October 21, 2021
Introduction
The purpose of the session was to discuss the positive impact of the online shift of government services that have taken place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The session was focused to explore the new ways through which more numbers of developing nations can shift to the digital practices of providing necessary governmental services. Moreover, the speakers also highlighted some real experiences of developing countries concerning the digital shift of government services.
Session Highlights
The Panellists discussed the importance of digitalisation of government services where they highlighted the importance of No-code development tools that simplifies the registration process for the investors and businesses. Moreover, panellists also discussed the experiences of different countries in terms of benefits they received from the e-Strategy, easy facilitation of business and financial transactions which became simple and cost effective. Also, they spoke about the support that some countries have got from UNCTAD in terms of simplification of registration works. An integrated licensing system helps in seamless business registration process for medium and small enterprises in the future.
The Panellists also discussed the impacts of digitalisation of trade processes on the environment concerning less movement of people. In terms of government initiatives, Trade Information Portal was highlighted which created transparency in the trade related process. The importance of the Single window document system was also pointed in terms of simplifying the complex process of doing trade. With digitalisation of the trade process, a substantial increase in the number of Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) has been seen and it’s about creating impactful services through good governance. Also, it will enable a system that connects different parts of government in no time across international borders. Towards the end of the session, panellists concluded with a memorandum of understanding between United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) to accelerate the rollout of digital government worldwide.
Opening
- Frank Grozel, Chief, Digital Government Programme, UNCTAD
On the panel were:
- Tandin Tshering, Director of Cottage Industries, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Bhutan
- Jane Musyoki, Trade Information Portal and Facilitation Value Add Services Practitioner, Kenya Trade Network Agency
- Laurent Gangbes, Director General, Agence pour la promotion des investissements et des exportations, Benin
- David Roos, Deputy Head of the Sector Programme Digital Development, GIZ
- Jonathan Ortmanns, Global Entrepreneurship Network
- Alex Mejia, Director, Division for People and Social Inclusion, United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)
- Frank Grozel, Chief, Digital Government Programme, UNCTAD