The ICT and E-Business Branch of UNCTAD works to measure ICT in enterprises and the ICT sector through:
- Data collection and database development
- Technical assistance
- Research and analysis
This work contributes to the implementation of the outcome of the World Summit on the Information Society, which called for indicators to measure the digital divide, and for strengthening the statistical capacity of developing countries.
Data collection and database development
Since 2004, UNCTAD collects statistical data from developing countries on the use of ICT by enterprises and on the ICT-related producing sector through an annual survey. The questionnaire is based on the core list of ICT indicators.
Results from the annual survey feed into an UNCTAD database, along with publicly available data from other international organizations, such as OECD and Eurostat. The data supports UNCTAD research and analysis, and is published in the annual Information Economy Report.
Technical assistance
UNCTAD provides technical assistance to developing countries on the measurement of ICT in business and the ICT sector. Our activities focus on:
- Raising the awareness of Governments about the importance of ICT statistics for monitoring policies and assessing their impact;
- Assisting National Statistical Offices in preparing their data collection and dissemination;
- Organizing expert meetings, and conducting training and technical workshops for practitioners in developing countries to exchange experiences and discuss analytical, methodological, and dissemination issues (see Events page);
- Developing training material, guidelines, and other technical documentation on the collection of indicators and statistics. UNCTAD's first Manual for the Production of Statistics on the Information Economy was published in November 2007.
Developing countries that would like to receive technical assistance on ICT measurement should send an email to emeasurement@unctad.org.
Research and analysis
UNCTAD is actively involved in international efforts to define and harmonize ICT indicators, and to develop survey vehicles and model questions, through the Partnership on Measuring ICT for Development.
UNCTAD also contributes to the implementation of the outcome of the World Summit on the Information Society, which called for periodic evaluation based on appropriate indicators and benchmarking, and using an agreed methodology and statistics to monitor the information society.
UNCTAD analyses trends and developments in the access to, use and impact of ICTs in developing countries. It looks at e-commerce, e-business, the impact of ICT on productivity, international trade in ICT goods and services, and the ICT-related producing sector, among other things.
UNCTAD's research is published in the annual Information Economy Report. It is also presented through papers and documents at various events.
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