|
|
|
|
|
| E-commerce development in rural and remote areas of BRICS countries |
| Karine HAJI |
Institute for International Economics and Finance, Russian Foreign Trade Academy, Moscow 119285, Russia
|
|
|
|
|
Abstract E-commerce plays an essential role in modern trade today. It is expected that e-commerce volume amounted to 29 trillion USD in the world in 2017, and would grow with the spread of the Internet and information and communication technologies (ICTs). Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS), together with many others, consider e-commerce a means to facilitate rapid, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, improving the living standards and alleviating poverty. This article examines areas for potential cooperation by BRICS countries in e-commerce development across rural and remote areas to fight poverty. It analyses the current state of e-commerce development in rural and remote areas in each of the BRICS countries, including cases of public and private initiatives to support it. The article also defines the opportunities which e-commerce brings to people living in rural and remote areas. Moreover, it evaluates the existing challenges and risks. The article concludes that despite the rapid e-commerce development in BRICS countries, and significant opportunities created, there are still issues of disproportionate e-commerce in varied regions and the lack of BRICS cooperation in this sphere. Based on a comparative and normative in-depth, systematic analysis, the article develops a set of recommendations for deepening BRICS countries’ cooperation in the following areas: infrastructure in rural and remote regions; education; consumer protection; online dispute resolution; coordinated policy in the international scene, including representation of BRICS countries in international indexes, such as the Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Digital Services Trade Restrictiveness Index (STRI).
|
|
Received: 25 April 2020
Accepted:
|
| Fund: The article was written on the basis of the Russian Foreign Trade Academy assigned research programme. |
|
Corresponding Authors:
Correspondence Karine HAJI, E-mail: k.khadzhi@vavt.ru
|
Cite this article:
Karine HAJI.
2021.
E-commerce development in rural and remote areas of BRICS countries. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 20(4): 979-997.
|
Ali Research. 2017. Inclusive growth and e-commerce: China’s experience. [2020-09-30]. https://unctad.org/meetings/en/Contribution/dtl_eWeek2017c11-aliresearch_en.pdf
Ali Research, Nanjing University, China Academy for Rural Development, China Academy of Social Studies. 2019. Digital Economy Revitalizes Rural China. China Taobao Research Report (2009–2019). p. 11. [2020-09-30]. https://arc-quan-hangzhou.oss-cn-hangzhou.aliyuncs.com/aliresearch/2020-03-16/0feecb91f2ef456cb67c32e5e73e8904/China%20Taobao%20Village%20Report-Digital%20Economy%20Revitalizes%20Rural%20China%20.pdf
Audenhove V L. 2003. Towards an Integrated Information Society Policy in South Africa: An Overview of Political Rhetoric and Policy Initiatives 1994–2000. Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) Publishers, South Africa. p. 34.
B2W Digital. 2020. 4Q19 and 2019 results. [2020-09-30]. https://static.b2wdigital.com/upload/apresentacoes/00003353.pdf
Bhurat C. 2019. BRICS nations and financial inclusion: A comparative study of the BRICS nations using various financial inclusion indicators. IISES International Academic Conference, London. 21 May, 2019. [2020-09-30]. https://ideas.repec.org/p/sek/iacpro/9011574.html#:~:text=The%20BRICS%20nations%20have%20been,compare%20data%20of%20these%20countries
Bi J, Nie F, Gu R, Zhu H, Chen K, Maru A. 2019. Rural poor, e-commerce and poverty reduction in China. In: Poverty Alleviation through E-commerce Training and Workshop. 23–27 July, 2019, Beijing, China.
