14^th Transportation Working Group Meeting
Seoul, October 19-23, 1998

ELECTRONIC COMMERCE
REQUIREMENTS FOR PAPER DOCUMENTS

ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION
TRANSPORTATION WORKING GROUP
FOURTEENTH MEETING – SEOUL, KOREA

OCTOBER 1998

TRANSPORTATION ELECTRONIC COMMERCE
Requirements for Paper Documents

Submitted by Australia

September 1998

Agenda Item

PURPOSE:

To consider measures to accelerate the process of removing requirements for paper documents and recognizing electronic alternatives for the key documents relevant to international sea and air freight.

BACKGROUND

At the 8th APEC Transportation Working Group (TPT-WG) in September 1995, it was agreed:

"that as soon as practicable within the next ten years, member economies should seek to eliminate the requirement for paper documents (both regulatory and institutional) for the key messages relevant to international sea and air transport and trade."

At the 12th meeting of the TPT-WG in October 1997, Australia tabled an updated report (TPT/WG12/PLEN/7.2B) on requirements for paper documents in APEC economies. A summary of the latest information available is included in Attachment A to this paper.

COMMENT

General

At the October 1997 meeting member economies agreed to the following :

1.Note that legislation relevant to requirements for paper documents is likely to be administered in portfolios other than transport (eg. with portfolios dealing with Customs, and trade and commerce laws).

2.In light of point 1 above, TPT-WG members should, where appropriate, approach the relevant portfolios in their own economies for assistance in removing requirements for paper documents covering international trade and transport, where satisfactory facilities for transmitting documents in electronic form can be made available.

3.Within the next twelve months, APEC economies should endeavour to prepare a program of actions aimed at removing, as soon as practicable but no later than the year 2005, requirements for paper documents (both regulatory and institutional) for the key messages relevant to international sea and air freight. This is consistent with the agreements reached at the TPT-WG’s 8th meeting in September 1995.

4.A copy of this paper (TPT-WG12/PLEN/7.2B), together with the position agreed by TPT-WG, should be transmitted to the APEC Committee on Trade and Investment (CTI) with a request that they assist where possible in achieving the outcome referred to in recommendation 3 above. In considering this issue, CTI should be asked to consider including Electronic Commerce commitments in economies Individual Action Plans (IAPs).

5.Australia will prepare a paper for the 13th TPT-WG meeting on the need to survey member economies for information on the state of implementation of EDIFACT Messages in the Trade and Transportation chain ie.

BAPLIE, CUSDEC, CUSCAR, POA. The information is required to support efforts to improve the rate of implementation.

6.The TPT-WG ask the CTI to give consideration to identifying the documentary flows in the related trade and financial cycles and to identifying limitations on, and barriers to, the use of electronic commerce in those cycles. TPT-WG could ask the CTI to consider adopting a similar commitment to address those barriers. This would then enable the TPT-WG to focus upon the impediments within the transport cycle.

7.The TPT-WG consider asking CTI to involve the Business Advisory Council which may have significant information and views on this matter in the above task.

At the 13th meeting in Mexico City in April 1998, the TPT-WG agreed to develop a collective action plan to promote the take up of electronic commerce in member economies. The purpose of the collective action plan is to identify action priorities, which will provide further impetus to electronic commerce work in the TPT-WG as well as meet the specific needs of economies.

Australia is proposing to incorporate points 1, 2, and 3 agreed at TPT-WG 12, into the collective action plan. It is also proposed that the TPT-WG work together with the Sub-Committee on Customs Procedures (SCCP). Under this program of co-operation it is envisaged that TPT-WG members in each economy will work together with their SCCP contacts. Please refer to paper on draft collective action plan.

With regard to points 4, 6, and 7, on 16 December 1997 Australia wrote to the Chair of the CTI. A reminder was sent to the Secretary of the CTI on 14 August 1998. Australia has now received a response from the CTI which states that this matter would be most appropriately handled by the SCCP, which is already involved in an extensive work program on electronic commerce. Australia will be writing to the SCCP Chair to seek advice on the CTI decision.

On point 5 it was recommended at TPT-WG 13 that members postpone a decision on the need for a survey for information on the state of implementation of EDIFACT messages in the trade and transportation chain. Further details on this point can be found under the section 'Survey for information on the state of implementation of EDIFACT messages' on page 8 of the paper prepared by Australia for TPT-WG13 titled "Proposed TPT-WG contribution to SOM Electronic Commerce Task Force Work Program".

Bill of Lading Issue

From Attachment A it appears that the acceptance of the Bill of Lading in electronic form is a problem common to most economies. In this regard, it should be noted that considerable effort and funds are being expended in Europe on the issue of handling the Bill of Lading within an environment of electronic commerce. This is being done under a project known as Bolero, and APEC economies may wish to keep abreast of progress made on that project.

Legal Aspects of Electronic Commerce

To assist Australian industry in dealing with the legal aspects of electronic commerce, in July 1997 the Australian Government established an advisory group to consider the legal issues arising from the development of electronic commerce. Membership of the group included representatives from industry associations, business, the legal profession and government. The group’s report, "Electronic Commerce: Building the Legal Framework", was completed in March 1998.

The group focuses on a number of key objectives, including:

the need to increase the overall efficiency of electronic commerce transactions;

the need to resolve the legal uncertainties which are often cited as an impediment to the adoption of electronic commerce; and the appropriate means of updating the law to take account of technological change.

Cognisant of the need to consider legal infrastructure issues in an international context, the group reviewed developments in the regulation of electronic commerce in a number of overseas jurisdictions, both as they relate to adoption of UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce and to issues of electronic signatures. A Copy of this report can be found on the Internet at: http://law.gov.au/aghome/advisory/eceg/ecegreport.html

The UNCITRAL Model Law can be found at: http://www.un.or.at/uncitral/texts/electcom/ml-ec.html. If you experience a problem with this address, go into http://www.un.or.at/ and find your way to the Model Law.

RECOMMENDATIONS

It is recommended that member economies agree to the following :

1.Points 1, 2, and 3 (on page 1), agreed at TPT-WG12 be incorporated into the collective action plan.

2.The SCCP and TPT-WG work together to address the issue of requirements for paper documents.

ELECTRONIC COMMERCE
COMMERCIAL MESSAGES PROJECT

ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION
TRANSPORTATION WORKING GROUP
FOURTEENTH MEETING – SEOUL, KOREA
OCTOBER 1998
MORE COMPETITIVE TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY (INCLUDING
INFRASTRUCTURE) STEERING COMMITTEE
ELECTRONIC COMMERCE
COMMERCIAL MESSAGES PROJECT
Submitted by Australia
September 1998

PURPOSE:

To seek agreement for the Electronic Commercial Messages project to be concluded ,with the lessons learnt and business contacts made being rolled into the new electronic commerce project funded by APEC.

BACKGROUND

The Australian Government's Maritime Transport Group and Tradegate ECA have jointly funded this project under the auspices of the APEC TPT-WG. The project has been managed by Tradegate ECA.

The primary aim of the project has been to identify, through pilot trials, the processes and preparation required to enable businesses involved in international trade and transport to trial and use harmonised EDIFACT messages in the trading chain between organisations in APEC economies.

COMMENTS

The Progress Report on the Commercial Messages Project presented at the 13th TPT-WG Meeting in Mexico, provided a brief synopsis of the work undertaken by the companies participating in this project (Cadbury Schweppes, Murray Goulburn and BHP Transport).

