Isle of Man Appoints Legal Firm To Further Its E-Commerce Strategy

by Jason Gorringe, Tax-news.com, London

04 January 2001

In yet another step towards its goal of achieving supremacy in the e-commerce arena, the Isle of Man has appointed a legal firm to advise the government on its e-commerce strategy. A team led by David Sherlock of Cains the Advocates is set to work closely with the Isle of Man's e-commerce envoy Tim Craine, after emerging victorious from a government tender for the role, which saw six organisations making submissions.

Mr Craine said of the appointment of Cains: 'The development of a more detailed strategy document is a logical follow-on from the high level e-commerce strategy review carried out earlier in the year by Charteris. The Charteris Report provided the government with a position statement, relating to the Isle of Man’s position in comparison with its competitors and also provided suggestions on ways in which the Isle of Man Government’s e-commerce “product” could be further enhanced.'

He continued: 'This new strategy document will provide further detail on government’s strategy in relation to a whole range of issues affecting e-commerce, such as government’s strategy in relation to telecommunications regulation, financial assistance, education and training, tax incentives and so on. The exercise will also help to highlight any areas where there are existing gaps or overlaps and where new or enhanced initiatives are required.'

The newly-appointed team are to set about their task virtually immediately. The e-commerce committee will meet next week to set out how the strategy should be progressed. There will be consultation with government departments to see if existing e-commerce strategies can be adopted or improved to ensure uniformity across government. There will also be input from the private sector.

Cains' Mr Sherlock said the strategy was critical to the future success of the Isle of Man in the field of e-commerce, which he declared would be as essential a part of the business world in five years time as the telephone is today. He commented: 'We are delighted to have been selected to assist Tim [Craine] in this important phase of the implementation of the government’s drive to make the Isle of Man one of the most advanced e-societies in the world. We have a great opportunity to achieve this objective and Cains is committed to the allocation of such resources as may be necessary to fulfil its agreed role. Whilst the project is challenging, it is exciting to be closely involved with one of the most important infrastructural projects being undertaken in the Isle of Man at the present time.'

Mr Craine added: 'When published, the new detailed strategy document will provide an essential reference document to e-commerce, start-up and relocation businesses who need to know what government’s policy is across a range of issues relating to e-commerce.'

It is expected that the e-commerce strategy will be updated on a regular basis, deemed necessary by Mr Craine due to the fast-moving pace of e-business.

Chief Minister Donald Gelling, who has been closely involving in the Isle of Man's e-commerce drive, has high hopes riding on the work of newly-appointed legal firm. He said: 'I believe the appointment of Cains to assist in this exercise is a further demonstration of the growing expertise in the Island in the area of e-commerce and I believe this latest initiative will further demonstrate government’s commitment to remain proactive in the area of e-commerce in order to ensure that the Island stays at the forefront of competitive offshore jurisdictions.'

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