Many such estimates have often been accompanied by very rosy projections of up to ten-fold growth over the next few years. Official data from national statistical offices appear more realistic. But despite the promise of borderless trade, most e-commerce is still national or within continents. This brings us back to the question of what e-commerce actually is and why it is important. To define e-commerce it is essential to identify the transactions on the one hand and the electronic networks being used on the other.
Most definitions refer to the sale or purchase of goods or services over the Internet.
This is the OECD s preferred narrow definition. However, an accurate estimate of the value of e-commerce may have to include activities such as gathering information, payment, online delivery, and other processes related to development, production and delivery of goods and services. But perhaps a more important reason is Internet access, which remains uneven. It would be wrong to think that all non-OECD countries have low access rates. In the United States, data from the National Retail Federation and Forrester, a market research firm, show that in October 2000 the main consumer items purchased were air tickets, computer hardware, hotel reservations, apparel and consumer electronics.