Outline. Recommendations

Transcription

1 Follow-up Workshop on Delivery of E-Services in Civil Society, Beirut - Lebanon E-Commerce & Payment Solutions in the Region Rami Zaatari ICT Division 29 Nov. 2010

2 Outline E-Business and E-Commerce e-commerce Potential in MENA Region ICT Penetration in the ESCWA region e-commerce Main Obstacles e-commerce Trends in MENA Region E-payment solutions & services Money Transfer Prepaid Internet Cards Mobile-based Payments Credit Card Services Payment Services through Recommendations

3 E-Business and E-Commerce The Internet is a viable platform for conducting business and commerce as more robust and advanced ICT applications are developed; In most countries, Internet use is limited to communication ( , web browsing, other applications); In few countries, Internet use includes online shopping, online transaction processing e-payments, electronic funds transfer e-banking and other electronic financial services, Internet marketing, and many other advanced e-business applications.

4 e-commerce Potential in MENA Region The region has more than 60 million internet users and over 80 million mobile phone users; It posted the world's highest internet usage growth for period at 1,648%; E-commerce transactions is estimated to grow by 15% in 2010; However, e-commerce has been slow to develop in the MENA region albeit some notable e-commerce pioneers.

5 ICT Penetration in the ESCWA region ICT diffusion is improving in EMCs; Six-fold increase in mobile subscriptions, Subscriptions or users per 100 inhabitants, % 57% 70% 11% 15% 21% 29% Logarithmic scale

6 e-commerce Main Obstacles Lack of laws covering the sector: e-commerce, e-signature, etc.. Lack of online payment infrastructure; High cost of broadband; Growing Internet security and privacy threats; Few online ventures in the region encourage Internet users to buy online as opposed to developed countries.

7 e-commerce Trends in MENA Region Percentage of MENA Internet users who bought products/services online in 2010: Overall for MENA region was 32% (compared to 62% in the UK); 43% in the GCC; 20% in the Levant (Jordan, Lebanon & Syria); 19% in North Africa; 28% of male Internet users in the MENA shop online, compared to 25% for females.

8 Internet t penetration ti rates - mid 2009 Source: Media Consumption & Habits of MENA Internet Users Survey -

9 E-Commerce Leading Products and Services Ticketing and reservations; Bill payment; Computer software and hardware; Books, flowers; Electronic equipment; Clothing/Accessories/Shoes Food products and food delivery services.

10 E-payment solutions & services Money Transfer Online Money Transfer - OMT, Lebanon ( they have a Cash to Business service; Western Union ( - este U o ( este u o co ) Worldwide

11 E-payment solutions & services Prepaid Internet t Cards OneCard ( operates in SA, EG,KW, SY, AE; cashu ( offered in 35 countries around the world.

12 E-payment solutions & services Credit Card Services CSC ( - operates in Lebanon, Bahrain, Jordan, Syria, Egypt, Sudan, Yemen, Djibouti, i Qatar, Iraq, Algeria, Oman; Visa Jordan Card Services ( - Jordan NetCommerce ( - Lebanon

13 E-payment solutions & services Mobile-based b Payments Depends on Mobile operators; some provide a 4-digit number service to which users can send an SMS to donate/pay money. Paynet ( operates in Jordan. Mpay ( operates in Kuwait and soon in the region.

14 E-payment solutions & services Payment Services through h PayPal ( operates in Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, i Jordan, Kuwait, Morroco, Oman, Qatar, KSA, Somalia, Tunisia, UAE, Yemen. AlertPay ( Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, KSA, Tunisia, UAE, Yemen

15 Recommendations Harmonize cyber-legislations in order promote e- transaction laws and e-commerce in the region; Update national legal frameworks to cover cyber-laws laws, privacy and data protection, countering cybercrimes, IPR protection, as well as consumer protection; Avail various and secure online payment methods to meet different needs; Improve affordable access to Internet services especially broadband; Increase public ICT literacy skills through capacity building and training programmes.

16 Thank you