twentytwenty

1721TO

e-CommerceStrategyNATIONAL

SEPTEMBER 2017

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TableofContents

1.0 INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................... 2

2.0 OBJECTIVE ..................................................................................................................... 3

3.0 GOALS............................................................................................................................. 3

4.0 EXPECTEDOUTCOMES............................................................................................... 3

5.0 RATIONALE ................................................................................................................... 4

6.0CURRENTSITUATION ..................................................................................................... 7

6.1Localenvironment .......................................................................................................... 7

6.2Regionalenvironment................................................................................................... 10

6.3Multilateralenvironment ..............................................................................................11

6.4Cross-CuttingIssues ..................................................................................................... 12

7.0 SWOTANALYSIS.......................................................................................................... 15

8.0 WAYFORWARD........................................................................................................... 17

9.0IMPLEMENTATIONPLAN ............................................................................................. 20

10.0CONCLUSION................................................................................................................. 21

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

E-commerce, if properly developed and harnessed, can be a key driver for economic

growthinTrinidadandTobago,itnotonlyenhancesthecompetitivenessandefficiency

of firms, but also gives rise to new economic opportunities. E-commerce continues to

grow at exceptional rates across the globe, causing radical change in consumer and

businessmarkets.Notonlyarepeopleandfirmspurchasingmoreonline,theyaredoing

somorefrequentlyandalsospendingmore.

Thise-CommerceStrategyoutlinestheGovernment’sframeworkforthedevelopmentof

e-commerce inTrinidadandTobagoover thenext threeyears.Government’s role is to

ensure thatbusinessesandconsumershave thenecessary toolsand resources toderive

tangiblebenefits frome-commerce,aswellas the legalandregulatory frameworks that

foster business and consumer confidence in the establishment of a larger digital

economy.

This Strategy uses the definition for e-commerce adopted by the Organization for

EconomicCo-operation andDevelopment (OECD) and theUnitedNationsConference

onTradeandDevelopment’sInformationEconomyReport(2015):1

“The sale or purchase of goods or services, conducted over computer

networksbymethodsspecificallydesigned for thepurposeof receivingor

placingoforders.Thegoodsorservicesareorderedbythosemethods,but

thepaymentandtheultimatedeliveryofthegoodsorservicesdonothave

to be conducted online. An e-commerce transaction can be between

enterprises, households, individuals, governments, and other public or

private organizations. To be included are orders made over the web,

extranet or electronic interchange. The type is defined by themethod of

1UnitedNationsConferenceonTradeandDevelopment,2015,“InformationEconomyReport2015–UnlockingthePotentialofe-CommerceforDevelopingCountries”,p.2.

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placing the order. To be excluded are orders made by telephone calls,

facsimileormanuallytypede-mail.”

2.0 OBJECTIVE

The principal objective of this Strategy is to create an enabling environment that

facilitates and promotes e-commerce for local businesses to serve domestic and

internationalconsumermarkets.

3.0 GOALS

ThemaingoalsoftheNationale-CommerceStrategyare:

1) Acomprehensiveandeffectiveregulatoryenvironmentfore-commerce.

2) TheimplementationofanElectronicFundsTransfer(EFT)Framework.

3) Increasedprivatesectorparticipationine-commerce.

4) Increasedconsumerawarenessandconfidenceine-commerce.

5) Enhanced information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure for

commercialactivitythroughoutthecountry.

4.0 EXPECTEDOUTCOMES

• Thefullproclamationoftherelevantlegislationrequiredfortheproliferationofe-

commerceactivity.

• AfullyfunctionalandoperationalizedEFTFramework.

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

chains.

• Increaseduseofe-commercebydomesticbusinessesasachannelforsellinggoods

andservicestoconsumerslocally,regionallyandinternationally.

• Informedandconfidentonlineconsumers.

• EnhancedICTinfrastructureavailableforprivatehomesandbusinesses.

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5.0 RATIONALE

Withcommoditypricesandproductionsignificantly lower,andchallengesarising from

new energy markets and new energy technologies, the Government of Trinidad and

Tobago needs new means to promote commercial activity and build business and

consumerconfidence.Informationandcommunicationtechnology,andinparticularthe

Internet, has changed the way the world communicates, does business and influences

consumer choices. It opens new opportunities to develop new products and services,

exploitsnewmarkets,createsnewnetworks,reducesthecostofdoingbusiness,andisa

criticaltoolthroughwhichtheGovernmentcanrevitalizetheeconomy.

