Transport Logistics

iv) Need for harmonisation and co-operation

Since ICT and e-commerce developments are of a global nature, openness and inter-operability of

information systems are vital for the penetration of services and systems. International organisations

(such as the EU, OECD, WTO, ISO and UNCTAD) have a key role to play in providing governments

with a co-operative framework to achieve the integration and harmonisation of policy actions for

implementing infrastructure-dependent technologies. In this way, such organisations may seek to

avoid the creation of technical barriers to trade and logistics efficiency.

However, the broad menu of possible applications in this technological area is so unpredictable

that the menu of applications cannot be fully predetermined. Thus the trend towards standardisation

will be towards broad, functional standards that can be applied more easily in diverse contexts, rather

than rigid, inflexible standards.

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In promoting standardisation, advanced countries should provide technical support to countries

that are still in the process of modernising their information systems and developing third party

logistics and virtual logistics chain systems.