E-commerce Strategies

The UNCTAD ICT Policy Review Programme conducts national assessments, develops strategies and provides policy advice to countries requesting assistance in building and maintaining a dynamic and responsive ICT policy environment.

In this context, it undertakes reviews, research, analysis, strategy development and technical cooperation in the following areas:

  1. National ICT Planning

    The reviews assess the implementation of ICT master plans, strategies, policies and programmes geared towards the development of the information economy. They provide action-oriented recommendations for policy improvements.
     

  2. Electronic commerce

    The e-commerce landscape is complex, dynamic, multi-faceted and rapidly evolving. Developing countries therefore need to conduct a thorough examination of e-commerce dynamics in their country, to identify their most effective leverage points into the e-commerce system and to formulate these into a national e-commerce strategy able to harness e-commerce's propulsion to drive economic growth.

How to work with us

The UNCTAD ICT Policy Review Programme can assist in undertaking an assessment of national needs, characteristics, strengths and weaknesses. Identifying the main challenges and barriers furthermore helps to ensure that policy measures adopted will be effective.

UNCTAD may provide assistance in the following areas:
  • Development of a national e-commerce strategy

  • Comprehensive assessment of the current status of e-commerce readiness based on a framework of eight critical policy areas (ICT infrastructure, logistics and trade facilitation, legal, e-payment, e-commerce platforms, awareness raising, skills development and e-procurement)

  • Defining strategies to strengthen micro, small and medium-sized enterprises for e-commerce

  • Identifying measures to strengthen the IT and software industry for e-commerce

  • Sector-specific studies (ie. retail, manufacturing, outsourcing, e-services, tourism) for strengthening e-commerce

  • Designing national e-commerce surveys and data collection

  • Other e-commerce studies on request


For further information or to request an UNCTAD ICT Policy Review, please contact or make a written request to: ecde@unctad.org and clearly indicate "UNCTAD ICT Policy Review" in the subject line.