BRICS Information Centre. 2014. The 4th Meeting of the BRICS Trade Ministers: Joint Communique. [2020-09-30]. http://www.brics.utoronto.ca/docs/140714-trade.html
BRICS Information Centre. 2015a. Framework for BRICS E-commerce Cooperation. [2020-09-30]. http://www.brics-info.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Ecommerce-cooperation.pdf
BRICS Information Centre. 2015b. The Strategy for BRICS Economic Partnership. [2020-09-30]. http://www.brics. utoronto.ca/docs/140714-trade.html
BRICS Information Centre. 2016. Joint Declaration of BRICS Ministers of Agriculture. [2020-09-30]. http://www.brics.utoronto.ca/docs/160923-agriculture.html
BRICS Information Centre. 2017. BRICS Leaders Xiamen Declaration. [2020-09-30]. http://www.brics.utoronto.ca/docs/170904-xiamen.html
BRICS Information Centre. 2019. Bonito Declaration of the BRICS Ministers of Agriculture. [2020-09-30]. http://brics.utoronto.ca/docs/190926-agriculture.html
Clement J. 2018. BRIC retail e-commerce sales 2016-2023. Statista. [2020-09-30]. https://www.statista.com/statistics/255268/bric-b2c-e-commerce-sales/
Clement J. 2019. Retail e-commerce sales growth worldwide 2014–2023. [2020-09-30]. https://www.statista.com/statistics/288487/forecast-of-global-b2c-e-commerce-growt/
Data Insight. 2018. Internet commerce in Russia 2018. [2020-09-30]. http://datainsight.ru/sites/default/files/DI-RIF2018.pdf (in Russian)
Data Insight. 2019. Internet commerce in Russia 2019. [2020-09-30]. http://datainsight.ru/sites/default/files/DI_Ecommerce2019.pdf (in Russian)
Data Insight. 2020. B2C export of goods through the internet. [2020-09-30]. https://datainsight.ru/sites/default/files/DI_eBay_Export2020.pdf (in Russian)
Detercon International. 2013. Republic of South Africa Review Report E-commerce, Cybercrime and Cybersecurity - Status, Gaps and the Road Ahead. p. 383.
Ecommerce Foundation. 2018. 2018 Africa Ecommerce Report. [2020-09-30]. https://www.ecommercewiki.org/reports/767/africa-ecommerce-report-2018-free/download
Ecommerce Foundation. 2019a. E-commerce Report Brazil 2019. [2020-09-30]. https://www.ecommercewiki.org/reports/806/ecommerce-report-brazil-2019
Ecommerce Foundation. 2019b. E-commerce Report India 2019. [2020-09-30]. https://www.ecommercewiki.org/reports/821/ecommerce-report-india-2019
Ecommerce Foundation. 2019c. E-commerce Report Russia 2019. [2020-09-30]. https://www.ecommercewiki.org/reports/803/ecommerce-report-russia-2019
FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations). 2019a. Digital Technologies in Agriculture and Rural Areas. Status Report. [2020-09-30]. http://www.fao.org/3/ca4985en/ca4985en.pdf
FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations). 2019b. The state of food security and nutrition in the world. Safeguarding against economic slowdowns and downturns. [2020-09-30]. http://www.fao.org/state-of-food-security-nutrition/en/
Georgiou M N. 2009. E-commerce has a positive impact on economic growth: A panel data analysis for Western Europe. [2020-09-30]. https://ssrn.com/abstract=1484687
He W, Xu Y. 2018. Cross-border electronic commerce development present situation and the innovation research in China. American Journal of Industrial and Business Management, 8, 1825–1842.
