New Zealand's Comments on e-gov and e-biz

Shaun McCarthy <shaunmccarthy@xtra.co.nz>, National Secretary of the NZ Institute of Purchasing and Materials Management Inc.

Indeed the electronic commerce and Internet commerce (B2B and B2C) are the way forward for the future. The New Zealand government is currently considering its direction in e-commerce which will have a profound effect on how NZ does business both in the government & private sectors.

Also of importance are the trade agreements (e.g., GATS, Agreements on trade and, most importantly, Closer Economic Relations (CER) with our neighbour Australia.

The agreements shape how and when we conduct trade, moderate behaviours with our partners as both government and SMEs.

Thus, education is an integral part of the strategy to cope with this major industrial revolution. Development of commercial and industrial laws to provide foe E commerce development must follow closely.

A country with the major emphasis on e-commerce, must not over regulate, but stimulate the environment to encourage development in all sectors, and be not only leaders but world class practitioners.