TypesofRelationships

While there aremany electronic relationships, themain focus of this Strategy will be

Government to Business (G2B), Business to Government (B2G), Government to

Consumer(G2C),ConsumertoGovernment(C2G),Business-to-Business(B2B),Business

toConsumer(B2C),ConsumertoBusiness(C2B)andConsumertoConsumer(C2C).

Government to Business (G2B) refers to the Government providing services or

informationtobusinessesviatheinternet,suchaswebsitesthatsupportauctions,tenders

andapplicationsubmission functionalities.Business toGovernment (B2G) isdefinedas

commercebetweenbusinessesandtheGovernment,andreferstotheuseoftheinternet

for public procurement, paying businesses taxes, filing reports and other Government

related operations and services. Government to Consumer (G2C) is where the

Governmentprovidesservicestoconsumers(citizens)throughtheinternet.Consumerto

Government (C2G) involves a consumer interactingwith theGovernment, for example,

payingtaxesonline.

Business to business (B2B) involves transactions between businesses, such as a

manufacturerandawholesaler,orbetweenawholesalerandaretailer.Empiricalstudies

suggest that B2B offers greater potential benefits for MSMEs than other forms of e-

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commerce. Business-to-consumer (B2C) involves sales by e-commerce enterprises and

traditional brick-and-mortar firms to consumers that have online sales channels.

ConsumertoBusiness(C2B)iswhereconsumerscreateproductsandserviceswhichare

consumedbybusinessesandorganizations.ConsumertoConsumer(C2C) iscommerce

betweenprivateindividualsorconsumers.

E-Commerce,growthandtrade

E-commerce is big business and continues to grow at unprecedented rates when

comparedtothetraditionalretailsector.Itoffersbenefitstodomesticbusinessesinthe

formofautomatedandinstantaneousoperations,enhancedparticipationininternational

valuechains,increasedmarketaccessandreach,improvedinternalandmarketefficiency,

lowbarrierstoentryandlowertransactioncosts.Italsooffersbenefitstoconsumersin

the form of reduced prices due to competition, 24 hour access to a virtual storefront,

convenience,aglobalmarketplace,increasedchoiceandsavingtime.

Theinternethasbecomeacriticalpillarofnationaleconomictransformation,especially

intermsofproductivity.AMcKinsey(2011)studyshowsthattheInternetaccountsfor3.4

percentofGDPinthelargesteconomiesthatmakeup70percentoftheworld’sGDP—

largerthanthecontributionoftheenergyoragriculturesectorsintheglobaleconomy.2

Manyikaetal.(2013)findthatin2004-2009,theInternetcontributed10percentormore

tototalGDPgrowthinBrazil,ChinaandIndia.3AWorldBankstudyacross86countries

fortheperiod1980-2011,showsthata10percentincreaseinfixedbroadbandpenetration

resultsina1.2percentincreaseinGDPpercapitagrowthrates.Deloitte(2012)showsthat

doublingmobile broadbanddatause leads to a 0.5 percent increase inGDPper capita

growthrates.4

2Manyika,JamesandCharlesRoxburgh.2011.“Thegreattransformer:TheimpactoftheInternetoneconomicgrowthandprosperity,”McKinseyGlobalInstitute(October2011).Availableat:http://www.mckinsey.com/industries/high-tech/our-insights/the-greattransformer.3Manyika,J.,MChui,J.Bughin,R.Dobbs,P.Bisson,andA.Marrs.2013.“DisruptiveTechnologies:AdvancesthatWillTransformLife,Business,andtheGlobalEconomy,”McKinseyGlobalInstitute.Availableat:http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/business_technology/disruptive_technologies.4Deloitte.2012.“WhatIstheImpactofMobileTelephonyonEconomicGrowth?”AReportfortheGSM.

