United Nations Conference on trade and Development (UNCTAD) launched Monday an ICT Policy Review to assist Egypt in developing its national e-commerce strategy. The policy was launched at the request of Egyptian Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) with the support from MasterCard. The ICT Policy Review will conduct a comprehensive assessment and diagnostic of the current status of e-commerce in Egypt on the basis of several fact finding missions, interviews with government officials, consultations with key stakeholders, desk research and surveys. It provides advisory services and technical assistance on e-commerce and ICT development at the request of governments. UNCTAD will collaborate with the World Bank on the e-payment component of the e-commerce strategy. According to a press statement released by UNCTAD, communication minister Yasser El-Kady welcomed UNCTAD's first fact-finding mission and highlighted the urgency and importance of developing a national e-commerce strategy. El-Kady stated that "raising technological literacy and awareness of e-commerce among the Egyptian population was an important aim" the statement added. In its 2012-2017 National ICT Plan, MCIT committed to increasing the volume of e-commerce by 20 per cent as it has long recognized ICTs as enablers of national economic and social development and as a tool for strengthening the country's competitiveness. UNCTAD is mandated to promote trade in developing countries, and serves as a focal point within the United Nations on issues of science, technology and innovation for development. In this context, it assists countries in reaping greater development gains from ICTs through trade.
