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Australia embraces e-commerce
Along with a number of other APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation) economies,
Australia has adopted a goal of trying to reduce paper documents for customs and other cross-border trade administrations
by 2005.
The deadline for the other economies within APEC is 2010.
Electronic commerce (or "e-commerce") is one of the most high profile
and important aspects of today's information economy. E-commerce is any form of business transaction in which interactions
take place electronically rather than by using paper, physical exchange or contact. It is rapidly becoming the
"norm" for doing business.
APEC recognised the need for a concentrated approach to issues arising out of
the use and adoption of new technologies. All APEC economies have committed themselves to the goal of "paperless
trading".
APEC's Sub-Committee on Customs Procedures (SCCP) has focused on a program to
design and deliver, to its member economies, technical assistance, practical advice and support. This will assist
APEC economies to evaluate, develop and implement paperless trading processes. In the SCCP, Australia co-ordinates
this activity.
The first step of this project was to circulate a "paperless trading"
questionnaire and matrix among APEC members. The questionnaire is designed to gather information and to "bench-mark"
current practices. The questionnaire and matrix were distributed in August.
The SCCP has adopted a staged approach that promotes "self-help" among
APEC members, rather than relying on outside technical assistance. This approach recognises the diversity of the
economies within APEC, as well as respecting the variety of needs and priorities within the region. However, when
needed, a range of technical experts can be made available.
In the APEC region (and indeed within the whole global economy), maximum economic
and social benefits from the use of e-commerce will only be achieved if all economies are involved in its development
and experienced in its use.
To maximise the benefits of e-commerce within APEC, each economy in the region
will need to look to other international initiatives and ensure consistent policies are followed. In particular,
the balance between government regulation and private sector self-regulation is important. In this aspect especially,
the business sector will have a vital role to play.
For e-commerce to work successfully, access to information and infrastructure
must be assured. In addition, users and consumers must be able to trust both the information systems and the integrity
of electronic transactions. Regulatory uncertainty in the new electronic environment needs to be minimised and
logistical problems for payments and deliveries need to be addressed if e-commerce is to provide any real benefit.
APEC will hold a symposium on electronic commerce in China in 2001. The conference
will examine progress to date and discuss practical solutions to achieve APEC's "paperless trading" goals
by the deadlines previously adopted.
Along with other customs administrations, the Australian Customs Service has a
responsibility to facilitate the movement of goods and people across international borders while meeting the Government's
statutory requirements. The increasing use of e-commerce has already greatly changed customs processes all around
the world. This can be seen in the development of customs automation, the greater use of electronic messages and
the Internet.
The benefits of paperless trading were recognised by APEC Trade Ministers at their
June 2000 meeting in Darwin. The APEC Sub-Committee on Customs Procedures is focused on a program to design and
deliver technical assistance, practical advice and support - where needed. This will assist other APEC economies
to evaluate, develop and implement their e-commerce processes.
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