International Development

The E-Commerce Branch promotes the use of e-commerce as an enabler to trade in a global environment. The Branch carries out this mandate through:

• Multilateral trade fora -- such as the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas (FTAA) to enable global e-Commerce and remove impediments to trade;
• Bilateral trade agreements -- such as the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) to facilitate trade with our key partners; and
• Private sector organizations -- to harmonize policy frameworks and regulations, and promote the Canadian approach.

In conjunction with key partners, the E-Commerce Branch has developed an international policy framework to promote ICTs for Development. The Branch is the focal point in Industry Canada for this work and related policy issues.