Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society
Draft National Policy on Electronic Business For Trinidad and Tobago
Draft National Policy on Electronic Business For Trinidad and Tobago
On August 11th, 2008, MPA has a different version of the 
Draft National Policy on Electronic Business for Trinidad and Tobago (PDF ; 25 pages ; 745K). This is the version that must be commented on.
The deadline for comments is Monday October 13th, 2008. The submission is to be made electronically at http://ebusiness.fastforward.tt/business/townhall
The password to edit this page is "ttcswebwiki"
Question 1: Do you agree with the stated aim (Section 1.4) of this proposed policy?
If not please provide 1-3 suggestions on how it can be improved or stated.
Decent enough aims, but what does all this means. Exactly how is this document going to acheiving all the aims in this document. There is a further need to define exactly how these aims are to be acheived. Until such is actually defined not sure if just quoted specific aims is enough at this point but it is a start.
Question 2: Do you agree with the definition/interpretation of the term ‘e-Business’ as outlined in (section 3) of this policy document?
If not please provide 1-3 suggestions on how it can be improved or stated.
Need to consider telephone transactions....its implied but should be made explicit because those vastly outweight internet driven ones (ie those where a contract (offer, acceptance, intention to create legal rela) is concluded) now and for foreseeable future
Sorry don't agree, with both above and what has been written, think the prospective definition of both is lacking the main point of what they actually mean. For example if posting a brochure is not eCommerce and receipt of information is such then this is not what I understand eCommerce to be. Let me quote what it means in wiki which to me is the best structured definition of eCommerce:
"Electronic commerce, commonly known as e-commerce or eCommerce, consists of the buying and selling of products or services over electronic systems such as the Internet and other computer networks. The amount of trade conducted electronically has grown extraordinarily since the spread of the Internet. A wide variety of commerce is conducted in this way, spurring and drawing on innovations in electronic funds transfer, supply chain management, Internet marketing, online transaction processing, electronic data interchange (EDI), inventory management systems, and automated data collection systems. Modern electronic commerce typically uses the World Wide Web at least at some point in the transaction's lifecycle, although it can encompass a wider range of technologies such as e-mail as well."
Just with eCommerce, eBusiness definition needs to be broader defined. Here is wiki quoted of eBusiness definition:
"Electronic Business, commonly referred to as "eBusiness" or "e-Business", may be defined as the utilisation of information and communication technologies (ICT) in support of all the activities of business. Commerce constitutes the exchange of products and services between businesses, groups and individuals and hence can be seen as one of the essential activities of any business. Hence, electronic commerce or eCommerce focuses on the use of ICT to enable the external activities and relationships of the business with individuals, groups and other businesses
While e-business refers to more strategic focus with an emphasis on the functions that occur using electronic capabilities, e-commerce is a subset of an overall e-business strategy.
E-business involves business processes spanning the entire value chain: electronic purchasing and supply chain management, processing orders electronically, handling customer service, and cooperating with business partners. Special technical standards for e-business facilitate the exchange of data between companies. E-business can be conducted using the Web, the Internet, intranets, extranets, or some combination of these."
Question 3: Do you agree that the stated list of benefits of ICTs in Business (Section 4) can result from their effective/competent employment in business?
If not explain why and provide 1-3 suggestions on how the list can be improved or stated.
Do agree with present expectation from the benefits to be gained, again not sure if some of this will get loss on those it suppose to help. How can these benefits actually help develop business in particular SMEs in T&T. Business needs to see how benefits actually help develop their business, how is this document going to change management minds on the gains from ICT development.
Question 4: Do you agree with the focus areas of the policy framework outlined in Section 5?
If not please explain why.
Agree to a point but how is this going to be achieve, especially with so many issues that need developing even before this can be put into place. Infrastructure is being strengthen no argument there, but is it enough what is the plan for further expansion, competition etc. Clarifying market place rules and building user confidence, well should be interesting a lot of work will have to be done just to convince SMEs in particular that this is viable option for them to gain major benefits from ICT impelmentation through eBusiness/eCommerce development. Developing Networks should already in place to enhance business development. Other focus areas are well and good but leadership, communication and increasing participation is the one of interest. Has anyone looked at how this will be best achieved, if through Government pratices then there is a lot for GOvRTT to do to even be in a position to achieve this one.
Question 5: Do you agree that the stated focus areas of the policy framework are those that are currently most pertinent to developing a robust e-Business environment in Trinidad and Tobago?
If not please give 1- 3 suggestions.
no - need to very clear about consumer rights including legal recource for consumers...
Agree with above not only clear about consumer rights, but legal issues must also be very clearly defined and finally the most important issues all the present red tape involved in importation and exportation of good and services must be clearly defined and regimented, if not this is a failure before it has started. GOvRTT have laws that need modifiying to accommodate present day situation in terms of above. Don't think present laws are enough to protection the people of T&T major rewrites and addition are definitely going to be needed to achieve such.
