E-Commerce Bill for House today; Cyber Crimes law next
October 31, 2006
THE e-Transaction Bill which is expected to usher Jamaica into the modern era of -commerce, is to be tabled in the House of Representatives today.
It will represent the first in a series of regulatory measures being introduced by the government to provide a structured platform for the future development of electronic business.
"We have a tremendous asset that can be used by everybody in almost every situation. It is an asset that has the potential to bring us to a new age of prosperity, if we use it well and wisely," said minister of industry, technology, energy and commerce, Phillip Paulwell.
The proposed new legislation will facilitate Internet transactions, ensure the protection of intellectual property rights and pave the way for the establishment of an institution to authenticate electronic signatures, he recently told the Jamaica Computer Society's annual conference, Biztech Forum 2006, at the Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort & Spa in Ocho Rios.
After many years, there was consensus on the e-Transaction legislation, and this would be followed shortly by the Cyber Crimes Law, the minister added.
He said the revised Telecommunications Policy was also being finalised and would provide for the institution of one regulator under which the functions of agencies such as the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) and the Spectrum Management Authority were being merged. Other initiatives highlighted by the minister included a series of consultations to address Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) and universal service.
To this end, he said the e-Government agenda had to enable citizens "to eliminate unnecessary intermediaries and wasteful information collection, speed up service delivery and transform the way public sector organisations operate"....
Author: Observer Reporter
Source: Jamaica Observer
