ADDIS ABABA – The preparation of the National E-Commerce Strategy document would help to enhance the national development program and create competitiveness at the international level, Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh said.
The Deputy Premier made the above remark while opening the input gathering forum that the Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration (MoTRI) held with stakeholders on the draft document of the National E-Commerce Strategy on Monday.
Speaking at the occasion, Temesegen noted that among various significances, the strategy document would bring ample benefits in creating jobs, increasing foreign currency earnings, and ensuring and sustaining international competitiveness and development.
The government is making various legal reforms to expand the business environment and modernize the market system. Therefore, the e-document not merely signifies competitiveness but also a huge role in facilitating the ambition of Digital Ethiopia 2025. “Unfortunately, the community has not gained the desired benefits from the sector due to lack of adequate e-commerce legal framework at the national level during the past over many years.”
He further stated that the strategic document is part of Digital Ethiopia whilst it is expected more activities among stakeholders for its remarkable achievement.
MoTRI Minister Gebremeskel Chala (PhD) on his part said that the strategy document is designed based on the Digital Ethiopia 2025 plan and considering the national, regional, and global situations.
According to Gebremeskel, e-commerce allows businesses to connect with consumers online regardless of time and space, facilitate local trade and empower entrepreneurs everywhere. In addition, the strategy is instrumental to modernize domestic transactions, facilitate export trade and create a strong logistics system using e-commerce.
It was learned that the Ministry of Innovation and Technology (MiNT) and MoTRI jointly prepared the strategy while Tony Blair Institute is the technical and financial supporter.
In the forum, Deputy PM Temesgen Tiruneh, MoTRI Minister Gebremeskel Chala (PhD), MiNT Minister Belete Molla (PhD) and other senior government officials as well as the private sector representatives were in attendance.
BY MESERET BEHAILU
The Ethiopian Herald May 1/2024
