IfG.CC - The Institute for eGovernment

Despite the expansion of the fourth generation (4G) telecom network, Bangladesh has scored low among digital societies in the Asia Pacific region, according to a global report.

It said Bangladesh outperformed only Pakistan among 11 nations studied in the report styled as 'Digital societies in Asia Pacific: Accelerating progress through collaboration' prepared by the GSMA.

Data protection is emerging as a major hurdle in the push towards building a paperless and efficient cross-border supply chain with widespread reluctance by parties involved to share their information.

Asia-Pacific trade is increasing and economies have become more interdependent and better connected, but the transport of cargo across many borders remains a complex and inefficient process, with customs clearance in many states even identified as a barrier to trade.

The development of stronger, more integrated digital economies in the Asia-Pacific region will be the focus of the APEC Ministerial Meeting on Telecommunications and Information (TEL) on 7-8 August 2012 in St Petersburg, Russia.

APEC Ministers will consider actions and proposals put forward by APEC senior telecommunications officials who concluded their strategic and technical meeting here on Monday. The goal is to advance practical policies that improve confidence in information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure across APEC economies.