Murray Goulburn has successfully trialed the electronic Export Receival Advice (ERA) with P&O Ports in Melbourne and the SANCRT/EXIT single message to the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service. Another recent success was the official launch of the electronic ERA between ANL Limited, Murray Goulburn and P&O Ports. This document facilitates the passing of export information from shipper to the stevedore and then on to the shipping company, thus eliminating paperwork in the export chain.

Cadbury Schweppes has also been successful in trialing its air consignment activity with Specific Freight in Melbourne. The Shipper’s Letter of Instruction and Invoice EDI messages have been successfully tested between Cadbury Schweppes and Specific Freight. The next step required is the exchange of EDI messages between the freight forwarder in Australia (Specific Freight) and the freight forwarder in Singapore (Skylift). It is intended that this will be followed by the Cadbury to Cadbury movement of Despatch Advice and Invoice data.

BHP is pursuing efforts to get its US agencies onto EDI trials involving bills of lading for its steel products on the Australian/West Coast USA trade. At this stage none have joined. It should be noted that BHP's documentary system covering its steel trade between Australia and New Zealand is now fully electronic using EDIFACT messages.

Even though these companies have committed a great deal of resources in developing the EDI concept, for various reasons (including the Y2K problem) each company has suspended further work on the project for the time being. However these companies have expressed a desire to pursue this project in the future.

At the Mexico meeting member economies agreed that Australia prepare a report for TPT 14 on the lessons learned from this project, as a valuable contribution to progressing the new project.

There has been a steady increase in the uptake of electronic commerce, including EDIFACT messages on a worldwide basis. It is therefore in the interest of member economies to continue their efforts to facilitate the use of electronic commerce in the transport sector.

LESSONS LEARNED

While the three Australian companies participating in the project had clearly intended to carry the proposed electronic message trials, for various reasons progress was slower than expected. In hindsight, this is not surprising given the substantial commitment and preparation businesses needed to make before being in a position to trial messages, and then deal with related problems arising from the trials. As participants were meeting their own costs it was unrealistic to expect them to move at a faster pace than permitted by their business circumstances. The project has demonstrated that the adoption of electronic commerce by commercial companies will only proceed at the pace that fits in with the priorities of the trading partners concerned.

The major lessons learnt from the project were:

businesses proposing to participate in the new project need to be given an introductory course on the options available and commitment required for the successful implementation of electronic commerce. This has been provided for under Phase 1 of the new project

the successful trialing of electronic messages between trading partners is an essential step in the process of implementing electronic commerce systems; the senior management of businesses wishing to adopt electronic commerce need to make a carefully considered commitment to allocate sufficient resources to the preparatory work needed, including the trialing of messages;

finding businesses willing to participate in electronic message trials with trading partners in other APEC economies, needs considerable effort on the part of relevant government agencies and/or national bodies established to facilitate the adoption of electronic commerce;

it is essential for economies wishing to participate in APEC electronic commerce projects to have a local coordinator who is provided with sufficient support (including financial) to be able to attend to the various arrangements needed at local level. This includes providing a suitable point of contact for the overall project manager and any consultants engaged to deliver services under a project, and to generally liaise with local participating businesses;

adequate infrastructure (including telephone lines and internet facilities) are essential for the effective participation in electronic message trials.

The lessons from this project will be taken into account in the new electronic commerce project. In this regard, Phase 1 of the new project has been designed to focus entirely on the education and awareness aspects of electronic commerce. This is seen as an area in which the cooperative efforts of the TPT-WG can make a significant contribution in facilitating the uptake of electronic commerce by commercial firms. It is anticipated that Australian companies may not need to take part in Phase 1. They are however, expected to participate in the trials for Phase 2 and 3.

RECOMMENDATIONS

It is recommended that member economies agree that:

The current limited Electronic Commercial Messages project be regarded as concluded and the lessons learnt and business contacts made be rolled into the new project funded by APEC.

PROPOSAL TO IMPLEMENT PHASE 1
OF THE PROPOSED NEW
ELECTRONIC COMMERCE PROJECT

ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION
TRANSPORTATION WORKING GROUP
FOURTEENTH MEETING - SEOUL
OCTOBER 1998
Submitted by Australia
September 1998

Agenda Item 7

PURPOSE:

To seek the TPT-WG's agreement to the actions required to implement Phase 1 of the electronic commerce project for which approval of APEC funding of US$ 67,000 is expected to be endorsed by Ministers in November 1998.

A. BACKGROUND

At its 13th meeting in Mexico, the TPT-WG agreed on a proposal to seek APEC funding for Phase 1 of a project designed to assist businesses, involved with international transport, to implement electronic commerce systems that best meet their needs.

Funding of US$ 67,000 for Phase 1 of the project was approved by the BAC at its meeting in Singapore on 29-31 July 1998. This approval is expected to be endorsed by the SOM in September 1998 and by Ministers in November 1998. It should be noted that this funding will only cover the cost of the consultant, or consultants, engaged for Phase 1 and the preparation and printing of the final report of this phase.

The purpose of this paper is to highlight to TPT-WG members the actions that will be needed to implement Phase 1 of the project.

B. ACTIONS TO IMPLEMENT PHASE 1

Implementation of the project agreed by the TPT-WG requires the following matters to be finalised at the TPT-WG's 14th meeting in Seoul (19 to 23 October 1998):

a.Details concerning participants in the project.

b.Procedures for managing and oversighting the project.

c.Procedures covering the "Request for Proposal" (ie. tenders).

a) Details concerning participants in the project

In order to include sufficient details about the task involved (eg. how many economies to be visited) in the Request for Proposal (RFP), it will be essential for economies to provide the following information to Australia, as project coordinator, prior to (but no later than) 19 October 1998 (first day of the TPT-WG's 14th meeting):

names of economies wishing to obtain assistance under the project, together with details of their local project coordinator and businesses wishing to participate in the project.

Economies in which electronic commerce courses are to be run under Phase 1 of the project, will need to provide a suitable venue with the required supporting facilities (eg overhead projector, desks for workshop sessions, etc).

b) Procedures for managing and oversighting the project

A small Steering Committee will need to be established to oversight the project on behalf of the TPT-WG. The composition of the Steering Committee should be agreed at the Electronic Commerce Group meeting in Seoul on 19 October 1998. The Steering Committee will need to agree on the procedures concerning the issuing and evaluating responses to the Request for Proposal along the lines proposed in c) below.

c) Procedures covering the Request for Proposal (RFP)

The Steering Committee will work with the APEC Secretariat to ensure that the required procedures for approving the RFP and the selection of a consultant (or consultants) for Phase 1 are met. Because of the time frames involved it is proposed that the selection process for the consultant (s) be conducted by correspondence or electronic mail. A copy of the proposed RFP is attached.

Assuming that final funding approval has been received, it is proposed that interested economies advertise the RFP through their own media outlets on the same date and for the same period. Those economies would then select the top three responses and forward these to the APEC Secretariat. The Secretariat will then forward responses to the Steering Committee which will select and rank the top three responses and send them to the Secretariat for final decision and processing of contractual arrangements.

C.PROPOSED TIMETABLE FOR PHASE 1

Date Action

October 1998

The TPT WG to agree at its 14th meeting on the RFP and the composition of the Steering Committee.

Economies wishing to obtain assistance under Phase 1 of the project will need to provide information on participating businesses and their local project coordinator.

