Abu-Ghazaleh: EBDA initiative is part
of international participation and
represents an attack on the digital divide
Under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II, the first conference on electronic commerce was held today in Amman, the Jordanian capital, under the title “EBDA-Con” and under the motto of developing a new environment for the digital economy.
The conference was organized by the Amman Chamber of Industry supported by the European Commission, and aimed at the consolidation of communication and the exchange of information and expertise for improving the business environment, and keeping pace with digital technology.
Local and international experts presented work papers which addressed the importance of adopting and practicing electronic commerce and information technology and the available opportunities for entering world markets. The issues of the environment which are appropriate for practicing electronic commerce, the international legal requirements and the secure global infrastructure for meeting the challenges of this age were discussed.
In his opening speech in the conference, Mr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, in his capacity as Chairman of the Working Group on Human Resources and Capacity Building and Chairman of the Commission on E-Business, IT and Tele-communication, confirmed that the initiative of Electronic Business Development Activity “EBDA” is considered an example of the successful cooperation between the European Community and the private sector represented by the members of Amman Chamber of Commerce. EBDA is also considered a model project parallel to other initiatives presently underway. It is an important link with the international comprehensive coordinated project to bridge the digital gap. Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh pointed out that economic development and information and communication technology development are integrally linked with the age of information , and this is the real value of EBDA.
Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh addressed the conference saying that we are living in the information age where communications are instant, and through them we have access to a great amount of information at a low cost, and the components of this age are advanced knowledge and technology, and intellectual property, all of which are main instruments for economic competition.
Abu-Ghazaleh, therefore, believes that the Arab countries, as well as the developing countries are suffering from a digital gap. He stated that participation and integration in the information and communications revolution give great opportunities to the poor and the developing countries, though such participation is still limited. Accordingly, we are required to intensify our plans and efforts, and determine our obligations to make the best use of technical capabilities, because if we do not make the best use of them, the digital gap may become deeper. He considered this gap as a comprehensive term for a serious problem that constitutes a challenge with many aspects and should be overcome. He pointed out that treating one aspect of the challenge would not be beneficial , and called for the adoption of a comprehensive strategy which treats all aspects of the problem, with a wide participation by international bodies and governments, non-governmental organizations and the private sector, so that each party will play a role in the strategy.
He said increasing the common benefit of such participation would require an international effort, and this incited the United Nations to establish the United Nations Information and Communication Technologies Task Force ( UN ICT Task Force), and following that establishing the Arab Network of this Task Force , and selecting Amman as its regional headquarters.
He added that the main idea for establishing the United Nations Information and Communications Technologies Task Force is that the development initiatives may not be followed up or implemented without taking into consideration the information and communication technologies as a major basis for the general development infrastructure.
He emphasized the commitment to provide the opportunity, learning and training for all Arab citizens and to approve the procedures which aim at providing support and incentives to small and medium-size enterprises, as well as to free enterprises to connect to the Internet, and use them effectively.
Accordingly, Abu-Ghazaleh said EBDA can be viewed within its framework as part of a wide series of programs which can be implemented, and which, if taken together, represent an attack on the digital gap under the international supervision of the UN Information and Communication Technologies Task Force. This initiative is important because it links business organizations with the Internet and introduces them to electronic commerce, and this is the first step we should take.
Abu-Ghazaleh emphasized that one of the most important steps which we can also take is to provide learning, and encourage people to use and benefit form information and communication technologies. He said that this makes him concerned over assuming the responsibility of laying down plans for capacity building in information and communication technologies.