ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION
TRANSPORTATION WORKING GROUP

FIFTHTEENTH MEETING – SANTIAGO, CHILE

APRIL 1999

Submitted by Australia
March 1999

AGENDA ITEM :

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

Background

At its 14^th meeting in October 1998, the TPT-WG agreed that, subject to final funding approval, actions be taken to implement Phase 1 of the project. The final funding approval for Phase 1 (US$ 67,000) was given in November 1998.

Phase 1 is a stand-alone education and awareness project. However, it is hoped that a significant number of participants in Phase 1 will participate in Phases 2 and 3 in the event that they are funded.

We expect participants in Phase 1 to include staff in both government and private businesses involved with the international movement of sea and air freight, and with a basic understanding of relevant documentary requirements and the use of computers.

The objectives of Phase 1 are 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.

Current Situation

On 18 January 1999 the APEC Secretariat circulated the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Electronic Commerce Project - Phase 1 (TPT 01/99T), to TPT WG contact points. Economies wishing to nominate a contractor were asked to select and submit one proposal to the APEC Secretariat by 24 March 1999.

At the time of writing this progress report (25 March 1999) the Project Overseer (Ms Joanne Blackburn of Australia) was aware that Australia and Canada had submitted one nomination each. These nominations, together with any others received by the APEC Secretariat, are expected to be circulated to the Steering Committee late in March. The selection of the most suitable tenderer will be undertaken by the Project Steering Committee electronically with the successful tenderer to be announced at the Santiago meeting.

To date the Project Overseer has been informed that five economies (Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Philippines, and Peoples Republic of China) have confirmed their participation in the project. The original project proposal was for training to be delivered in up to 8 economies. It is possible for another three economies to participate and we would welcome further nominations to participate in the project. Economies considering participation might wish to speak to delegates from the five economies which have already nominated to confirm the resource requirements for participation. Economies still wishing to participate should make their nomination to the project overseer by 10 May 1999.

Project Steering Committee

The Steering Committee for this project comprises Ms Joanne Blackburn (Australia), Mr Cahyono Partawijaya (Indonesia) and Mr James Goh (USA).

Proposed Timetable

Final details concerning dates for delivering the courses will need to be arranged in consultation with the local coordinators in participating economies. The following is a tentative timetable.

1. Sign Contract with successful tenderer 17 May 1999

2. Submit course details for approval by Steering Committee7 June 1999

3. Deliver Courses to Indonesia (Jakarta), Singapore

and Hong Kong June/July 1999

4. Deliver courses to China (Beijing); and Philippines (Manila)August/Sept. 1999

5. If required deliver courses to another three APEC economiesOct/Nov 1999

6. Final Report from consultantDecember 1999

7. Publication of Report by APEC SecretariatDecember 1999

Recommendation

It is recommended that the above progress report be noted and that any economies still wishing to participate in the project make their nomination as soon as possible, and before 10 May 1999 to the project overseer.

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