OTTAWA, June 27, 2005 -- The Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry, today signed the Framework of Common Principles for Electronic Commerce with his respective counterparts, USA Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez, and Mexico's Secretary of the Economy, Fernando Canales Clariond.
The Framework will contribute to strengthening the Internet as a reliable medium for conducting business, building confidence in the online marketplace, and streamlining the flow of e-commerce at the border. As a result of this agreement, trilateral cooperation is foreseen most notably on such important issues as spam, electronic authentication and certification, privacy protection, as well as border practices and procedures.
"We are proud of having achieved consensus with our continental neighbours on a very complex issue. Participants share a common goal in developing a North American online marketplace through increased transborder e-commerce and digital trade," said Minister Emerson. "Electronic commerce is key to economic growth and international trade for our countries."
A predictable and secure online environment will foster the adoption of Internet-based business solutions. Increased online sales from business-to-business will result in reducing costs and delays for producers and result in potential economic gain in domestic markets and for cross-border trade.
The Framework was developed by the tripartite working group on E-Commerce and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). The agreement is a concrete deliverable that builds on the momentum created by the Security and Prosperity Partnership announced on March 23, 2005 by the Prime Minister, President Bush and President Fox. It demonstrates a firm commitment to further cooperation between the three countries in our mutual interests in security, prosperity and quality of life.
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For more information on the Framework, please visit: http://www.ic.gc.ca/cmb/welcomeic.nsf/ICPages/SpecialReports
For more information, please contact:
Christiane Fox
Office of the Honourable David L. Emerson
Minister of Industry
(613) 995-9001
Media Relations
Industry Canada
(613) 943-2502