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GrowthestimatesfromtheeMarketer,amarketresearchcompany,reportsthatbusiness-

to-consumer (B2C)e-commercesalesworldwide reached$1.5 trillion in2014, increasing

by nearly 20 percent from 2013.5 In 2014, e-commerce accounted for 5.9 percent or

US$1.316trillionofthetotalretailmarketworldwideanditisestimatedthatby2018,that

sharewillincreasesignificantlyto8.8percent.6In2015,worldwidewebsalesincreasedby

approximately 21.0 percent to US$1.592 trillion. eMarketer also projects that global e-

commerce will increase by 18.6 percent in 2016 to US$1.888 trillion, with web sales

accountingfor7.4percentof totalretail. In2017, itwill increaseto$2.197trillion,with

web sales accounting for 8.2 percent of total retail and in 2018 it will increase by 13.3

percenttoUS$2.489trillion,withwebsalesaccountingfor8.8percentoftotalretail.7

Regionalmarketsandproducts

For LatinAmerica and theCaribbean (LAC), the internet has the potential to increase

productivity, to expand opportunities for entrepreneurship, and promote inclusive

economicgrowth.TwocharacteristicsthatgreatlybenefitLACfirmsarevisibility(buyers

andsellersareconnectedregardlessoflocation)andscalability(digitalplatformsenable

new,largervolumesoftradeingoodsandservices).Theinternethaspositivelyinfluenced

all countries;however,developingcountrieshave thegreatestpotential forgrowth.For

example,onestudyestimatedthanin2012,theannualeconomicvaluegeneratedbythe

Internet was US$1,488 per capita in developed countries (that were already highly

connected at the time), but still onlyUS$119 per capita in developing economies (that

wereonlystartingtobecomeconnected.8Deloitte(2014)estimatesthatifLatinAmerica

5Nielsen,2014.“E-Commerce:Evolutionorrevolutioninthefast-movingconsumergoodsworld?6eMarketer,2014.“Retailsalesworldwidewilltop$22trillionthisyear,”Availableat:http://www.emarketer.com/Article/Retail-Sales-Worldwide-Will-Top-22-Trillion-This-Year/1011765.7DigitalCommerce360,2014.“Globale-commercesaleswillincrease22%thisyear,”Availableat:https://www.digitalcommerce360.com/2014/12/23/global-e-commerce-will-increase-22-year/.8Nottebohm,O.,J.Manyika,J.Bughin,M.Chui,andA-R.Syed.2012.OnlineandUpcoming:TheInternet’sImpactonAspiringCountries,January.McKinsey&Company,HighTechPractice.Availableat:http://www.mckinsey.com/client_service/high_tech/latest_thinking/impact_of_the_internet_on_aspiring_countries.

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were to attain the same level of Internet usage as advanced economies, the region’s

productivitywouldsurgeby13percent.9

Inadditiontonewmarketsandincreasedreachbydomesticfirms,newtechnologiessuch

as 3-D printing, machine learning, radio frequency identification (RFID) systems,

robotics,andtheInternetofThingsapplications,arecreatingnewopportunitiesforLAC

entrepreneursandfirmstocreatenewbusinessmodelsandexportservices.TheInternet

boostsproductivity ineconomies inpartbecause itboosts international trade.Someof

thetradegainsinclude:

• expansioninexportsandthenumberoflong-termexporters

• wideravailabilityofqualityproductsandinputsatlowercost

• improvementsfortradingacrossborders

• increasednumberofregionalsmallbusinessesandstartups

Despite the significant and varied advantages, there are somedisadvantages. Increased

exposuretorisksassociatedwithprivacy,securityandproductqualityforconsumers,and

additional infrastructural andmaintenance costs and exposure to fraud for businesses,

areseveralareasthatpolicy-makersmustaddressife-commerceistobewidelyaccepted

andutilized.

6.0CURRENTSITUATION

6.1Localenvironment

Despite Trinidad and Tobago’s economic success, e-commerce has not taken off as it

shouldhave.Somereasonsforthisinclude:

• Uncoordinatedandunsustainedeffortsbythepublicsectorentitiesresponsiblefor

promotinge-commerce.

9Deloitte.2014.“ValueofConnectivity:EconomicandSocialBenefitsofExpandingInternetAccess,”(February)Availableat:https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/ie/Documents/TechnologyMediaCommunications/2014_uk_tmt_value_of_connectivity_deloitte_ireland.pdf.

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• Lack of implementation of the legal framework to encourage and protect

businessesandconsumersusinge-commerce.

• Lack of awareness of the benefits to businesses and consumers regarding e-

commerce.

