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25 Sep 2000

Hi Dr. Ecommerce,

I would like to know if there is there any relation between government and ecommerce? If yes then how can ecommerce help to government?

Thanks and regards,

Pratik

Dear Pratik:

Yes there is a relation. In addition to business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce, there are also business-to-government, consumer-to-government and government-to-consumer e-commerce.

Governments can, and some do, put their procurement processes on line, allowing private companies to bid for calls to tender via the Internet. This can greatly reduce the administrative costs of government procurement and allow a larger number of companies to bid.

Secondly, governments do sell some things - for example some publications, surplus supplies and property, licences, etc. Many of these items can be sold or auctioned off on-line, again saving government administrative costs.

Finally, governments can use e-commerce types of processes for online interactions which are not financial transactions. Allowing citizens to vote, submit applications, register for services etc via secure online forms can simplify government process considerably.

In the near future, we will probably see smartcard IDs and passports which carry electronic information about citizens. Visas will be obtained electronically, often by filling in forms and submitting payment online. Customs and immigration officials will swipe passports in their computers to check up on visas and compare travellers' data against their undesirable people list.

All the best,

Dr. Ecommerce

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