Information and Communication Technologies in
International Trade, Investment and Sustainable Development: A Commonwealth Perspective.
19th to 21st May, 1997
New Dolmen Hotel, Malta

The Commonwealth Network of Information Technology (COMNET-IT), in association with the Malta External Trade Corporation (METCO), held an international workshop on 'Information and Communication Technologies in International Trade, Investment and Sustainable Development: a Commonwealth Perspective', in Malta on the 19th to 21st May, 1997 at the New Dolmen Hotel, Qawra, Malta. The event was sponsored by the Management and Training Services Division (MTSD) of the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Malta Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The workshop addressed an important aspect of the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting being held next October in Edinburgh, Scotland, the theme being 'Trade, Investment and Sustainable Development: the Road to Commonwealth Prosperity'. The Malta workshop provided an opportunity for participants to gain insights, establish contacts and propose measures affecting policy in this area.

Participants in this programme included policy makers in Government, Trade Promotion Organisations and Trade Facilitation Bodies, including Chambers of Commerce, as well as representatives of private industry.

The workshop was intended to:

• increase awareness of the opportunities, issues and initiatives involving electronic media in Trade and Commerce
• address the policy implications arising from the transformations taking place in this area
• propose initiatives that may be taken to facilitate the development of information infrastructure both within the Commonwealth and beyond.

Sessions and Topics included

Welcome and keynote address. The Hon. Mr. Leo Brincat, Minister for Finance and Commerce, Malta

• THE GLOBAL INFORMATION INFRASTRUCTURE
  
  • The Global Information Infrastructure(GII): A review since Buenos Aires
    Mr. Derrick Cogburn - Africa Regional Director & Research Fellow GII Commission, Washington.
  • Trade, Investment, & Sustainable Development: The Commonwealth Context.
    Mr. B. J. Ravichandra Rao - Export and Industrial Development Division, Commonwealth Secretariat.
    
    

• PUBLIC POLICY ISSUES
  
  
  • The Impact of Telecommunication Polices on Development
    Mr. Graham Wood Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO)
  • Strategies for Facilitation: The EU Programme for Electronic Commerce.
    Ms Rosalie Zobel DG III Industry Unit, European Commission
    
    
• PUBLIC/PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERSHIPS
  
  
  • ICT, Foreign Direct Investment and Sustainable Development: the Elsacom Experience'
    Ing Felix Grech - Technology Unit Malta Development Corporation
  • Globalisation, Infotrends &, Information Infrastructure Initiatives
    Mr. Vijit Ratnarajah - CEO for Industrial Technology & Market Information Network, Sri Lanka.
  • Panel Discussion on the day's themes Chair: Malta External Trade Corporation (METCO)
    
    

• ELECTRONIC COMMERCE
  
  
  • Chairperson: Mr Charles Collins - Managing Director of International Affairs, IBNet Corporation, & Strategic Planning Director, Consortium for Global Commerce,
  • Centre for the Facilitation of Administration, Commerce and Transport (CEFACT): Organisation and Focus
    Mr. Hans A. Hansell - Deputy Director, Trade Division UN Economic Commission for Europe.
  • The UN Trade Point Concept - Initiatives and success
    Mr. Bruno Lanvin - Director - UN Global Trade Point Program, UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
  • New Technologies for Trade Promotion Mr. Bernard Ancel -. Chief - Commercial Information Services.International Trade Centre (ITC)
  • National Trade Promotion Organisation for Malta The METCO Experience Mr. Anton Said - IT Coordinator, Malta External Trade Corporation
  • Internet and Global Trade
    Mr. Chris Makemson - Chairman, G7 Working Group on Identification & Registration
  • Working Groups:
    1. The Role of Government.
    2. The Role of Trade Promotion Organisations.
    3. Facilitation Models for SMEs.
  • The Global Network of Chambers of Commerce & Industry.
    Mr.Charles Collins
  • Panel Discussion: "Emerging Technologies and Tools for Trade" Chair and Introduction: Mr.Charles Collins
    
    

• PROGRAMME INITIATIVES
  
  
  • Mr. B.J. Ravichandra Rao - Commonwealth Secretariat. Export and Industrial Development Division
  • ICTs and Trade Facilitation
  • Supporting SMEs
  • Electronic Commerce Technologies as tools for Competitiveness in Asia Mr. N. Janardhan - Regional Advisor, Economic and Social Council Asia/Pacific (ESCAP).
  • Electronic Commerce in Rural Environments
    Mr.W.S Saraf, Director - Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology, Hyderabad - India.
  • Working Groups - continuation of business Working Group Presentations and Panel Discussion on the day's themes Chair: Mr. B.J.Ravichandra Rao - Commonwealth Secretariat
  • Closing Address by the Prime Minister of Malta, the Hon. Dr. Alfred Sant