MISSION REPORT
10 October 2000
Alexander NTOKO, Project Manager, EC-DC
Muscat, Sultanate of OMAN
7-11 October 2000
 
PURPOSE OF THE MISSION:
The conference, "Meeting the Challenges of Electronic Business", was organized by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Arab Management Society (AMS) and Talal Abu- Ghazaleh International (TAGI). It was attended my more than 200 delegates from about 10 Arab States and many private sector companies. Under the patronage of the Minister of Commerce and Industry of the Sultanate of Oman, the two-day event was aimed at addressing the technology, policy and regulatory, legal, intellectual property and privacy issues of E-business. The purpose of the mission was to:
-Represent the ITU as a speaker and panelist for the E-business and ICT sessions.
-Present technology and policy strategies for truly global connections for E-business.
-Highlight the role of the ITU in assisting developing countries in the technical, policy and human resources sectors of E-business.
PERSONS MET:
  • Mr. Talal Abu-GHAZALEH, President of TAGI and AMS
  • Mr. Hamood H. AL-RAWAHY, Director of Corporate Planning and Development, OMANTEL
  • Chairman and President, OMAN Telecommunications Company
  • Mr. Stefan DRASZCZYK, Director ICC Conferences, ICC, Paris
  • Mr. Christiaan van der VALK, Vice President, AddTrust, Sweden
  • Mr. Mustafa NASEREDDIN, Manager, AMS and Executive Director, TAGI
  • Mr. Alastair TEMPEST, Director General, Federation of European Direct Marketing (FEDMA)
MAIN ACTIVITIES:
The meeting provided an opportunity to highlight the activities and the role of ITU in addressing ICT issues, the E-business activities undertaken by the ITU (EC-DC) and the prominent role that ICT plays in the development of a networked economy.
After the conference, a meeting was held at the OMAN Telecommunications Office. The objective was to give guidance to OMANTEL to adopt proper strategies aimed at addressing market convergence issues the provisioning of value-added services.
Policy guidelines aimed at creating an environment conducive to the expansion of the Internet and e-business and a technology strategy that addresses some of the current barriers to E-business in the Arab States Region. This was achieved through presentations, a supporting paper and discussions.
 
RESULTS:
The delegates and organizers appreciated the activities of the ITU in assisting countries in the region and requested further guidance from the ITU in Internet and E-business.
An Arab Task Force for E-business created as a concrete outcome of the conference. The organizers and the government of the Sultanate of Oman invited the ITU to play a key role in the work of this Task Force. This invitation was accepted.
The meeting with the Chairman of OMANTEL and the Director of corporate planning and development resulted in the Sultanate of Oman being the 106th country participating in the ITU EC-DC project.
CONCLUSIONS:
All the objectives for the mission were met. The activities of the ITU in the area of E-business were very much appreciated. The meeting created a framework for closer collaboration between ITU, ICC, AMS and other regional organizations involved in ICT activities.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
The competition faced by the ITU in its ICT activities for developing countries is becoming a real challenge as several organizations are involved in what used to be activities undertaken by the ITU. It is important for the ITU to be more focused on the relevant issues, be aggressive, and be present at events where other competing organizations are participating. We already have an Action Plan to bridge the Digital Divide. A task force needs to be formed.
FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITIES:
As a result of the creation of the Arab E-Business Task Force, activities shall be undertaken to assist the Arab States in defining the activities and goals for the Task Force. ITU will provide the Internet and E-business policy guidance to the members (Arab States) of this Task Force through close work-collaboration with AMS, ICC, TAGI, regional organizations, governments and private sectors in the region.
 

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