The Australian Government launched its $4.5million funding assistance in 2019 on the E-commerce Aid for Trade through its Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for Pacific Island Countries. Kiribati through the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives (MCIC) received AUD $483,980.00 of financial support from the Government of Australia to implement the project of “Strengthening stakeholder engagement in E-Commerce in Kiribati”
The project has three components which are: promotion of digital business operations; website redesign of the Kiribati Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and the Establishment of National Online Marketplace/App.
The project’s duration is for a one-year period, starting from September 2020 and ending in September 2021. The project is being implemented by the MCIC in close collaboration with important stakeholders like the KCCI and others, with guidance from DT Global, the Technical Working Group and the national Trade Advisory Committee (NTAC) as the Project Steering Committee.
The project’s outputs will create more jobs, reduce inequality by generating income for Outer Island Communities, increasing economic opportunities for the Private Sector or the Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to participate in the Digital Economy and overcome market barriers and to connect businesses with consumers and vise-versa. The project is also expected to change the perception of Internet use to a more profitable venture not only for the business community but the public at large.
On behalf of the Government of Kiribati, Minister for Commerce, Industries and Cooperatives, Honorable Minister Bootii Nauan conveyed his sincerest gratitude to the Government and the People of Australia for supporting the ‘steppingstone’ for Kiribati in transitioning towards digital business operations.
