital Economy, Promise and Peril in the Age of Networked Intelligence, 1996, McGraw-Hill.
23. International Chamber of Commerce: Second edition of the global Action Plan for Electronic Commerce: 27 Sept 1999.