December 1998

On the basis that final funding approval has been received, issue the RFP. Interested economies should advertise the RFP through their own media outlets.

February/March 1999

Evaluate responses to the RFP and select successful consultant or consultants

April 1999

June 1999

Sign contract (s) for Phase 1 services.

Commence Phase 1 of project

November 1999

Complete Phase 1 of project

D.INDICATIVE TIMETABLE FOR DRAWDOWN OF APEC FUNDING IN 1999

Date 1999

Reason for funds Amount (US$)

June/July

July/August

Consultant's travel and accommodation 10,250
Consultant's fee for completion of 5,500
courses for first two economies
Consultant's one off costs for course 3,000

Preparation

Consultant's travel and accommodation 10,250
Consultant's fee for completion of 5,500
courses for second two economies

September/October

Consultant's travel and accommodation 10,250
Consultant's fee for completion of 5,500
courses for third two economies

October/November

15 December

Consultant's travel and accommodation 10,250
Consultant's fee for completion of 5,500
courses for fourth two economies

Publication of Phase 1 report 1,000

TOTAL 67,000

Note:

Details of payment arrangements and timetable for conducting courses would be subject to negotiation.

E. RECOMMENDATIONS

It is recommended that, subject to obtaining final funding approval from Ministers, the TPT-WG agree to the following matters contained in Document TPT/WG14/

1.the actions to implement Phase 1 of the project as outlined in section B;

2.the proposed timetable in section C;

3.the indicative timetable for drawdown of APEC funding in section D; and

4.the Request for Proposal attached to the document.

ATTACHMENT
APEC - TRANSPORTATION WORKING GROUP

DRAFT REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
PHASE 1 OF ELECTRONIC COMMERCE PROJECT

Summary

This Request for Proposal (RFP) invites suitably qualified consultants to submit proposals to provide services required under Phase 1 of an electronic commerce project. The project will be conducted under the guidance and oversight of a Steering Committee, established by the APEC Transportation Working Group (TPT-WG).

The purpose of Phase 1 of the project is to provide participants with a sound base of knowledge and skills in electronic commerce to enable them to install electronic commerce systems in their businesses, and prepare them for the trialing of messages under Phases 2 and 3 of the project.

Phase 1 is to commence in June 1999 and be completed in November 1999.

An outline of the three phases of the project is at Appendix 1. Separate RFP's will be sought for Phases 2 and 3. There could be a possibility that the project will be undertaken jointly with the CTI Sub-Committee on Customs Procedures (SCCP) which is leading an electronic commerce project "SCCP Program to Implement UN/EDIFACT electronic message standards".

Objective

The objective of this consultancy is to deliver courses that will:

assist businesses (including Government owned) involved with international transport and related trading activities to implement electronic commerce systems that best meet their needs;

provide examples of successful implementation of various forms of electronic commerce so that businesses can more readily judge the system best suited to their needs;

demonstrate the process for implementing electronic commerce in a consistent manner which is compatible with as wide a range of trading partners as practicable. This will enable the benefits of electronic commerce in APEC economies to be maximised; identify and assist in removing technical and business barriers to the adoption of electronic commerce and

increase the capability of businesses in APEC economies to adopt this technology;

prepare participants for the trialing of messages under Phases 2 and 3 of the project.

Background

Increasing the electronic commerce capability of businesses in APEC economies will make a significant contribution to facilitating the development of efficient systems for the international transport of sea and air freight. The issue of electronic commerce in transport, and how best to promote its cost-effective use, has been on the TPT-WG's agenda for several years.

Phase 1 Terms of Reference

Under Phase 1 of the project, the consultant will be required to develop and conduct a five day course in each of the following [eight] APEC economies:

(the economies to be nominated for this purpose will need to be finalised and agreed at the 14th TPT-WG meeting)

On completion of each course the Consultant will be required to submit a report containing information (including effectiveness) about the course work delivered.

All documentation associated with this consultancy is to be in English.

In order to complete Phase 1 within the required time it is possible that more than one consultant could be selected, if this is considered to be a cost/effective arrangement.

Prospective consultants are free to propose variations to the project outline which they consider will improve the outcomes. Also, they should advise on the most cost effective way of planning the course dates. In this regard it would improve cost/effectiveness if the selected consultant (s) could cover at least two economies in each tour to deliver Phase 1 courses.

Project Oversight

The Consultant (s) will be subject to directions from the Project Overseer who will chair the TPT-WG's Steering Committee. This Committee will work with the APEC Secretariat in respect of the arrangements and procedures contained in Appendix 2.

Timing

Bidders for this consultancy should be aware of the following indicative timetable:

29 January 1999: Closing date for receipt of responses to this RFP.
30 March 1999: Complete selection process for consultant (s) for Phase 1.
20 April 1999: Sign contracts with consultant (s)
1 June 1999: Consultant(s) to commence work required under Phase 1
15 November 1999: Complete delivery of courses required under Phase 1

Proposals

Bidders should demonstrate their ability to meet the project requirements in a formal proposal incorporating the following components:

outline of methodology;
qualifications and experience for the required task;
previous experience on similar tasks;
proposed timetable;
itemised budget covering charges for services to be provided; and
preferred payment arrangements.

Lodgment of Proposals

Bidders must lodge one original and three copies of their detailed proposals via registered mail or courier. Proposals must also be submitted by e-mail. Addresses are as follows:

(relevant postal/courier and e-mail addresses to be inserted by each economy advertising the RFP).

Proposals, will be subject to the guidelines set out in Appendix 2, and must be received by 5 pm on Friday 29 January 1999.

Selection Process

Proposals submitted by prospective consultants will be assessed on the basis of:

soundness of methodology;
suitability of consultant;
attention to detail;

demonstrated technical expertise in developing and delivering electronic commerce courses similar to the ones required under Phase 1; awareness of the objectives of the APEC region and the goals of the TPT-WG's electronic commerce project work; and value for money.

This RFP is being advertised within other TPT-WG economies which will select the top three responses and forward these to the APEC Secretariat. The Secretariat will then forward the responses to the Steering Committee for this project, which will select and rank the top three responses and send them to the Secretariat for final decision and processing of contractual arrangements.

Budget

The maximum budget allocated for this consultancy (ie. Phase 1) is US$ 67,000 and bids must not exceed this figure.

Payment Arrangements
Payment arrangements will be subject to negotiation.
Project Management
All inquiries on this document should be directed to the project overseer:
Ms Joanne Blackburn
Assistant Secretary
Maritime Transport Group
Department of Workplace Relations and Small Business
GPO Box 9879, Canberra City, ACT 2601
AUSTRALIA.

STEERING COMMITTEE FOR ELECTRONIC COMMERCE PHASE 1 CONSULTANCY - (TPT/……)

AUSTRALIA
Ms Joanne Blackburn
Assistant Secretary
Maritime Transport Group
Department of Workplace
Relations and Small Business
GPO Box 9879, Canberra City,
ACT 2601
AUSTRALIA.
Phone: +61 2 6274 7982
Fax: +61 2 6274 7744
E-mail: JBlackburn@dwrsb.gov.au

Other members TBA

APPENDIX 1

OUTLINE OF APEC TRANSPORTATION WORKING GROUP PROJECT

Project Objective:

To provide participants with the knowledge and ability to implement electronic commerce (EC) systems for commercial transactions.

