There have traditionally been two kinds of trade barriers. One natural consisting of time and space. The other was political including customs, tariffs, import quotas, and so on. As B2B eliminates all the natural barriers, it will be legal and political barriers and the associated paperwork-based processes that are most likely to keep worldwide trade from reaching its higher potential. In conclusion, it is important to note that the growth of B2B has been driven by companies that have been willing to challenge conventional business models.
Companies can simultaneously be partners and allies on one hand, and competitors on the other.
They can be investors, suppliers, and customers, all at the same time. I would hope that some element of this could begin to enter our arrangements with government. Government, too, has core competencies. In the work before this committee, it is clear that the Government is on a path toward a progressive view of B2B and B2G eCommerce. On behalf of Ariba, we are again honored to provide you with some of our perspective on this historic opportunity for government and business to collaborate on ideas that will advance the next industrial revol ution.