Edward M. Erasmus, MA University of Aruba, August 27th, 2013

Developing a

National e-Commerce Strategy Catalyzing economic transformations for consumers,

commerce and governance

• e-Revolution • e-Reality (how are we doing?) • e-Commerce Strategy • e-Opportunities (where’s the beef?) • e-Takeaways

Commercialization of the Internet (1990s)

• Revolutionizing every aspect of our daily lives….

Impact on commerce

Impact on culture

Impact on culture

Impact on culture 40% of kids polled said they’d rather give up their summer vacation than their mobile devices for a month?

Source: ABC News (June 2013)

Impact on culture The amount of time Americans spend consuming digital media is set to eclipse the amount of time spent watching television for the first time this year. Source: eMarketer (August 2013)

Impact on culture

In one minute…

• 650 Terabytes of data move across global IP networks.

• Smartphone and social networking application usage comprise much of that data tidal wave.

• 204 million emails are sent. • 1.3 million videos are viewed on YouTube • 277,000 people login to Facebook. • 100,000 Tweets are sent. • $83,000 in sales are racked up at Amazon.

source:

Part of every aspect of our livers

Disrupting markets and business models

Digital Revolution…

Aruba: e-Reality (state of e-Commerce)

Aruba: State of e-Commerce

• E-steering Committee (final report, August 2000). • Objective: to make recommendations to the

government to promote e-commerce on Aruba. • Recommendations: legal and fiscal issues,

technical and infrastructure issues, banking and security issues, logistical issues, organization, training and educational issues.

• Quick decision-making and implementation was crucial.

Aruba: State of e-Commerce

• Unfortunately not much has happened since the publication of the e-Steering Committee Report.

• So much has changed globally. • Priority: update report to help boost online

commercial opportunities for local businesses.

But it’s not all bad…

The perfect storm…

World without borders….

Digital technology…

• Interact on a global scale • Gather information • Collaborate, develop and

create

We can achieve way more…

-Strategy

Repositioning Aruba…

• Tap into global business opportunities for internet-related transactions.

• Improve online growth possibilities for local businesses.

To become a ‘leading’ e-commerce center in the Caribbean region through the exploitation of our information technology capacity and the creativity of our people

Vision

• Exploiting the strengths and the opportunities of the ICT sector.

• Enhancing business performance and international trade.

• Introducing e-government for the benefit of the whole community.

Hurdles to overcome

• Online payment system • E-Commerce regulations • Intellectual property

Online payment system

Online payment system

• E-commerce transactions are only possible if supported by an affordable and reliable payment system.

E-commerce regulations

• Adopting policies, laws and incentives that focus on promoting trust and confidence among e-commerce participants.

• Developing a national framework that is compatible with international norms on e-commerce.

E-commerce regulations

• Electronic signature • Legal recognition of e-commerce

transactions • Consumer protection from fraud • Protection of consumers’ right to privacy

Intellectual property regulations • Protecting the rights of those who create

original works. • Encourage new technologies, artistic

expressions and inventions while promoting economic growth.

• Increase trustworthiness.

Intellectual property regulations

e-Opportunities

WHAT IF I TOLD YOU

WE ARE MISSING OUT ON SO MANY eCOMMERCE OPPORTUNITIES

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=N7rM2AmAGlLpsM&tbnid=YT8i1p92MArtlM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://www.emarketservices.com/start/News/International/news/Ecuador-prioritizes-eGovernment-eCommerce-projects.html?xz=0&=sd=1&ci=3136&ei=Jf8bUoHYMIzC9gTehoDQAQ&psig=AFQjCNGVHA4jk4t-qFezcVAsVCEjnu4Tlg&ust=1377650656789013

E-Government

• e-Procurement • Customs clearance • Tax administration • Request for documents • Etc., etc.

Enhancing tourism-related services

• Tourism receipts Afl. 2.5 billion (1/3 is paid in advance)

• Reservations: hotels/apartments, car rentals, tour services, etc.

Green gateway

Positioning Aruba as a strategic (e-)hub for European businesses doing business in Latin America

Green gateway

• Intermediation services • Logistics and freight • Financial services • Knowledge centers

• Exclusive made in Aruba merchandise • Digital market place • Going global

Boosting our SME sector

Crowdfunding

E-Charity

e-Takeaways

Takeaways…

• Time to ‘carpe diem’ • So much we can already do! • e-Commerce regulations: we can do way

more • e-Opportunities within different sectors • Be creative/innovative • Think global!

Edward M. Erasmus, MA e.erasmus@fzanv.com edward.erasmus@ua.aw

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