Phase 1 Introduction To Electronic Commerce

Course Requirement

Introduction

systems available and general characteristics
current situation with use of EC use in international trade
awareness of EC projects in APEC groups and how these can be used by participants in current project
Associations for facilitating adoption of EC
Functions and uses of EDI
EDI Standards including EDIFACT process
Functions and uses of E-Forms and e-mail
Facilities for linking E-Forms to EDI through bureau services
Costs and benefits of different EC systems
Use of the Internet
Use of Value Added Networks (VANs)

Role of software suppliers and availability of software for particular functions. Consider availability of local software.

Security of information and authentication of electronic documents

Documentary flows for commercial transactions in sea and air freight and how EC can be used to simplify and make the process more efficient Open forum discussions/questions/answers relevant to implementation of EC Development of national strategies for extending use of EC to as many trading partners as practicable both within economies and overseas

Processes for establishing trading partners including Trading Partner Agreements for doing business electronically

Requirements for businesses to get set up to trial exchange of EDI messages with trading partners including re-engineering business processes to obtain maximum advantage from operating in an electronic environment

Practical exercises to test the extent to which lectures and presentations have been understood

Required Outcome

Participants will have developed a sound base of knowledge and skills in electronic commerce to enable them to install electronic commerce systems in their businesses and to prepare for trialing messages.

Phase 2 Trials Of Electronic Messages

Requirement

Finalise agreement on what EC messages are to be used by individual participating businesses
Finalise fitting of software for trialing of messages
Commence trialing messages
Resolve problems arising from trials
Outcome

Participants will have trialed the use of a number of electronic commerce messages and experienced the processes involved, including the resolution of problems.

Phase 3 Finalise Trials And Commence Use Of Electronic Messages For Actual Business Transactions

Requirement

Finalise trials of the key electronic commerce messages that individual participants wish to use.

Commence the successful use of electronic commerce messages for actual business transactions and resolve any further difficulties that may arise.

Outcome

Participants will have completed testing the use electronic commerce messages for the transactions required in their particular business.

APPENDIX 2

CONDITIONS OF THIS REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

1. APEC PREFERENCE PROGRAM

It is the policy of APEC to award contracts to firms from Member Economies when this can be done consistent with an expectation of efficient performance of the Contract, at prices no higher than are obtainable elsewhere, and which can be done without restricting competition. If subcontractors are used, the Contractor shall use its best efforts to place subcontracts in accordance with this policy.

2. ASSIGNMENT

Assignment of the Contract or any benefit arising thereunder or any interest therein will be grounds for terminating the Contract at the option of the APEC Secretariat.

3. CHANGES TO SCOPE OF CONTRACT

The terms of the Contract may be varied only by written agreement between the APEC Secretariat and the Contractor.

4. CONTRACTOR LIABILITY FOR PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE

The Contractor indemnifies and holds harmless the APEC Secretariat for loss or damage or injury suffered by any person, however and wherever caused, by the Contractor, its employees, agents and contractors during the performance of the Contract.

5. DEFAULT

5.1. In the event of a Default by the Contractor, the APEC Secretariat shall write to the Contractor setting out the Default. If the Contractor fails to remedy the Default within the time specified in writing by the APEC Secretariat, the APEC Secretariat may forthwith terminate the Contract without prejudice to the rights of any parties accrued to the date of termination.

5.2. A Default means any breach of a condition of the Contract or any substantial breach of a warranty in the Contract, including, but not limited to:

(a) failure to perform the Contract within the agreed time, or

(b) failure to deliver equipment of adequate capability, quality or reliability.

6. DISPUTES

In the event of any dispute concerning the meaning to be given to any term in the Contract, a determination by the APEC Secretariat in writing as to the meaning shall be final and conclusive.

7. EXAMINATION OF RECORDS

The APEC Secretariat, or its designated representative, shall have access to the Contractor's directly relevant books, documents, papers, and other records involving transactions related to the Contract. This access shall commence from the date of signing of the Contract and shall continue for a period of 3 years following the completion of the Contract.

8. RIGHTS IN DATA - GENERAL

The APEC Secretariat shall be deemed the owner of, and shall be deemed to have full rights (including copyright) in all data, regardless of form, format, or media, resulting from performance of the Contract, all data regardless of form, format, or media, used in performing the Contract; all data delivered under the Contract constituting manuals or instructional and training material; all processes delivered or furnished for use under the Contract; and all other data delivered under the Contract.

Subject to the prior written approval of the Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat ("the Executive Director"), the Contractor may have the right to use, release to others, reproduce, distribute, or publish any data first produced or specifically used by the Contractor in the performance of the Contract. For example, the information may be used to promote economic development with any benefits accruing to the originator.

The APEC Secretariat may deliver to the Contractor data necessary for the performance of the Contract. Title to APEC Secretariat furnished data remains with the Secretariat.

The Contractor must use any data which it receives from the APEC Secretariat only in connection with the Contract.

To the extent it receives or is given access to data necessary for the performance of the Contract which contains restrictive markings, the Contractor shall treat the data in accordance with such markings unless otherwise specifically authorised in writing by the Executive Director.

The Contractor shall not disclose any information received or generated under the Contract, unless its release is approved in writing by the Executive Director and shall assert any privilege allowed by law to defend vigorously the APEC Secretariat’s rights to confidentiality.

9. SUSPENSION OF WORK

The Executive Director may, at any time, by written order to the Contractor, suspend all, or any part, of the work, if any, being carried out by the Contractors, its officers, employees, agents or subcontractors, for a period of up to 90 days after the order is delivered to the Contractor, and for any further period as the circumstances may require at the discretion of the Executive Director. Upon receipt of the order, the Contractor shall

immediately comply with its terms and take all reasonable steps to minimise the costs incurred by the stoppage relevant to the work covered by the order. Any associated adjustment to the Contract price and/or time for completion will be negotiated between the Executive Director and the Contractor.

10. TERMINATION FOR CONVENIENCE OF THE SECRETARIAT

The Executive Director, by written notice and without giving any reasons therefor, may terminate this Contract, in whole or in part as he sees fit by issuing a Notice of Termination. If this Contract is terminated, the rights, duties, and obligations of the parties, including compensation to the Contractor, shall be negotiated between the

Executive Director and the Contractor, but in no event shall it exceed the total value of the Contract.

After receipt of a Notice of Termination and except as directed by the Executive Director, the Contractor shall immediately stop work as specified in the notice.

After termination, the Contractor shall submit a final termination settlement proposal to the Executive Director in the form and with the certification prescribed by the Executive Director. If the Contractor fails to submit the termination settlement proposal within the time allowed, the Executive Director may determine, on the basis of information available, the amount, if any, due to the Contractor because of the termination and shall pay the amount so determined.

11. LANGUAGE

All drawings, documents, information, correspondence, test reports and such like items shall be in the English language.

