APDIP overview on promoting ICT usage among SMEs

The Role of Governments in Promoting ICT Access and Use by SMEs: Considerations for Public Policy The potential benefits of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are well known. ICTs enhance SME efficiency, reduce costs, and broaden market reach, both locally and globally. However, SMEs face several barriers preventing them from implementing or maintaining ICT business solutions. As SMEs play a major role in national economies, governments have an interest in the promotion of access to and use of ICTs by SMEs. This APDIP e-note provides an overview of the policy considerations that are needed to promote ICT usage among SMEs. It discusses critical components for a comprehensive policy and legislative strategy that would address the various policy, legal, market, technical and social considerations needed in order to create conditions conductive for encouraging ICT-enabled SMEs. APDIP e-Notes are brief snapshots that present analyses of specific issues related to ICTs for sustainable human development in the Asia-Pacific region. This online series introduces readers to the who, what, where, why and how of a wide range of current issues related to ICTs such as Internet governance, ICTs and poverty reduction, e- governance, free and open source software, and many others. APDIP or the Asia-Pacific Development Information Programme is an initiative of the United Nations Development Programme that aims to promote the development and application of information and communications technology for sustainable human development in the Asia-Pacific region. Download APDIP e-Note 12 from http://www.apdip.net/apdipenote/12.pdf All APDIP e-Notes are available at http://www.apdip.net/apdipenote/ All APDIP e-Resources are available at http://www.apdip.net/elibrary/ By: Gigo Alampay, Executive Director, The Center for Art, New Ventures & Sustainable Development

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