Question 6: Do you agree that GoRTT should pursue policy recommendation 5.1.3, to facilitate the expeditious movement of goods to and/or from overseas markets, or should this be left entirely up to the market?
If not please explain why.
yes - agreed
Yes as mentioned above major laws need updating, processes need updating, government department need updating, information transfers need to better handled and delivered. GOvRTT have its work cut out in order to move towards a knowledge based society.
Question 7: Do you agree with the proposed policy actions/recommendations outlined in Section 5.1?
If not please provide 1-3 suggestions on how it can be improved or stated.
Yes and no. Section 5.1 is good but first issue there is a need for GOvRTT need to hang on to TSTT they must be sold to enable better competition between current and future competitors. Again dependence on monopolistic type environment must become a thing of the past and along full competition without GOvRTT interference, strategy that facilitates the expeditious movement of goods to and/or from overseas market can only be delivery but a wholesale change of how present society work and delivery of its workforce. Even though there has been some improvement in terms of ICT impelmentation, lack of staff development needs to be looked at, better communication between gov't departments is needed, services need to be better delivered to consumers, GOvRTT needs to start letting society take the reigns of developing ICT knowing what can and cannot be allowed, there is a need to finally educate everyone which is happen slowly.
Question 8: Do you think that the actions outlined in Section 5.2 are sufficient to clarifying market place rules and building user confidence in e-Business?
If not please provide 1-3 suggestions on what actions will be necessary.
necessary but NOT sufficient!
1. self reg is impotent...confidence must be driven by a robust legal framework including recource for consumers
2. legislation still needs updating - e-commerce is useless without the ability to settle financial obligations remotely. we still need to update legislation that recognises that contracts can be established remotely
3. protection of consumer data??? UK data protection is a good starting point
NO GOvRTT needs to move itself away from the problems of hindering country development by stopping it reliance on owning agencies that are poorly runned, and provide poor customer service. Lot of work here to do agree with ensuring that laws are strong enough. Develop proper laws for online usage and storage, not should sure about online labour laws, would need to read more of what is expected here as not sure how that effect better development of society. Definitely agree with BBB need to run and provide proper information, in a timely fashion. Trade/Taxes need further developing as mentioned before rewrite of laws are going to be required. A data commissioner not sure how this is going to work, but if it is an truely independent organisation then agree as they can become the local police like TATT which even though doing a good job needs to be more independent, thus given more power in policing. Well Cyber Crime Unit, now this is very interesting, there is a need to do a major overall of current police serivce in terms of collect, gathering and collatering data. Question here has anyone worked out how long will it take for Police Service to convert all present paper trails and ensure that all data has been computerised. This required the most work out of the entire lot, this is a real problem that need solving here.Consumer education is good but how is this going to be tracked to ensure how effective this will be. Agreed with data protection laws but think should be at a regional level thus we are abide by the same laws.
Question 9: Do you agree that pursuing the policy recommendations outlined in Section 5.3 (Developing Networks) is in the best interest of Trinidad and Tobago e-business?
If not please give reasons why and provide 1-3 suggestions on how best Trinidad and Tobago’s interests can be met.
Yes it is a start a lot of work required to be done
Question 10: Do you agree that GoRTT should pursue the policy recommendations outlined in Section 5.4?
If not please explain why and provide 1-3 suggestions on how best ICT Clustering and Infrastructure sharing can best be facilitated.
For now agreee will like to see how this will be implemented before making any comments
Question 11: Do you agree that GoRTT should pursue the policy recommendations outlined in Section 5.5?
If not please provide 1-3 suggestions on how it can be improved or stated.
Most of this should already be in place or should have started implmentation already why wait until we have to write a draft document these are the issues that should be look at and implemented as this document is being developed.
Question 12: Do you agree with the roles of the e-Business Roundtable as outlined in 5.6.1, 5.6.2 and 5.6.3?
If not please provide 1-3 suggestions on what the roles should be or how they can be improved or stated.
Yes agreed, lots of work to be done to achieve this
Question 10: Do you agree with the proposed role of the e-Business Unit and the policy recommendations outlined in section 5.6?
If not please provide 1-3 suggestions on what the roles should be or how it can be improved or stated.
Yes agreed again need further definition in terms of how is this to be achieved
Question 11: Do you agree with the focus areas of the policy framework? Is the scope of the policy a) to broad b) to narrow c) about right?
If a) or b) please explain why, and provide suggestions on how the scope could be made more appropriate.
Definely B as there is a lot of further definition required in order for document to ensure that everything is more or less covered. If a fully completed framework can be developed and implemented there is a chance for to see the true benefits from eBusiness/eCommerce development. Lot of scope to work with and develop further. Need to ensure that GovRTT actually stick to finally document and not do a short change in terms of developing into an knowledge-based society.
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