ELECTRONIC COMMERCE
DRAFT COLLECTIVE ACTION PLAN

ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION
TRANSPORTATION WORKING GROUP
FOURTEENTH MEETING – SEOUL, KOREA

OCTOBER 1998

TRANSPORTATION ELECTRONIC COMMERCE
DRAFT COLLECTIVE ACTION PLAN
Submitted by Australia

September 1998

Agenda Item

PURPOSE:

To seek agreement on the draft collective action plan and to agree on cooperative measures which will facilitate the use of electronic commerce in the transportation chain and related trading sectors within APEC BACKGROUND

At its 13th meeting in Mexico City, 20-24 April 1998, the TPT-WG agreed to submit to the SOM Task Force on Electronic Commerce a statement of its contribution to the Leaders work program on electronic commerce. In the statement to the Task Force the TPT-WG undertook to progress several activities. Amongst these activities is the development of a collective action plan to promote the take up of electronic commerce in the transportation and related trading sectors in member economies, a draft of which is to be considered at TPT-WG 14. The purpose of the collective action plan is to identify action priorities, which will provide further impetus to electronic commerce work in the TPT-WG as well as meet the specific needs of economies. It was agreed in Mexico that the collective action plan approach used by the SCCP should be used as the model to develop these action priorities.

In order to obtain information for the development of the Collective Action Plan, Australia invited TPT-WG member economies to provide answers to the following three questions:

1.What is the current state of EC implementation in the customs, quarantine and banking sectors?

2.What can individual economies contribute to the TPT-WG electronic commerce work?

3.What would individual economies like to see the TPT-WG do in electronic commerce?

At the time of preparing this paper, Australia has received responses from seven economies. These responses are summarised in Attachment A. Economies which have yet to respond are still encouraged to submit their input to Australia.

PROPOSED COLLECTIVE ACTION PLAN

In light of comments received and previous issues raised in the TPT-WG, Australia proposes that the TPT-WG consider the following action priorities as part of its Collective Action Plan:

1.Adopt standards for EDI messages, and related implementation guidelines, that are consistent with the "Principles and Rules" developed by the International Transport Implementation Group (ITIGG), which is associated with the UN/EDIFACT system;

2.Extend use of electronic messages for reporting manifest information to Port Authorities throughout all APEC economies;

3.Establish and use bureau services for linking EDI with other simpler and less costly forms of electronic commerce;

4.Examine the feasibility of establishing a "single electronic window" for communication with export inspection authorities on matters related to the export clearance of goods;

5.Remove any legal or institutional requirements for the use of paper documents in the processes associated with international trade and transport (refer to recommendations in Australian paper on 'Requirements for Paper Documents'); and

6.Improve and increase facilities (eg banking) for settling financial transactions by EDI and other electronic means suited to international transport and related trading activities.

The above actions are included in Attachment B as a table, which will need to be completed on the basis of advice from economies. In this regard it is proposed that the task of coordinating and following up individual actions be spread between several economies. Economies, which are willing to nominate for this work, are requested to inform Australia as soon as possible.

The details required to complete the table in Attachment B are expected to be finalised at TPT-WG14.

Cooperation with CTI-SCCP

It is proposed that the TPT-WG consider implementing some of the action priorities in cooperation with the Committee on Trade and Investment's Sub-Committee for Customs Procedures (CTI-SCCP). EDI Message Standards and Removal of Paper Documents are the two key issues that could be progressed jointly with the SCCP. This is in line with the recommendation of the APEC Electronic Commerce Task Force endorsed by SOM and Trade Ministers in June 1998 for continued close coordination between sub-fora for APEC work on electronic commerce.

SCCP Electronic Commerce Developments

In response to Leaders’ directive for an APEC electronic commerce work plan, the SCCP meeting in June 1998 agreed to coordinate its electronic commerce activities and build on work already done. As part of this initiative Australia now coordinates the informal Virtual Customs Group (VCG), made up of interested electronic commerce experts in APEC Customs administrations. The VCG is similar to the TPT-WG e-commerce list. The SCCP is aiming to create a Virtual APEC e-commerce think tank which could be hosted on a single Internet WWW site. The VCG recently conducted a survey on e-commerce implementation and aspirations amongst APEC Customs administrations. Responses received from 13 SCCP members together with information from the TPT-WG were compiled into a Customs e-commerce compendium. The APEC Customs EC Compendium indicates that the SCCP and TPT-WG have similar objectives and requirements based upon common concerns and considerations such as paperless trading, electronic reporting, and international standards. Copies of the relevant SCCP electronic

commerce papers will be distributed to economies at the electronic commerce group meeting on 19 October. Australia would be grateful for any comments economies may have on these papers, in particular, the conclusions to the Overview paper on e-commerce implementation.

COMMENTS ON ACTION PRIORITIES

EDI Message Standards

There is a significant lack of uniformity in the use of standards for EDI messages for customs, quarantine and banking messages. While some comply with the UN/EDIFACT system, many others are propriety in nature. Messages using propriety standards add significantly to the cost of dealing with many trading partners in an international trading environment because users have to install different software in order to comply with the different standards of trading partners.

This issue of EDI standards is expected to be addressed in Phase 1 of the TPT-WG's new electronic commerce project, which has been approved by BAC for TILF funding in 1999 (subject to endorsement by SOM in September and final approval by Ministers in November). The new project also lends itself to possible cooperation between the TPT-WG and the SCCP. Please refer to the summary of the draft request for proposal on page 6 of the

Australian paper "Proposal to Implement Phase 1 of the Proposed New Electronic Commerce Project". The SCCP Program to Implement UN/EDIFACT electronic message standards was approved by BAC in 1996 and is co-managed by Australian and Philippines Customs authorities. The project is aimed at implementing UN/EDIFACT in all APEC Customs administrations by end 1999 and includes training courses and expert missions. Australia is proposing that the two sub-foras look closely at syncronising the TPT-WG project with the SCCP project. This includes both sub-fora working with commonly identified economies (those requiring assistance), customs administrations and business participants.

The following is for information only. TPT-WG member economies should also be aware of the work of the Asia Council for the Facilitation of Procedures, and Practices for Administration, Commerce and Transportation (AFACT). This organisation has recently replaced the Asian EDIFACT Board and is linked to the worldwide system for EDI standards based in Geneva, and known as the Centre for the Facilitation of Procedures, and Practices for Administration, Commerce and Transportation (CEFACT). One of AFACT's terms of reference is to:

develop methods to facilitate transactions, including the relevant use of information technologies such as UN/EDIFACT and Electronic Commerce.

Korea is the Chair Elect for AFACT.

Australia is willing to participate in the work involved in coordinating TPT-WG actions to progress the issue of EDI message standards. Manifest Information for Port Authorities

The use of electronic messages for reporting manifest information to port authorities has the potential to generate significant benefits for shipping companies and the port authorities themselves. Shipping companies can simply draw on the manifest information they already have to prepare for customs clearances and commercial purposes without having to prepare separate paper documents. Port authorities can use the information received by EDI to calculate port charges based on cargo quantities (eg wharfage), and also record relevant information for their own statistical needs covering cargo handled by the port.

The Sydney Ports Corporation has recently introduced a system for the electronic receipt of manifest information. The system will soon be introduced into other major Australian ports. Australia can provide information on this system to TPT-WG economies to assist their consideration of whether such a system would suit the situation in their ports.

E-Form Bureau Services

These services are designed to link EDI with less expensive and sophisticated electronic commerce systems. They are of particular value to small and medium sized enterprises whose volume of transactions may not warrant the installation of EDI. Through bureau services an electronic message can be sent through the Internet on a standardised electronic form (E-Form) to a bureau which then converts the message into an EDI form for onward transmission to other parties fitted with EDI facilities.

This type of service has considerable potential to introduce electronic commerce to a much wider range of businesses on a cost-effective basis. Australia is willing to participate, together with other economies familiar with E-Form bureau services, in researching this issue, providing relevant information to TPT-WG economies and developing relevant recommendations for consideration by the TPT-WG.

