Of course it is important to EDS, but it is also important to society. I feel that the work of the OECD is important in this effort. There are three areas of electronic business policy which are critical to realizing and maximizing the potential of electronic business. Organizations such as the OECD needs to address them all in varying degrees. The first area is the underlying telecommunications infrastructure.
Electronic business depends on efficient, accessible and affordable telecommunications.
In my view, the best means of achieving such an infrastructure is through a competitive, global telecommunications environment. The successful conclusion of the WTO Negotiations on Basic Telecommunications Services was an important step in this direction, and I commend the OECD for their years of work in developing the environment to make that Agreement possible. We are not finished, however. Governments must be vigilant in implementing their commitments. I was very happy to see the Background Paper on the infrastructure developed for this Conference, and I congratulate you on it.