In addition to the OECD's Emerging Market Economy Forum (EMEF) on e-commerce, the Gulf Emirate of Dubai has also hosted the G8 Digital Opportunities Task (DOT) Force conference.
The Dot.force initiative was set up in July of last year by the G8 and it was created to tackle the 'digital divide', an increasing problem of IT knowledge deficiency between industrialised and developing countries.
The issue of the digital divide was discussed at the OECD/EMEF e-commerce forum, the conclusions of which came to the fore at the ensuing Dot.force conference, which took place on Wednesday. The delegates made suggestions for ways to help less-favoured countries take full advantage of information and communication technology (ICT). Among other things, they called for awareness-building exercises involving senior government officials, for government-backed venture capital funds to support ICT initiatives, for publicity for successful pilot projects that can serve as examples to others, and for tax incentives to encourage ICT companies to expand their operations.
Their suggestions will form part of a report providing recommendations for policy and action by Dot.force which will be submitted to G8 leaders for their Genoa summit next July. Bruno Lanvin, a World Bank official who heads the Dot.force secretariat, said the consultation had helped to 'enrich and deepen' the organisation's analysis as it prepares for the 'short and punchily worded' report.
In explaining the reasons for Dubai's recent popularity, Mohammed Al Gergawi, chairman of Dubai Internet City, said: 'Dubai is being recognised globally as a centre of excellence. Its leading regional role in adopting the New Economy has generated interest worldwide. That is why we are being sought to hold meetings of such importance. Apart from that, our reputation as hosts with wonderful conference and convention facilities and excellent infrastructure, all help in bringing world views to Dubai and through it to the region.'
At the conclusion of the Dot.force event, OECD deputy secretary-general, Sally Shelton Colby, said: 'We have been very impressed with what we have learned about what individual governments, civil society organisations and individual firms are doing in their own countries, the challenge is how to build on what is currently being done and on experience of what is successful and what is not.'
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