Minister of Telecommunications Dr Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri convened the national e-commerce law conference in Midrand this morning, commenting that the good attendance was a clear indication of an industry resolve to take the e-commerce legislation process to its conclusion.
In her keynote address, the minister restated government`s intent to address specific issues, such as universal access and the validity of electronic signatures, to pave the way for further e-commerce legislation.
Matsepe-Casaburri also emphasized the need for government to prepare itself for involvement in the SADC region and Africa at large, in terms of advising and guiding other African countries in their efforts to cement legislation pertaining to the Internet and e-commerce.
She cautioned that the sector cannot grow in the midst of poverty, war and disease, and encouraged conference participants to remain heedful of the need for socio-economic development.
"We need to bridge the digital and knowledge divide... if SA can succeed, it [provides] encouragement that the entire continent can succeed."
The conference kicked off with an overview of the submissions received in response to the launch of the E-Commerce Green Paper, released in November last year. In general, industry recommendation fell between a free market approach with almost no legislation, to a more conservative approach that suggested heavy regulation of the sector.
Director-general of the Department of Communications, Andile Ngcaba, presented a draft outline of the Bill. As Matsepe-Casaburri pointed out in the press conference that followed, the urgency of the issue means that government will bypass the White Paper process and on the strength of the outcome of this two-day conference, proceed directly to the legislative process.
The conference objective is to summarise industry and stakeholders` final recommendations by 5pm on 21 April. A final Bill is expected by the end of the year.
For further information, contact the department at (012) 427-8000, or mail francis@doc.pwv.gov.za.
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