The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is providing financial support to the tune of SR241,700, which would be used to procure some of the necessary hardware and application for the implementation of an e-commerce portal for Seychelles.

It is to be recalled that in October 2002, a Commonwealth Secretariat consultant conducted a technical feasibility for an e-commerce platform for Seychelles, initiated by the Ministry of Industries and International Business (MIIB). 

Subsequently, the Government requested the assistance of the ITU to establish a strategy and identify the requirements for a cost effective, sustainable and secure e-commerce project to meet the needs and the requirements of the Seychelles.

An ITU consultant conducted a fact-finding mission in Seychelles in November 2002 and a workshop was organised with participation of a various stakeholders from both the public and private sectors. 

As part of the strategy, an ITU questionnaire was circulated to various parties so as to collect basic information.

A national e-commerce task force has been formed, consisting of various stakeholders from both the public and private sectors. Two meetings have been held to collect information but, according to the Ministry of Information, Technology and Communication (MITC), the responses have not been to expectation.

During the first quarter of 2004 the MITC, in collaboration with ITU, will organise a follow-up workshop to coincide with the launching of the first stage of the e-commerce project.

More information about the project is available at www.seychelles.sc/ecommerce.

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