posted on 2024-09-06, 06:57authored byK. J. Joseph, Govindan Parayil
This article reflects on the effectiveness of trade liberalization, as
envisaged in the Information Technology Agreement (ITA) of the WTO,
for promoting ICT use and production in developing countries. Based
on empirical evidence on global exports of ITA goods, and the
performance of different groups of ITA member countries and nonmember
countries a case has been made for complementing trade
liberalization with capacity building so that ITA becomes more attractive
to developing countries as an additional strategy to bridge the digital
divide. It has also been argued that substantial capabilities in ICT
production and use have been developed over the years by select
developing countries, which provide fresh opportunities for new ICT
policy for social and economic development. Against this background
the article makes the case for an e-South Framework Agreement that
facilitates the harnessing of southern capabilities through building new
system of ICT innovation, as a complement to ongoing North-South
initiatives, inter alia involving trade liberalization along with capacity
building to promote ICT use and production in developing countries.
Key Words: Trade liberalisation, Digital Divide, Information
Technology Agreement, WTO
JEL Classification: F 13, L 86, F 53
History
Publisher
Centre for Development Studies
Citation
Joseph, K.J. & Govindan Parayil (2006) Trade liberalization and digital divide : an analysis of the Information Technology Agreement of WTO. CDS working papers, no.381. Trivandrum: CDS.