REPORT ON PHASE 1 OF THE PROGRAM TO ASSIST THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ELECTRONIC COMMERCE FOR COMMERCIAL MESSAGES IN MEXICO

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ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION

TRANSPORTATION WORKING GROUP

SEVENTEENTH MEETING ¡V SINGAPORE

MARCH 2000 

STEERING COMMITTEE ON MORE COMPETITIVE TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY 

(INCLUDING INFRASTRUCTURE)

ELECTRONIC COMMERCE GROUP

REPORT ON PHASE 1 OF THE PROGRAM TO ASSIST THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ELECTRONIC COMMERCE FOR COMMERCIAL MESSAGES (TPT 01/99T)

IN MEXICO

Submitted by Mexico

March 2000

LEAD ECONOMY: AUSTRALIA

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Course of E- Commerce in Mexico

Brief Report

APEC TPT-WG 

Phase 1, E-Commerce Project

Mexico City, October 18-22

1.    Background

At the 15^th TPT-WG meeting, Mexico accepted in principle the kind invitation of Australia to participate in the EC- Project, Phase1, consisting in delivery of EC-courses for interested economies.

Some problems had to be solved before getting a final approval. Questions in relation to funding, kind of course, commitments, appropriate audience, effective interest by potential participants, were broadly discussed. 

Periodical communication with Australia helped to clarify issues and, by the middle of 1999, authorities gave their approval.  Then, preparation of the Course began in coordination with public agencies and private organizations.

2.    Preparation

Since EQUANT, the consulting firm, would be in charge of the course, preparation included only the following tasks:

• Selection of Audience.- The purpose was to have a short but well-balanced audience, with expertise or responsibility in EC issues.

• Selection of Venue.- The Mexican Bank of Foreign Trade offered its well-equipped facilities that were conveniently located.

• Selection of a Major User of EC.- The Company TMM (Mexican Maritime Transportation) was selected to offer an illustrative and practical session.

• Invitation to EC providers.- An effort was made to get the participation of EC providers. People of Sterling, IBM and GE accepted kindly our invitation.

• Support by Public/ Private Agencies.- Responsibilities and additional expenses were shared by various public and private agencies.

3.    Organizers/ Sponsors

• Organization of the event was in charge of the SCT (Ministry of Communications and Transportation), as the highest authority in transportation. This facilitated the decisions making and the tasks to be made.

• Various public agencies were involved in this event, as assistants or sponsors. Some of them were the Coordination General of Merchant Marine, the Mexican Institute of Transport and the Mexican Bank of Foreign Trade. Participation of Associations of Transportation, Ports Authorities and main carriers, was also very important. TMM played an important role, as sponsor, organizer and conductor of the illustrative session.

4.    Speakers

•  The conduction of the Course was in charge of Mr. Arnold Miranda and his colleagues of EQUANT. All the participants who expressed appreciation for their assistance on general and specific topics recognized their great job.

• EC-Providers, like Sterling, IBM and GE, complemented the job of EQUANT with fresh and smart observations.

•  Everybody agreed that session conducted by TMM speakers was particularly interesting and illustrative. As players of the global world and old users of EC, all the participants took their recommendations into account.

• Authorities were in charge of opening and closing remarks. In general, they underlined the importance of  EC in APEC region and proposed to make strong efforts in this area.

 5.    Participants

• The number of participants was about 20. Most of them were engineers with expertise in EC topics and medium/high levels of responsibility in operation of information systems.

• As a result, we had a well-balanced audience: Maritime Transport (10), Rail Transport (4), Air Transport (2), Others (4).  As people interested in EC topic, the dialogue was really fruitful.

6.    Contents

•  The participants considered the EC course very useful. For most of them, the course accomplished fully their expectations. In fact:

• All the participants expressed that EC course was a good introduction to EC issues. 

• The course adopted a practical and theoretical focus that made it more attractive. 

• The conductor put on the table the available technologies on EC with pros and cons and this was very much appreciated. 

• Some people considered the course as an up-to-date overview in EC issues.

• Everybody could follow discussion, but sometimes technical and complicated problems were analyzed. 

• In general, it was an opportunity to exchange point of view with experts and colleagues.

7.    Brainstorming

At the end of the course, a kind of brainstorming session took place spontaneously. Questions like these were expressed: What should be done? Should the government be the leader in EC? Should the EC be regulated or not? Should a top decision body be conformed? What should be done to promote EC and expand its use? After a long discussion, two positions were kept: one asking free market and other asking promotion and conduction by the government.

Finally, people agreed that expansion of EC requests individual, collective and national action. Providers of transport services can do a lot with respect to individual and collective action, and make recommendations regarding national action.

8.    Evaluation

 For the first time, it was organized an EC course particularly focused on transport sector. This reinforced the work we are doing in this area. Consensus was reached about the good quality of the course, particularly with respect to speakers and sound organisation. With no doubt the course was an opportunity to promote new projects and initiatives. 

Also the course helped to make a self-criticism on development of EC in Mexico and review things that should be continued, interrupted or improved. Public and private agencies are recognizing that they can work together and share responsibilities, tasks and efforts in EC promotion.

9.    Some Results

The biggest port (Veracruz) and the most important air carrier (Mexicana of Aviation) took advantage of the course to fine-tune some EC applications.

• All the rail transport companies and the Mexican Bank of Foreign Trade are now implementing EC technologies.

• The Mexican Institute for Transport (IMT) is taking advantage of these materials, as inputs for its training programs.

• Recently legal validity was given to EC transactions. 

• Demonstration effect is working and now small companies are showing interest in EC.

• All participants agreed that new programs of training are necessary to walk faster. The EC course was only a step, but many more steps must be taken in the near future.  

This page was last updated on 18 JUL 2000