TheGovernmentofTrinidadandTobagohaspursuedthee-commerceagendaoverthe

years,producingvariousreports,plansandrecommendations.Theyare:

• TheNationale-CommerceSecretariat(NeCS)Committeereport(2003)

• fastforward(2003-2008)

• PolicyFrameworkfore-BusinessinTrinidadandTobago(2008)

• smarTT(2014-2018)

• fastforwardII(Draft2017)

fastforward marked the real inception of national information and communication

technology (ICT) planning in Trinidad andTobago. The 2003-2008 plan supported the

then National Development Strategy, Vision 2020, and focused on the foundational

elementofthecountry’sICTAgenda,‘connectivity’.

SubsequentlytherewassmarTT,anewNationalICTPlanwhichwasdevelopedin2014.

Thisplancomprisedthreephases,eachwithitsassociatedobjectives.

• Phase I:2014 to2018, focusedonGovernment’s thrust to increase ICTutilization

anduptakewithinthepublicandprivatesectorandamongcitizens.

• Phase II: 2018 to 2022, emphasized the development of specific industries to

enhance Trinidad and Tobago’s value proposition in regional and international

markets.

• Phase III: 2023 and beyond, envisioned ICT and related sectors as significant

contributorstoGDP.

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fastforward II, the new National ICT Plan 2017-2021, seeks to ensure alignment of the

National ICT Vision with the National Development Strategy 2016-2030, Vision 2030.

fastforwardIIiscomprisedofthefollowingfivestrategicthrusts:

i) ImprovingConnectivity

ii) IncreasingHumanCapacity

iii) EnhancingPublicServiceDelivery

iv) FosteringEconomicDevelopment

v) AdvancingEnvironmentalandSocietalBenefit

ThePlanisintendedtobeamodern,relevantandrobustonethatwillcontributetothe

advancementoftheICTSectorandhelpmeettheGovernment’sdevelopmentobjectives.

fastforward II notes that Trinidad and Tobago lacks the robust legal and regulatory

framework required for e-business, e-commerce and e-services. The full suite of

legislation governing electronic transactions and data protection—including the

Electronic Transactions Act and the Data Protection Act—have only been partially

proclaimed and key regulations under those laws have not been developed. The Plan

recognizestheneedformodernpoliciesandregulationsthatprovidefortheprotectionof

the interestofbothendusersandinvestors,attract investmentandsupporttheeaseof

doingbusiness,allofwhichareimportantperquisitesforcreatingavibrantICTindustry.

TheplanhighlightstheGovernment’scommitmenttoadvancingthee-legislativeagenda

asakeycomponentoftheenablingenvironmentforICT-thedeliveryandexistenceofa

bodyofpolicies,harmonizedlegislationandregulationsthat,interalia,authorize,enable,

empower and undergird the electronic delivery of products and services. The Plan

indicatesthatoverthenextfiveyears,Governmentwillremainfocusedonensuringthe

fullproclamationofe-legislationandinstitutingtherelevantsupportingregulations. In

addition to the aforementioned legislation, initiatives to meet this objective will also

involvethefollowing:

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• fullProclamationoftheElectronicTransactionsAct

• fullProclamationoftheDataProtectionAct

• enactmentofCybercrimeLegislation

Strategy4ofthePlanspeaksspecificallytoe-commerce.It focusesonbuildingaproe-

enterprise environmentwithinTrinidadandTobago. Important elementsof this thrust

areincreasinge-businessande-commerceadoptionbothwithintheBusiness-to-Business

(B2B) and Business-to-Consumer (B2C) realms and facilitating competitive trade along

withdrivingeffectiveimportandexportmechanisms.Thespecificprogrammeregarding

e-commercefallsundertheMinistryofTradeandIndustryandinvolvesthedevelopment

andimplementationofane-CommerceStrategy.

Inadditiontosignificanteffortstoexpandthecapacityandimprovetheinteroperability

ofTTBizLink(TrinidadandTobago’sSingleElectronicWindow),whichisakeyenabler

of ICT services that helps in trading across borders, the Government also intends to

implement a National Broadband Strategy enhancing the broadband infrastructure,

accesstoICTservices,integrationofICTpoliciesandregulatoryoversight.Thiswillalso

facilitate the integrationof ICT in education,businessdevelopment andevenallow for

greateruseoftechnologyinhomes.

