This future growth, however, can only be attained through thoughtful planning and cooperation between the government and the private sector. The country needs to establish a solid and competitive e-infrastructure by increasing quality bandwidth and the number of e-services providers and ensuring reasonable pricing for their products and services. Another crucial aspect that needs to be addressed is a conclusive national e-commerce policy, preferably one that is in line with the rest of the ASEAN member-countries.
Consumer confidence, convergence, cyber security, digital bridges, e-government, intellectual property rights, taxation and trade are deemed by the GBDe to be the most important elements of a successful and unified e-commerce initiative.
The GBDes mission is to work in cooperation with businesses, governments, non-governmental organizations, private foundations, consumer organizations and multilateral institutions to broaden the involvement of key stakeholders in creating an environment where e-commerce can reach its full economic potential.
The GBDe also had discussions with the eASEAN Task Force, an ASEAN advisory body composed of representatives from both the public and private sectors. These discussions were moderated by Roberto Romulo, a member of the GBDes Business Steering Committee and chairman of the eASEAN Task Force.
In 2000, the GBDe signed a cooperation agreement with the eASEAN Task Force, providing policy expertise to assist the ASEAN in its efforts to facilitate ICT and e-commerce development in the region.
Romulo said there was a strong agreement between the GBDe and the eASEAN Task Force on the fundamental requirements for a thriving e-commerce environment.
"A key point raised during the meeting is that e-commerce is continuing to play an increasing role in driving economic growth despite losing some of its high-profile glamour following the bursting of the dot-com bubble two years ago," he said.
This makes it even more crucial for ASEAN member-countries to push harder toward a cooperative regional e-initiative. Many of the ASEAN member-countries face similar difficulties and stumbling blocks that have deterred the much-needed progress in e-commerce, e-government and improved infrastructure and services.
Problems such as poor infrastructure and connectivity, high bandwidth cost and a general lack of quality competition among providers stifle growth and keep developing countries from reaching their full potential.
Furthermore, lack of government and private resolve to address these problems may prolong the time needed to build a desirable and competitive climate that is globally attractive and necessary for economic growth.
This initiative seeks to advocate best practices to encourage broadband technologies in areas where there is low penetration and in countries where the pace of deployment is slow.
The GBDe believes that addressing the demand-side is key to boosting broadband, and this is where decisive government action is required. Accelerated broadband access adoption, spurred by an aggressive campaign to build consumer demand, will lead to the advent of a mass market of new services and applications potentially capable of invigorating the whole Asian region.
Singapores success in e-government and e-commerce infrastructure deployment can be studied so that similar strategies can be adopted by developing countries.
These efforts are necessary in building a renewed belief in the strength of the Internet economy and e-commerce, and in preparing the ASEAN for the potential business opportunities expected from the resurgence of a more confident and solid e-business environment in the near future.
Global Business Dialogue on Electronic Commerce (GBDe): http://www.gbde.org
eASEAN Task Force: http://www.e-aseantf.org
eASEAN Roadshow: http://www.easeanrs.org/