Press Release
ECE/TRADE/00/7
Geneva, 28 April 2000
Forum on E-Commerce for Transition
Economies
in the Digital Age
19 and 20 June 2000, Palais des Nations,
Geneva
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE), in collaboration with
the European Electronic Messaging Association (EEMA), will hold a two-day Forum on
E-Commerce for Transition Economies in the Digital Age on 19 and 20 June 2000 in Geneva.
The objectives of the Forum are to:
promote the development of the Internet and electronic commerce in
transition economies;
review the Internet infrastructure and prospects for new business
services in the countries of central and eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of
Independent States (CIS);
consider the potential of electronic commerce for small and
medium-sized enterprises;
identify the needs for capacity building.
The Forum will examine such practical questions as: What is the
realistic potential and time-scale of these new prospects? What can transition economies
do to participate in this progress? What can Governments in the region do to stimulate
electronic commerce, to encourage start-up ventures, assist the emergence of
profitable business operations and create long-term employment opportunities?
The discussions should not only raise awareness of the current
situation but also offer a panorama of the vast potential and upcoming opportunities of
the Information Society for these countries.
Ministers and high-ranking government officials from several UN/ECE
member States will explain their national policies and programmes on e-commerce. Key
players in the industry both at the global and regional level will discuss the future of
the Digital Economy and its implications for transition economies.
During the two days, participants will have the opportunity to meet
decision-makers and officials from all over the region, people who will provide the
framework by fostering the development of infrastructure and improving business
conditions. They will also meet international business leaders with years of experience;
and the major players in electronic commerce who will set the pace for the future. They
will further have the chance to meet high-ranking representatives of international
organizations, including the European Union, which are assisting the transition economies
in confronting the new challenges.
They will be able to discuss on an equal footing with experts from all
over the world these exciting market opportunities, get acquainted with the latest
technological and regulatory developments and gain insider knowledge from experts in the
field.
The Forum will be held in English, French and Russian, with
simultaneous interpretation provided. It is open to both the public and the private
sector.
There is no charge for participation in the Forum. Participants are
responsible for arranging their own travel and hotel accommodation in Geneva.
The Forum is being held in conjunction with the annual session of the
UN/ECE Committee for Trade, Industry and Enterprise Development (21-23 June).
Registration
forms and an updated list of the programme are available on the Website of the UN/ECE Trade Division.
Registration forms may also be obtained from the Forum Coordinator. As
places are limited, completed forms should be returned as soon as possible to:
Mr. Daewon CHOI, Forum Coordinator
Trade Division
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
Palais des Nations, Room 427
CH - 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Tel: (+41 22) 917 2474
Fax: (+41 22) 917 0178
E-mail: [email protected]
In order to provide
you with a better service, we would appreciate it if you would send a copy of your
article to: Information
Unit, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE), Palais des Nations, Room
356, CH - 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland,
Tel: +(41 22) 917 44 44, Fax: +(41 22) 917
05 05,
E-mail: [email protected], Website: http://www.unece.org
Thank you. |