6.2Regionalenvironment

InMarch 2014, theCaribbeanCommunity (CARICOM)Heads ofGovernment (CHOG)

issued a policy directive for the establishment of a Single ICT Space to enhance the

environment for investment and production by building the digital economy over the

period2014-2019.Atthattime,CARICOMHeadsmandatedthatattentionbegiventothe

developmentofaroadmapforaCARICOMSingleICTSpacein2014-2015.

CARICOMHeads of Government approved the RoadMap for the Single ICT Space in

February 2017, and the IntegratedWork Plan was approved in May 2017. The Heads

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agreedthatthepriorityareasoffocusinbuildingthedigitaleconomyduringtheperiod

2014-2019willincludethefollowing:

a) Establishment of aCARICOMSingle ICT Space to enhance the environment for

investmentandproduction;

b) BringingtechnologytothepeopleandtransformingthemintoDigitalNativesand

DigitalEntrepreneurs;

c) CyberSecuritysafeguards;

d) Mobilizationofresources;and

e) DevelopingtheCARICOMDigitalAgenda2025.

TheCARICOMSingleICTSpacewillbecharacterizedby:

1. RegionallyharmonizedICTpolicy,legalandregulatoryregimes;

2. Robustnationalandregionalbroadbandinfrastructure;

3. CommonframeworksforGovernments,ICTserviceprovidersandconsumers;and

4. Effective,securetechnologyandmanagementsystems.

6.3Multilateralenvironment

WTO Moratorium on e-commerce. The WTO Work Programme on electronic

commerce covers all issues related to trade arising from global e-commerce, including

enhancing internet connectivity and access to information and telecommunications

technologies and public internet sites, the growth of mobile commerce, electronically

delivered software, cloud computing, the protection of confidential data, privacy and

consumer protection. The programme also explores the economic development

opportunities afforded by e-commerce for developing countries, particularly least-

developed countries. At the Bali Ministerial Conference in December 2013, WTO

membersagreedtoextendthemoratoriumone-commerce.Specifically,membersagreed

to abstain from imposing customs duties on electronic transmissions until the 10th

Ministerial Conference, which was held in Nairobi in December 2015. Ministers have

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extended the e-commerce moratorium until the next session of the Ministerial

ConferenceinDecember2017inArgentina.

E-commerceandinclusivedevelopment.InJuly2016,theUnitedNationsConference

on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) launched the global eTrade for All initiative,

whichhelpsdevelopingcountriestounlockthepotentialofe-commerce.Centraltothis

initiativeistheonlineplatformavailableatetradeforall.org,whichwaslaunchedinApril

2017, and serves as an informationhub thathelpsdeveloping countries tonavigate the

wealth of technical and financial assistance available in seven policy areas to drive

development through e-commerce. Through this platform, countries can connect with

potentialpartners, learnabouttrendsandbestpractices,accessup-to-datee-commerce

data,andbeinformedaboutupcominge-commerceevents.

6.4Cross-CuttingIssues

! ConsumerNeedsandProtection

Consumer trust in digitalmarkets is paramount in achieving inclusive and sustainable

developmentofe-commerce.Trustisafundamentalassetthatcanonlybebuiltwiththe

common engagement from Governments, businesses, consumer organizations and

academia.Keymeasurestoenhanceconsumerconfidenceine-commerceinclude:

• providingalevelofprotectionthatisnolessstringentthanthelevelofprotection

providedforoff-linetransactions

• creatingpoliciesthataccommodatethespecialfeaturesofe-commerce

• providingclearinformationonrightsandobligationsofbusinessandconsumers

• providing consumer and business education and information programmes

coveringe-commerce

• promotinggoodbusinesspracticesintheonlinecontext

• developing fair, effective, transparent and impartial dispute resolution systems,

particularlyonlinedisputeresolution

• ensuringtheprovisionofsafeproductsbyonlinesuppliers

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• promoting internationalcooperation in thedevelopmentofconsumerprotection

policiesandtheirenforcementintheonlinecontext.

