Slides of my presentation during the Digital Media Conference Aruba (August 27th, 2013) organized by the University of Aruba and Colegio EPI.

1. Edward M. Erasmus, MA
University of Aruba, August 27th, 2013
Developing a
National e-Commerce Strategy
Catalyzing economic transformations for consumers,
commerce and governance

2. • e-Revolution
• e-Reality (how are we doing?)
• e-Commerce Strategy
• e-Opportunities (where’s the beef?)
• e-Takeaways

3. Commercialization of the
Internet (1990s)
• Revolutionizing every aspect of
our daily lives….

4. Impact on commerce

5. Impact on culture

6. Impact on culture

7. Impact on culture
40% of kids polled said they’d rather
give up their summer vacation than
their mobile devices for a month?
Source: ABC News (June 2013)

8. Impact on culture
The amount of time Americans spend
consuming digital media is set to
eclipse the amount of time spent
watching television for the first time
this year.
Source: eMarketer (August 2013)

9. Impact on culture

10. In one minute…
• 650 Terabytes of data move across global IP
networks.
• Smartphone and social networking application
usage comprise much of that data tidal wave.
• 204 million emails are sent.
• 1.3 million videos are viewed on YouTube
• 277,000 people login to Facebook.
• 100,000 Tweets are sent.
• $83,000 in sales are racked up at Amazon.
source:

12. Part of every aspect of our livers

13. Disrupting markets and business
models

15. Digital Revolution…

16. Aruba: e-Reality
(state of e-Commerce)

17. Aruba: State of e-Commerce
• E-steering Committee (final report, August 2000).
• Objective: to make recommendations to the
government to promote e-commerce on Aruba.
• Recommendations: legal and fiscal issues,
technical and infrastructure issues, banking and
security issues, logistical issues, organization,
training and educational issues.
• Quick decision-making and implementation was
crucial.

18. Aruba: State of e-Commerce
• Unfortunately not much has happened since the
publication of the e-Steering Committee Report.
• So much has changed globally.
• Priority: update report to help boost online
commercial opportunities for local businesses.

19. But it’s not all bad…

25. The perfect storm…

26. World without borders….

27. Digital technology…
• Interact on a global scale
• Gather information
• Collaborate, develop and
create

28. We can achieve way more…

29. -Strategy

30. Repositioning Aruba…
• Tap into global business opportunities
for internet-related transactions.
• Improve online growth possibilities for
local businesses.

31. To become a ‘leading’ e-commerce center in
the Caribbean region through the
exploitation of our information technology
capacity and the creativity of our people
Vision

32. • Exploiting the strengths and the opportunities of
the ICT sector.
• Enhancing business performance and
international trade.
• Introducing e-government for the benefit of the
whole community.

33. Hurdles to overcome
• Online payment system
• E-Commerce regulations
• Intellectual property

34. Online payment system

35. Online payment system
• E-commerce transactions are only
possible if supported by an affordable
and reliable payment system.

36. E-commerce regulations
• Adopting policies, laws and incentives
that focus on promoting trust and
confidence among e-commerce
participants.
• Developing a national framework that is
compatible with international norms on
e-commerce.

37. E-commerce regulations
• Electronic signature
• Legal recognition of e-commerce
transactions
• Consumer protection from fraud
• Protection of consumers’ right to privacy

38. Intellectual property regulations
• Protecting the rights of those who create
original works.
• Encourage new technologies, artistic
expressions and inventions while promoting
economic growth.
• Increase trustworthiness.

39. Intellectual property regulations

40. e-Opportunities

41. WHAT IF I TOLD YOU
WE ARE MISSING OUT ON SO MANY
eCOMMERCE OPPORTUNITIES

43. E-Government
• e-Procurement
• Customs clearance
• Tax administration
• Request for documents
• Etc., etc.

44. Enhancing tourism-related services
• Tourism receipts Afl. 2.5 billion (1/3 is
paid in advance)
• Reservations: hotels/apartments, car
rentals, tour services, etc.

45. Green gateway
Positioning Aruba as a strategic (e-)hub for European
businesses doing business in Latin America

46. Green gateway
• Intermediation services
• Logistics and freight
• Financial services
• Knowledge centers

47. • Exclusive made in Aruba merchandise
• Digital market place
• Going global
Boosting our SME sector

51. Crowdfunding

54. E-Charity

56. e-Takeaways

57. Takeaways…
• Time to ‘carpe diem’
• So much we can already do!
• e-Commerce regulations: we can do way
more
• e-Opportunities within different sectors
• Be creative/innovative
• Think global!

60. Edward M. Erasmus, MA
e.erasmus@fzanv.com
edward.erasmus@ua.aw
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Blog: http://edwardmerasmus.wordpress.com