"Single Electronic Window" for customs and quarantine communications

There has been a strong push in Australia, mainly from exporters to have a facility established whereby communications covering livestock, agricultural and fish commodities subject to both customs and export inspection clearances could be handled through a single channel. This allows commercial parties to reduce time and money in meeting their reporting requirements as the information required by both customs and quarantine authorities can readily be included in the same message instead of in two separate messages.

A Single Electronic Window (SEW) facility was introduced in Australia in July 1998 to cover meat exports. The facility is scheduled to be extended to dairy products by November 1998 and then progressively to other commodities subject to export inspection. The SEW facility not only benefits exporters but also a number of other parties in the transport chain (eg. Freight forwarders), since the efficient movement of goods depends, to a significant extent, on the existence of an efficient documentary system that can keep ahead of the physical movement of goods.

Australia is willing to participate with other interested economies in further examining this issue and providing relevant information and recommendations to TPT-WG. It is suggested that the TPT-WG seek to pursue this issue in collaboration with the CTI's Sub Committee on Customs Procedures (SCCP) and quarantine authorities.

Removal of Legal And Institutional Requirements For Paper Documents

The following commitments were made by the TPT-WG in its effort to address the issue of requirements for paper documents, which hinders the transition to a paperless trading environment:

At TPT-WG 8 in September 1995

"As soon as practicable within the next ten years, member economies should seek to eliminate the requirement for paper documents (both regulatory and institutional) for the key messages relevant to international sea and air transport and trade."

At TPT-WG12 in September 1997

"TPT-WG members should, where appropriate, approach the relevant portfolios in their own economies for assistance in removing requirements for paper documents covering international trade and transport, where satisfactory facilities for transmitting documents in electronic form can be made available; and "Within the next twelve months, APEC economies should endeavour to prepare a program of actions aimed at removing, as far as practicable but no later than the year 2005, requirements for paper documents (both regulatory and institutional) for the key messages relevant to international sea and air freight."

Australia believes that this is an issue that could best be progressed jointly by the TPT-WG and the SCCP. To this end it is proposed that representatives from the transport and customs sectors in each APEC economy collaborate in developing programs aimed at removing requirements for paper documents. It would be helpful if APEC economies agreed to exchange information on progress made on this matter.

Australia would be willing to undertake the task of collecting and disseminating information concerning the current work being done in Europe to find acceptable arrangements for handling bills of lading in electronic form (BOLERO project).

Other economies may wish to take the lead in researching and reporting on other work outside APEC, which is relevant to the goal of removing requirements for paper documentation. This could include work on the authentication of electronic messages and the development of a model law on electronic commerce (this should include work by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law). Australia would be willing to participate in this work.

Improve And Increase Facilities For Settling Financial Transactions

The provision of efficient electronic commerce systems, such as EDI, for financial transactions is of major importance to improving the efficiency of the documentary processes associated with international trade and transport. In order to improve the information flow and movement of goods across international borders within APEC, it is imperative that we have financial payments systems that are relatively inexpensive for business and are capable of accepting variable payment. Existing financial systems are often slow and expensive.

The importance of integrating payment systems with electronic commerce transactions was raised at the June 1998 meeting of the SOM EC Task Force. The main barrier appears to be trust. There has been some progress in this area. For example, the Imperial Bank in the US issues letters of credit on-line over the Internet; the bank assumes liability for non-payment. Also, a group of leading international conglomerates including General Electric and Electrolux have issued a statement calling on the global banking industry to endorse and implement full financial EDI messaging using the EDIFACT global standard.

The Australian trading community is also pressing for improved electronic banking facilities, including a greater use of the Internet as the medium. At present business to business electronic payments streams all require the use of proprietary bank solutions. The Chase Manhattan Bank recently commenced an Internet financial EDI (FEDI) service with a major Australian retailer. Under this service the retailer sends standard UN/EDIFACT multiple payment instruction messages, called PAYMUL, to Chase, which does the processing and forwards the electronic payment instructions to other banks in an appropriate format, and prints out and posts cheques when required. This is a first in Australia. In addition, the SWIFT network, an international banking network used by all major Australian banks for high value payments, will carry the UN/EDIFACT FINPAY message from October 1998. FINPAY is the financial EDI inter-bank message, which provides the capability for the local Australian banks to exchange

financial EDI messages between themselves.

As financial transactions are an intrinsic part of managing transport transactions, it is recommended that the TPT-WG play a role in placing this issue on the APEC agenda. The issue of improving electronic banking is not being addressed in specific APEC sub-fora. The SOM EC Task Force is proposing to address this issue along with other electronic commerce issues in its matrix of current/potential work in APEC sub-fora.

Australia seeks the views of member economies on how best the TPT-WG could pursue this role. Australia would be willing to participate with other economies to promote the use of electronic banking in the transportation chain within APEC, including the implementation of full financial EDI services using the global UN/EDIFACT message, and the Internet as the medium.

The SCCP is also seeking to extend the use of Electronic Funds Transfer to meet Customs revenue collection needs.

RECOMMENDATIONS

It is recommended that:

1.Economies that have yet to respond to the three questions (under 'Background' on page 2) are encouraged to submit their input as soon as possible.

2.Economies consider and agree on the draft collective action plan as summarised in Attachment B. 3.Economies decide on a feasible activity for each action priority and target date for achievement of the agreed activity.

4.Economies, which are able to contribute their electronic commerce expertise, nominate as coordinator(s) for each action priority.

5.Economies agree that the TPT-WG cooperates with the SCCP, quarantine and banking authorities in implementing the action priorities where appropriate, including cooperation between the TPT-WG and the SCCP in the implementation of the TPT-WG new electronic commerce project.

6.Economies agree that the TPT-WG take on the role of ensuring that electronic banking issues are placed on the APEC agenda and addressed by an appropriate APEC sub-fora.

APEC ELECTRONIC COMMERCE
TASK FORCE ON
ELECTRONIC COMMERCE
ACTIVITIES/WORK BY
APEC SUB-FORA

ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION
TRANSPORTATION WORKING GROUP
FOURTEENTH MEETING – SEOUL, KOREA
OCTOBER 1998
APEC ELECTRONIC COMMERCE TASK FORCE
Submitted by Australia

Agenda Item

PURPOSE:

To report on developments with the SOM Electronic Commerce Task Force work program.

BACKGROUND

At the 13th APEC Transportation Working Group (TPT-WG) in Mexico, it was agreed that the TPT-WG make a contribution to the APEC Electronic Commerce Task Force and that Australia represent the TPT-WG at the Task Force. Following the meeting Australia submitted the statement of contribution including an issues paper on paperless trading. Since then the Task Force has met twice.

2ND TASK FORCE MEETING

The first stage of the Task Force work program concentrated on improving member economies’ understanding of the key issues arising from the increasing use of electronic commerce and its impact on the trade and economic interests of APEC economies. This was primarily through an exchange of views on five key themes:

i.access to the information infrastructure

ii.trust in information systems and electronic transactions

iii.electronic commerce promotion and facilitation

iv.the international regulatory environment, and

v.government and business relationships.

An APEC Electronic Commerce Task Force website www.dfat.gov.au/apec/ecom has been established to assist in the dissemination of discussion papers and to provide a contact point for information about electronic commerce initiatives being undertaken in APEC and in other international organisations, governments and businesses. The website contains issues papers prepared by economies and APEC sub-fora for the first stage.