AnewConsumer Policy for Trinidad andTobago togetherwith a Legislative Briefwas

developedandsubmittedtoCabinetinJuly2016.ThePolicyproposesthattheexisting

Consumer Protection and Safety Act, Chapter 82:34 be repealed and replaced. It also

proposes the adoptionof theCARICOMModelBill forConsumerProtection 2016.The

proposed new legislation seeks, inter alia, to ensure consumers of goods, services and

digitalcontentreceivesimilarprotectionasconsumersofgoodsbyenshriningequitable

rights.TheElectronicTransactionsAct,when fullyproclaimed,will provide consumers

with a legislative and regulatory framework that provides them with security and

confidence inconductinge-transactionsbyrequiringpersonsusingelectronicmeansto

sell goodsor services toprovide informationabout themselves, accurate andaccessible

informationdescribingthegoodsorservicesoffered,aswellasacopyofthecontractand

relevantcontractualobligations.

! Micro-,Small-andMedium-sizedEnterprises(MSMEs)

Micr0-,small-andmedium-sizedenterprisesfaceuniquechallengesandbarriersinterms

of utilizing and benefiting from e-commerce. In contrast to MSMEs from developed

countries,MSMEsfromdevelopingcountriesarelargelyexcludedfrome-commercedue

to a number of barriers such as fragmented and business hostile regulations, lack of

educationandlimitedaccesstoinformation,incomevolatilityandlackofprotection,lack

ofawareness,discriminationofindividualsmallfirmsfromdevelopingcountries,lackof

trustandsecurity.

Attheregionallevel,theInter-AmericanDevelopmentBank(IDB),withthesupportfrom

Google,DHL,VisaandAlibaba,created ConnectAmericas—the first socialnetwork for

businesses in the Americas, dedicated to promoting foreign trade and international

investment.ItseekstohelpSMEsstrengthentheirbusinesses,byprovidingthemaccess

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to communitiesof clients, suppliers and investors in the regionandallover theworld,

segmentedbyindustry,andalsoprovideusefulandsimpleinformationaboutprocedures

andregulationsforinternationalcommerceandavailablefinancingopportunitiesinIDB

member countries. Based on IDB figures, ConnectAmericas has 130,000 registered

business people from 152 countries, who in the past two years reported approximately

US$250million indeals.Although the largemajorityofbusinesspeople inTrinidadand

Tobago are not aware of ConnectAmercias or its benefits, there are as much as 4,375

uniqueuserssincethelaunchoftheregionalforum,with157havingcreatedprofilesand

67withcompletedcompanyprofiles.

VitaltoMSMEsistheneedforinitiativesto:

• support the creation of a more stable environment for small self-employed

entrepreneurswillingtoengageine-commerce

• support the creation of cooperatives that enable SMEs to share costs and

information

• greater awareness, understanding and communication of the potential of e-

commercebypolicy-makers

• greater use and development of online platforms that help connect the

unconnected

• useofsolutionssuchase-Residencythatgivesentrepreneursadigitalidentityfor

runningabusinessfromabroad

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7.0 SWOTAnalysis

STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES• Governmentisleadingthewaywiththe

SingleElectronicWindow(TTBizLink).• Nobarriersforbusinessestosetupan

onlinestore.− Thereisaplatformtohostthestore.− Threeofthelocalcommercialbanks

provideapaymentgateway.• TrinidadandTobagoisinthetop10

developingeconomiesinUNCTAD’s2015B2Ce-commerceindex(43outof130countries).

• NationalICTplan2017-2021(fastforward

II)exists.• TrinidadandTobagoisranked25outof

139countriesinmobilepenetration.• TrinidadandTobagoisranked16outof

139infixedbroadbandinternettariffs.• Alargenumberofbusinesseshave

alreadysoughtonlinesolutionstoeitherstartorgrowtheirbusinessviasocialmedia.

• Strongbankingsectorandavailabilityof

e-bankingservices.

• Limitedaccesstocapitalfromcommerciallendingfacilitiesasbanksareskepticalaboutthee-commerceindustry.

• Expensivelogisticscoststhroughoutthe

Caribbean.• Inadequateknowledgeofe-commerce

potentialtobusinessandconsumers.• Lackoflegalandregulatoryframeworks.

ThisisevidentintheWorldEconomicForum‘sGlobalInformationTechnologyReport2016(GITR)indicatorwhichrankedTrinidadandTobago116outof139countriesinLawsRelatingtoICT.

• Smallmarketsize.

OPPORTUNITIES THREATS• Theintroductionofalocalpayment

systemthatworksthesamewayasPayPal.

