The new system, which will feature a new security system, will allow the payment of bills and taxes, and is a centrepiece of Government's new e-governance programme that promotes the conduct of business online.

The programme is costing US$23 million, of which US$17 million is in the form of a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The Jamaican Government and other stakeholders will be contributing the other US$6 million.

APPROVED BY PARLIAMENT

"The Electronic Transactions Policy which has the Electronic Transactions Act as one of its components has been developed and has been approved by Parliament," said Patrick Gordon, projects manager in the Ministry of Commerce, Science and Technology.

"The Act will facilitate e-governance, trade, and the legality of transactions via the Internet. E-governance will enable Jamaicans to check their tax balances, pay property taxes, NIS, and income tax on-line," said Mr. Gordon.

It will also govern the legality of these transactions by stipulating general legal guidelines for electronic commerce. The Trade Board will have an oversight role, specifically in relation to security of transactions.

"In Jamaica, the law and its regulations will facilitate Jamaicans charging and receiving payments on-line," said Mr. Gordon.

"The Trade Board will be the overseer of the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) encryption system in Jamaica that is intended to protect e-commerce clients and supervise various entities involved in the process."

Jean Morgan, Trade Administrator at the Trade Board, said Monday that the PKI would include the implementation of a Registration and Certification Authority to ensure the confidentiality of user information via consumers, businesses, and industry.

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