Joint Facilitation Meeting on WSIS Action Lines C

Joint Facilitation Meeting on WSIS Action Lines C 2, C 4, C 6 19 -21 May 2008, ITU Creating an enabling environment for ICT growth: The contribution of UNCTAD Ms. Cécile Barayre-El Shami Economic Affairs Officer ICT Policy and Analysis Unit Science, Technology and ICT Branch Division on Technology and Logistics

UNCTAD and the information economy

ICT policy framework for the information economy Creating a favourable environment for SMEs: • ICT infrastructure development • Legal and regulatory framework • Human capacity • E-business and economic environment • E-government • ICT-related trade and investment policies • Technological innovation

UNCTAD and ICT for Development

National ICT strategy WSIS target: all countries have a national ICT strategy by 2010 2006: how many developing countries have adopted an ICT strategy or master plan? • 181 developing and transition countries and territories surveyed by UNCTAD

UNCTAD survey on national ICT master plans in developing countries 80 countries have adopted an ICT plan (44%) 36 countries are designing an ICT plan (20%) No information available Source: UNCTAD (2006)

ICT and law reform § UNCTAD builds capacity with legal issues related to ICTs (training course, workshops) § UNCTAD assists countries and regions (Latin America, ASEAN, EAC, UEMOA) in the preparation of hamonized legal frameworks

UNCTAD survey on legislation relating to ICT in developing countries § The adoption of a legal framework has helped expand business opportunities and attract FDI. Examples: -The Republic of Korea: e-commerce transactions in 2005 rose 14. 1% over 2004 -El Salvador: new trade opportunities for products and services over the Internet - Cambodia: conduct of trade in the region facilitated

ICT Policy Review To assess the impact of national ICT policies and to revise them

Assessment of existing ICT master plan ICT environment ICT policy framework Implementation & Institutional framework • Identification of success factors • Best practices • Lessons learnt and challenges ahead Policy recommendations Revised ICT master plan/policies Source: UNCTAD (2006) Transparent and continuous consultation process with all stakeholders UNCTAD ICT policy review model framework

Joint Facilitation Meeting on WSIS Action Lines C 2, C 4, C 6 19 -21 May 2008, ITU Thank you cecile. barayre@unctad. org www. unctad. org/ecommerce measuring-ict. unctad. org