The first stage of the work program culminated in a roundtable meeting in Kuching, East Malaysia on 12-13 June. The Roundtable was attended by APEC officials, business representatives and representatives from TEL, TPT-WG and PECC. The meeting was organised around the five themes and a substantial exchange of views took place.

APEC officials also discussed the second stage of the work program.

The Task Force reiterated the importance of continued information exchange and agreed to:

a.consider development of possible APEC principles for future work on electronic commerce;

b.exchange information to promote greater public sector use of electronic commerce as a catalyst to wider uptake;

c.identify impediments to electronic commerce in cooperation with relevant APEC sub-fora and other international organisations

d.identify areas for technical cooperation and capacity-building between APEC economies

e.consider the potential for development of joint government-business outreach and training programs, particularly for SMEs

f.identify other areas for further cooperation on electronic commerce in APEC to be pursued by relevant APEC sub-fora.

Other outputs of the meeting included a matrix identifying current electronic commerce work being undertaken by APEC sub-fora as well as potential new areas of work. It was agreed that the work matrix would be finalised at the third Task Force meeting. The meeting also agreed that the US developed a paper on impediments to electronic commerce for consideration at the next meeting, and Australia lead a project for exchange of information and possible technical cooperation on the looming Y2K issue.

The report of the Task Force meeting was later endorsed by SOM and Trade Ministers at their respective meetings. Ministers also reiterated the need for the Task Force to continue to take into account the views of the private sector, differing levels of development in member economies, and the need to avoid duplication in both APEC and international fora.

3rd Meeting of the SOM Electronic Commerce Task Force

The 3rd meeting of the Task Force was held in Singapore on 4 September. Due to resource issues, and the fact that the meeting was to focus on management of the work program in the lead-up to Ministers/Leaders meetings in November, the meeting was for officials only. The meeting discussed:

i.work in progress (Y2K project, impediments and the electronic commerce work matrix)

ii.draft APEC Vision Statement on Electronic Commerce

iii.possible APEC principles/guidelines

iv.future management of APEC electronic commerce work

v.Next steps including recommendations to Leaders in November

Reports on work to date

1.Y2K

The Australian initiated survey is under way and economies are urged to complete the survey before 30 September. Already completed surveys suggest much attention is paid to the problem domestically but not to potential impact across borders. The Task Force proposed that Leaders make an announcement about Y2K and cross-border trade, and announce a major regional Y2K contingency planning experts’ summit to be held in early 1999. This proposal was endorsed by SOM 3.

2.Impediments review

A number of reviews are under way and there is a strong desire to reduce or remove impediments to the uptake of electronic commerce in APEC. Issues of trust, security, technical skills, infrastructure and legislation matters have been identified as impediments. A survey was drafted and economies have been asked to identify any gaps and provide comments by 30 September. The meeting also agreed to take account of a similar OECD impediments survey to ensure comparability of survey results.

3.Review of APEC electronic commerce work

The attached matrix was prepared on all APEC work under way as well as capacity of groups to carry forward future work. This matrix is a development of that produced at the second meeting in June. It demonstrates the need for coordination on electronic commerce issues within APEC, and highlights areas of overlapping work as well as potential gaps.

Future work program

1.Outreach and training (SME focus)

Obstacles and outreach problems for SMEs were identified and a framework for discussing these issues were developed. The meeting agreed to develop a series of SME case studies to encourage SME uptake of electronic commerce. APEC economies were urged to identify and prepare one/two case study example(s) from within their economies preferably by 30 September. The Task Force will consider putting the framework and case studies together in a report as part of the final Task Force product to SOM, Ministers and Leaders.

2.Public Sector Use of Electronic Commerce

The meeting agreed that APEC governments and public sectors should be encouraged to demonstrate the effectiveness and value of electronic commerce by becoming leading edge users of electronic commerce. It was suggested that APEC’s role is perhaps to foster better practice in inter-government activity and government activity affecting cross-border flows (customs, transport, and telecommunications activity are examples).

The meeting also identified the potential for APEC economies to agree to work towards a paperless trading goal within APEC in the interests of more efficient trade operations. One proposal for consideration is for Leaders to endorse work underway to develop paperless systems and agree that in order to capture greater efficiencies for regional trade, APEC economies will work towards adoption of region-wide paperless trading

[by 2005]. This proposal was noted by SOM 3.

3.Technical Cooperation and Capacity Building

The meeting identified the importance of human resource and skills development activity and agreed to follow up with the HRD Working Group to further develop possible APEC training related to electronic commerce, including consideration of virtual seminars. It also agreed to examine the feasibility of a ‘virtual centre’ as a reference base and an extension of the Task Force website.

4.The Task Force noted presentations or written reports from or on behalf of TEL, TPT-WG, SCCP, IPEG and HRD. It also took note of work in progress in ABAC, PECC and PBEC.

The meeting agreed that an APEC Vision Statement and accompanying background report on the work done by the Task Force will be developed for consideration by Ministers and Leaders. The vision statement would incorporate some broad statements and a program for carrying forward work on electronic commerce. Options for the management of future work were also canvassed and will be discussed further with the APEC Secretariat in the context of its work on APEC reform.

The final Task Force meeting is scheduled for mid to late October. ABAC electronic commerce task force representatives will be invited to the meeting.

COMMENT

It is pleasing to note that the Task Force has taken on board some of the TPT-WG's concerns, in particular, the paperless trading issue. The attached Task Force Co-Chair's work matrix may have implications for TPT-WG's electronic commerce work program. The Task Force has requested economy and APEC sub-fora input by 7 October. Economies were requested to convey comments on the matrix, if any, to Australia via the E-Commerce list or fax, by 6 October. Australia will keep abreast of further developments in the Task Force work program and keep economies informed of any impact on the TPT-WG.

RECOMMENDATION

TPT-WG note the developments.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE
TPT-WG WEB SITE

ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION TRANSPORTATION WORKING GROUP (TPT-WG)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE TPT-WG WEB SITE
OCTOBER 1998

Lead Economy: Australia

Background

1.The APEC Transportation Working Group (TPT-WG) agreed at its 13th meeting in April 1998, that Australia, in conjunction with a small group of other interested economies should develop and trial an APEC TPT-WG web site for the 14th TPT-WG meeting. In June 1998 Australia signed a contract with Tradegate ECA for the development and maintenance of the APEC TPT-WG web site over a two year period. The web site was designed in consultation with a small group of interested economies consisting of Korea, Canada, US, Chile, and Japan. Access to the APEC TPT-WG web site has been available since 3 September at: http://www.apectptwg.org.au. The web site has been successfully trialed by members of the small group for registration and submission of papers for the 14th TPT-WG meeting.

Objectives

2.In developing a TPT-WG web site the objectives were to:

Provide efficient electronic communication
Minimise costs of TPT-WG meetings
Promote paperless communication
Link TPT-WG’s work to other internet sites.
Promote timely intersessional work on TPT-WG projects

3.These objectives have been advanced through providing facilities on the TPT-WG web site that allows member economies to:

Distribute papers for meetings
Access papers from previous meetings
Advise progress on current projects
Advise the outcomes of completed projects
Complete timely intersessional work through the use of the list server

Current features of the web site

4.The web site has been structured to enable those who are unfamiliar with the functions of APEC TPT-WG to navigate the site and access relevant documents quickly and easily. The web site has been designed primarily as a working web site to enable APEC economies to conduct intersessional work. Some of its features include:

Registration facility where individuals from member economies can register for the next TPT-WG meeting.