• Ashippingandlogisticscompanyhasa

modulewhichintegratesintothelocal

• TheperceptionthatICTinvestments

willnotyieldthereturnsnecessarytorecoupinitialcostsforsmallbusinesses.

• Inabilityoffirmstodetermine

profitabilityofe-commercetrading.

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OPPORTUNITIES THREATSplatformandallowsfordeliverywithinTrinidadandTobago.

• TTPostofferslocalcourierdelivery

services.• UNCTAD’seTradeforAllinitiative

whichprovidesanewapproachtotradedevelopmentthroughelectronicexchangesbyallowingdevelopingcountriestoeasilyaccesstechnicalassistanceforcapacitybuildingine-commercereadiness.

• TheInter-AmericanDevelopmentBank

(IDB)launchedConnectAmericas,thefirstsocialnetworkforbusinessesintheAmericas,whichaimstohelpsmallandmediumsizedenterprises(SMEs)intheregiontoexpandmarketaccessabroad.

• ImplementationoftheLibraryNet

initiativethroughwhichalllibrarieswereequippedwithcomputersandfreehigh-speedInternetaccess,andalllibrariansweretrainedinICTusage.

• Youngeducatedpopulation.• Highmobilephonepenetration.

• Youthmarketforinternetaccess.

• Availabilityofpaymentcards.

• TTPosthasstartedimplementinga

UniversalPostalCodesystem.

• Rapidpaceatwhichtechnologyis

changing.

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8.0 WAYFORWARD

Consultationswithstakeholders involved ine-commercehave revealed thatdespite the

shortcomingslocally,thedomesticenvironmentisrelativelyconducivetobusinessesand

consumers engaging in e-commerce. These stakeholders included key individuals of

domesticfirmsthatutilizee-commercetosellgoodsandservicesandalsotodevelope-

commercecapabilitiesforotherfirms,academia,membersofthee-BusinessRoundtable,

and the Ministry of Public Administration and Communications. The Government

intendstopursuethefollowinginordertoadvancethestateofe-commerceinTrinidad

andTobago:

! Action1:Enactingandimplementinglegislation

TheMinistryofPublicAdministrationandCommunicationsandtheMinistryofNational

Securityhaveproposedtoimplementthefollowing:

• FullProclamationoftheElectronicTransactionsActandinparticularPartVIII(ConsumerProtection)

• FullProclamationoftheDataProtectionAct

• EnactmentofCybercrimeLegislation(MinistryofNationalSecurity)

TheMTIwillliaisewiththebothMinistriestoensurethatthelegalframeworkisinplace

inatimelymannertoencouragethegrowthofe-commerceactivity.

! Action2:ImplementingtheElectronicTransferofFunds(EFT)Framework

The implementation of the Electronic Transfer of Funds (e-payments) is essential for

promotinggovernmente-services,andwillexemplify theGovernment’sefforts, through

theMinistryofFinance.

! Action3:Promotingprivate-sectorparticipationine-commerce

TheMTI (through its agencies suchas exporTTandEXIMBANK) in collaborationwith

other Ministries will seek to increase awareness about e-commerce and encourage

domesticfirmstoactivelyparticipateonlinebybuyingandsellinggoodsandservices,as

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well as acquiring market information, developing business networks and goods and

servicespromotion.

The MTI will also collaborate with the private sector via the various Chambers of

Commerce and the e-Business Roundtable and acquire pertinent information by

conducting an annual survey on the number of business engaging in e-commerce

activities.

Additionally, the Government will collaborate with the IDB and other similar

organisations to encourage more firms to have a full on-line presence on

ConnectAmericas and other similar platforms. Thiswill be an idealway inwhich local

manufacturers and service providers can easily reach markets and entrepreneurs

worldwide, and from the government’s perspective, an effective means to bring firms

onlinewithminimumoutlay.

! Action4:Engenderingconfidenceamongconsumersine-commerce

The proposed National Consumer Policy, which is being developed by the Consumer

AffairsDivisionoftheMinistryofTradeandIndustry,will,interalia:

• ensure consumers of services and digital content receive similar protection as

consumersofgoodsbyenshriningequitablerights;

• deal with consumer guarantees to include guarantees for goods, services and

digitalcontent;

• improveprotectionforconsumerspurchasinggoodsorservicesfromadistance.

