Second dialogue on Sri Lanka e-commerce reforms opens on 6 September

Wednesday, 5 September 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

PPD builds on March’s first successful dialogue
‘Important platform’ – Rishad
‘Using collective expertise to advance Sri Lankan framework’ – EU’s Hess

The second national Public-Private Dialogue (PPD) on Sri Lanka’s E-Commerce Reform, backed by Geneva’s International Trade Centre (ITC) will open on 6 September in Colombo. The PPD is a part of the EU-Sri Lanka Trade Related Assistance project, worth EUR 8 million funded by the European Union (2016-2020).

Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen welcomed the second PPD. “We are planning to establish a modern consumer protection framework suitable for e-commerce marketplace and encourage the development of Sri Lankan digital economy by improving access to the internet emphasising education and awareness of the digital economy removing legal and market barriers as well as fostering trust among both Sri Lankan consumers and SMEs,” said Minister Bathiudeen.

Head of Cooperation of the Delegation of the European Union Frank Hess said: “The second Public-Private Dialogue is an important platform for bringing together key people and agencies to use collective expertise in continuing the advancement of the Sri Lankan legal framework for e-commerce, and more importantly to contribute to the growth of the Sri Lankan economy.”

Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) and the Geneva-based International Trade Centre (ITC)’s national Public-Private Dialogue (PPD) titled “A Roadmap for E-Commerce Reform” will take place on 6-7 September. The PPD will build on the outcomes of the first dialogue, which took place from 15-16 March, and on the recommendations made to improve the Sri Lankan E-Commerce marketplace.

The Dialogue, which will be attended by the Minister Bathiudeen, and European Union Delegation’s Frank Hess, aims to discuss the five key areas identified i.e. access, education, awareness, payments and modernisation of consumer protection laws and privacy, in the roadmap for future reforms. It will also provide an overview of international best practices in these five areas, an opportunity for the lead organisations in each of the five areas to discuss future courses of action – including a legislative/regulatory gap analysis of existing laws – discuss the way forward in crafting legislative proposals that will update national laws and provide an opportunity for the private sector to participate in the reform process. The PPD shall bring together key stakeholders such as the Ministries of Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure, Industry and Commerce, the Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka, University of Colombo, Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, and the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka.

The PPD will take place in the Lower Crystal Ballroom at the Taj Samudra hotel. Serious private sector stakeholders can contact CAA 0117755465.