On behalf of the Government of Canada I would like to welcome you to the OECD conference, "A Borderless World: Realising the Potential of Global Electronic Commerce.".
The Nation’s Capital is proud to host this key international event that builds on the results of previous OECD business and consumer conferences held in Paris, France, Turku, Finland, and the European Ministerial Conference held in Bonn, Germany. The Ottawa conference will give us the opportunity to further the major policy issues surrounding electronic commerce and ensure the strong growth and development of global electronic commerce.
The Ottawa conference marks the first time ministers from all 29 OECD member countries will meet in Canada. The Ottawa conference is also a first on a number of other fronts; the first to bring together international trade, law, intellectual property and taxation organisations, the first time government, business and NGO leaders will have a true dialogue in shaping electronic commerce policy and the first time that a major private sector technology showcase will be held in conjunction with an OECD Ministerial meeting.
In a borderless world, no one country holds the answers to the pressing issues surrounding electronic commerce, and that is why we have come together as a global community to find solutions to the unique challenges of conducting business electronically.
The evolution of electronic commerce depends on our collective determination to ensure the development of global electronic commerce.
I believe the government and industry, in cooperation with labour, consumers and other interested parties can reach common under-standings that will help build a confident, secure and predictable electronic commerce environment.
Canada commits itself to working together with its global partners in this endeavour. We look forward to beginning that work here and now with you in Ottawa.
John Manley
Minister of Industry