The Consumer Affairs Division will implement educational programmes at the

community and national levels with the assistance of various stakeholders including

educational institutions and NGOs. These initiatives will also be promoted by the

Ministrythrough:

• enactmentofnewConsumerProtectionAct;• anon-lineConsumerAffairsPortal,managedbytheConsumerAffairsDivision;

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• public meetings and lectures to consumers and suppliers about unfair trade

practicesandunfaircontracttermsetc.

• useofsocialmediachannels

• media advertising campaigns on e-commerce issues, telemarketing, and also

consumerriskssuchasscamsandfraud,etc.

• consumertipsviaprintandelectronicmedia.

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9.0IMPLEMENTATIONPLAN

Action Activity ResponsibleParty PeriodAction1:Enactingandimplementinglegislation

• Full Proclamation of theElectronicTransactionsAct

• Full Proclamation of the DataProtectionAct

• Enactment of CybercrimeLegislation

MPAC,MNS Ongoing

Action2:ImplementingtheElectronicTransferofFunds(EFT)Framework

ImplementationoftheElectronicTransferofFunds(EFT)Framework

MOF,TreasuryDivision,MTI

24months

Action3:Promotingprivate-sectorparticipationine-commerce

• Buildingawarenessamongtheprivatesector,especiallyMSMEsanddomesticandinternationaltraders,aboute-commerce.

• Developprogrammesandincentivestopromotedomesticfirmstohaveapresenceandconductbusinessonline.

• Anannualsurveytodeterminethenumberofbusinessesutilizinge-commerce.

• CollaboratewithIDBtoincreasethenumberoflocalfirmsoperatingontheConnectAmericasplatform

MTI,exporTT,EximBank,ChamberofIndustryandCommerce,MinistryofLabourandSmallEnterpriseDevelopment(MLSED)

Ongoing

Action4:Engenderingconsumerconfidenceine-commerce

• EnactmentofnewConsumerProtectionAct

• Anon-lineConsumerAffairsPortal(managedbytheConsumerAffairsDivision)

• Publicmeetingsandlecturestoconsumersandsuppliersaboutunfairtradepracticesandunfaircontracttermsetc.

• Useofsocialmediachannels• Mediaadvertisingcampaignson

ConsumerAffairsDivision,MTI,MPAC

24months

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Action Activity ResponsibleParty Periode-commerceissues,telemarketing,andalsoconsumerriskssuchasscamsandfraud,etc.

• Consumertipsviaprintandelectronicmedia.

10.0CONCLUSION

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago understands the urgent need to expand the

awarenessandutilizationofe-commerce,asameanstoincreasecommercialactivityand

promote entrepreneurship and trade.This is in linewith recommendationsby the IDB

(2017),whichrecommends threesetofpolicymeasures for regionaleconomies inLatin

AmericaandtheCaribbeantoacceleratedigitaltrade:10

" Removemarketaccessandregulatorybarrierstodigitaltrade

" Enhance LAC’s digital fitness (human resource skills and policy environment,

connectivity)

" Adjust export promotion and credit to meet the needs of online sellers (create

public-private partnerships for e-commerce export promotion, and bring new

digitalplayerstoprovidetradefinanceinthedigitalera)

E-business and e-commerce are crucial to the sustained economic development of any

moderneconomy.Notonlymustgovernmentscreateanenabling legislative,regulatory

and policy environment, but encourage and promote online commerce by both the

private sector and consumers alike, at home and abroad. In that regard, public policy

much focus on the creation of a holistic e-commerce ecosystem. Such an ecosystem

wouldincludeallbusinessesandconsumerbehind,andresultinthecountry’simproved

globalcompetitiveness.Increasedusageandutilizationoftheinternetnotonlyprovides

10Suominen,K.2017.“AcceleratingDigitalTradeinLatinAmericaandtheCaribbean”,IntegrationandTradeSector,Inter-AmericanDevelopmentBank.IDBWorkingPaperSeriesNo.IDB-WP-790.

22

anopportunityforthecountrytodiversifytheeconomyandpromoteentrepreneurship;

it encourages cost savings, increased efficiency, and it assistsMSMEs in offering niche

productsandservicestothelocalandglobalmarkets.TheGovernmentofTrinidadand

TobagothroughtheimplementationofthisStrategywillaggressivelyseektocapitalizeon

thegrowthanddevelopmentofe-commercebecauseithasthepotentialtotransformthe

economy.