Contacts page, with contact details of the APEC Secretariat, Lead Shepherd and Deputy Lead Shepherd, Steering Committee leaders and heads of delegation.  Archive facility where papers from previous meetings can be accessed.  Details of projects currently being undertaken by expert/project groups including project proposals, progress reports and tender documentation.  List of related sites according to relevant expert/project groups.   List server facility where APEC expert/project groups may establish a mailing list for use by group members to conduct intersessional work.

List of APEC TPT-WG publications.

Issues

How to use the web site

5.The structural development of the web site is now complete. However, in order for member economies to fully realise the benefits of the TPT-WG web site, they need to utilise the features described above. All APEC member economies should be informed as to how they might access the site and fully utilise its features.

6.A presentation on the TPT-WG web site will be made during Plenary to explain some of the features of the web site and to encourage APEC economies to access the site. Demonstrations of the web site will be held during lunch and afternoon tea breaks at TPT-WG 14.

Registration

7.Following the development of the web site, member economies had the opportunity to register their

attendance electronically at TPT-WG 14. Both Australia and Canada registered their attendance electronically. All economies are encouraged to register their attendance electronically for TPT-WG 15 in

Chile. To facilitate this objective, it is proposed that at least four economies in addition to Australia and Canada make a commitment to register their attendance at TPT-WG 15 through the web site.

Intersessional work

8.The list server facility was established to facilitate intersessional work to be carried out by expert/project groups between TPT-WG meetings. This facility operates in a similar way to a prescribed email list. When one member of the list sends an email all members receive it at the same time. This facility allows each member of the list to receive comments on a draft paper from another member simultaneously. The benefit of the list server is that you only have to address your email to one internet address and not several. There are currently two mailing lists in operation, the web site small group list and the electronic commerce small list. This is a useful comunication tool to progress issues before meetings.

9.The web site small group list was established to facilitate the development of the web site prior to TPT-WG

14. Discussions between members of the small group regarding the development of the web site were carried out on the list server. Economies who chair expert/project groups are encouraged to use the list server facility to undertake work between meetings of the TPT-WG. To establish a list, economies which chair an expert/project group need to submit a list of group members containing their email addresses to the list administrator at majordomo@connect.com.au. Economies have not used this facility extensively to date and are encouraged to use this facility to provide timely comments on draft papers and ask questions about the progress of projects.

10.The Experts Group on Maritime Safety is currently establishing a list to conduct intersessional work. Other expert/project groups which may benefit from using this facility would be the Port Experts Group, Intermodal Task Force and Year 2000 Problem: Air Traffic Control and Airport Systems.

11.Member economies may also wish to consider additional mechanisms for promoting and explaining the benefits of using the TPT-WG web site to others. Responsibility for completing the web site

13.Currently, the web site is partially complete with the basic structure in place. Leaders of project/expert groups and steering committees are now required to complete their respective pages by submitting papers and relevant information to the web site administrator. This may include a short explanation of the purpose/objective of the expert/project group, details of the draft agenda for the next meeting, a report of the last meeting and any papers discussed, draft papers and final papers to be considered at the next TPT-WG meeting. In order to complete the web site, member economies should also submit relevant papers they have completed to the web site administrator.

The web site small group

13.The web site small group should consider making a commitment to place all of their papers on the web site for the next TPT-WG meeting. Members of the small group chair some of the expert/project groups and are encouraged to submit information/papers that complete their respective sites. A list of the project/expert groups and the economies which chair them is provided at Attachment A. This will provide an example to other member economies of how useful the web site can be for accessing and submitting information as well as encouraging other economies to use the web site to submit papers.

Further improvements to the web site

14.In order to make further improvements to the functionality of the web site, the following issues should be considered and discussed by member economies. While it is acknowledged that the development of the web site is a dynamic process, it is necessary in order to maximise the benefits of the web site to determine how the web site should be developed in the future.

15.Member economies might consider some of the following issues, to be discussed at TPT-WG 14 and provide their comments to Australia. Comments through the list server facility are preferred. Economies which are currently not part of the web site small group should subscribe to the list by providing their email addresses to Australia.

16.Issues to be considered by member economies include:

a.Functionality and design

The web site should be easily navigated by both those who are familiar with TPT-WG and by those with no knowledge of the functions of TPT-WG. Although the web site has been designed to meet this objective, member economies may have other suggestions to improve the functionality of the web site. The web site should be conducive to member economies being able to access information quickly and easily to facilitate intersessional

work on TPT-WG projects.

b.Registration procedure

Registration forms should be easy to complete and the host economy should be able to obtain all necessary information from the completed forms.

Did member economies find the registration procedure difficult to understand or follow?

Were the registration forms appropriate and easy to complete? Were there too many forms to fill in?

Did the host economy find the electronic registration procedure useful when organising the meeting and are there any suggestions for improvement?

c.Submitting papers to the web site administrator

The procedure for submitting papers to the web site administrator should be able to be completed quickly and easily. Instructions on how to submit papers have been included on the web site. When submitting papers the head of delegation or economy coordinator must send a completed submission form together with the papers to be put on the web site. The submission form tells the web site administrator where to place the papers on the web site. Did member economies experience any difficulty with submitting papers and are they willing to use this process for submitting papers in the future?

d.The use of the list server facility

Although there are currently two lists in operation, these have not been used extensively. The leaders of expert/project groups are responsible for establishing a list server facility for their respective project/expert groups. Australia is interested in receiving comments from existing subscribers on the use of the lists. Do member economies want to restrict subscription to the list to government officials, or should industry representatives also be included where appropriate?

Survey on the use of the web site

17.As part of the continuing development process, Australia in consultation with the web site small group, proposes to develop a survey to determine how the site can be improved in the future. The survey would provide an opportunity for member economies to determine how useful the site is, what features most assist member economies in progressing APEC TPT-WG work, and any possible omissions from the site.

18.There are a number of issues which economies need to consider about the future development of the web site. The survey would be prepared by Australia in consultation with the web site small group and distributed to all APEC member economies by the end of November 1998. Responses from APEC economies would be required by end of January 1999. A draft report of the results would be prepared by Australia in consultation with the web site small group by mid-February 1998 and comments on the draft paper from other member economies would be requested by end of February 1998. A final report will be submitted for consideration at TPT-WG 15.

Recommended action

19.That APEC member economies

a.Consider mechanisms for future development of the web site.

b.Undertake to electronically register attendance for TPT-WG 15 (at least four economies).

c.Submit papers/information relevant to respective expert/project group pages to the web site administrator prior to TPT-WG 15 as described in Attachment A.

d.Make effective use of the list server facility in undertaking intersessional work. Japan (Port Experts Group), USA (Intermodal Task Force, and Singapore (Year 2000 Problem) may consider using the list server to undertake intersessional work for their projects and report progress to TPT-WG 15.

e.Discuss the issues raised in this paper at TPT-WG 14 and provide comment to Australia through the list by 27 November 1998.

f.Electronic Commerce member economies to subscribe to the web site small group list server.

g.Respond to a survey on the effectiveness of the web site to be prepared by Australia in consultation with the web site small group.

8.Report the results of the survey to TPT-WG 15.

Attachment A

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