Holmberg S. 2016. E-commerce in Sub-Saharan Africa: overcoming barriers to succeed in an online environment. A Study on E-Commerce Smes in Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and Uganda. Copenhagen Business School, Denmark. p. 80. [2020-09-30]. https://research-api.cbs.dk/ws/portalfiles/portal/58442372/sara_holmberg.pdf
IBEF (India Brand Equity Foundation). 2019. Indian E-commerce Industry Report 2019. [2020-09-30]. https://www.ibef.org/download/E-Commerce-December-2019.pdf
IMD (International Institute for Management Development). 2019. World Talent Ranking 2019. [2020-09-30]. https://www.imd.org/wcc/world-competitiveness-center-rankings/world-talent-ranking-2019/
IMD (International Institute for Management Development). 2020. Digital Competitiveness Index 2020. [2020-09-30]. https://www.imd.org/globalassets/wcc/docs/release-2020/digital/digital_2020.pdf
ITC (International Trade Centre), UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization). 2018. Status, opportunities and challenges of BRICS e-commerce. [2020-09-30]. https://www.intracen.org/uploadedFiles/intracenorg/Content/Publications/BRICS%20E-commerce%20_Status%20Opportunities%20and%20Challenges_22AUG2017_final(1).pdf
IWS (Internet World Stats). 2020. IWS database. [2020-09-30]. https://www.internetworldstats.com/
JD.com. 2019. Corporate Social Responsibility Report. p. 22. [2020-09-30]. https://corporate.jd.com/static/pdf/Corporate%20Social%20Responsibility%20Report.pdf
Johri L, Kumar R. 2019. Women empowerment & rural development programs. In: SCO and CICA Poverty Alleviation Through E-commerce Training and Workshop. 23–27 July, 2019, Beijing, China.
Lipsmane A. 2019. Global ecommerce 2019. Ecommerce continues strong gains amid global economic uncertainty. [2020-09-30]. https://www.emarketer.com/content/global-ecommerce-2019
Luo X. 2019. E-commerce development in China. Employment creation and welfare improvement. In: SCO and CICA Poverty Alleviation through E-commerce Training and Workshop. 23–27 July, 2019, Beijing, China.
Mercado Libre Inc. 2019. Sustainability Report 2019. The Entrepreneurial Effect. [2020-09-30]. https://mercadolibre.gcs-web.com/static-files/b53a5aac-62a8-4977-bd27-f2def0c256fb
Mikhosi P. 2017. National report on e-commerce development in South Africa. Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development Working Paper Series 18/2017, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). p. 29.
Min L. 2019. The development of rural e-commerce in China: Focusing on agricultural products. In: SCO and CICA Poverty Alleviation through E-commerce Training and Workshop. 23–27 July, 2019, Beijing, China.
Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation. 2018. The 8th Meeting of the BRICS Trade Ministers Joint Communique. [2020-09-30]. https://www.economy.gov.ru/material/file/9557f9863a560c3383b397f18c7e357c/BRICS_Communique_2018.docx
Nie F. 2019. Digital agriculture in China. In: SCO and CICA Poverty Alleviation through E-commerce Training and Workshop. 23–27 July, 2019, Beijing, China.
Rogatnyh E B, Asadullina A V, Ahmadulina T V, Belchuk S A, Bartenev S A, Starostina U Y, Tkachenko I B. 2018. Digital economy and electronic trade in BRICS countries: Collective monography. Russian Foreign Trade Academy. p. 160. [2020-09-30]. https://lib.vavt.ru/MegaPro/Download/MObject
Ruspekh. 2018. The results of the federal state unitary enterprise The Russian Post in 2017. [2020-09-30]. https://ruspekh.ru/news/itogi-deyatelnosti-fgup-pochta-rossii-za-2017-god (in Russian)
Ryzhkov R. 2018. The Russian post speeded up its express. Russian express mail service entered the global TOP-5. Kommersant. No. 143. [2020-09-30]. https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/3712652 (in Russian)
San Andres E A, Singh S K, Kai J A. 2018. Development and Integration of Remote Areas in the APEC Region. APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Policy Unit, Singapore. p. 56.
SASS (Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences), UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization). 2018. E-commerce development report of the small and medium sized enterprises of BRICS countries. [2020-09-30]. https://www.unido.org/sites/default/files/files/2018-07/E-commerce%20Development%20Report%20(SASS)_09072018.pdf.
SASS (Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences), UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organisation). 2019. BRICS Plus E-commerce Development Report in 2018. p. 179. [2020-09-30]. https://www.unido.org/sites/default/files/files/2019-10/BRICS_Plus_E-Commerce_Development_Report_in_2018.pdf
Shashlo N, Astrakhantseva A. 2018. Policy and practice of provision food security of country participants of the union of BRICS. Azimuth of Scientific Research: Economics and Administration, 7, 329–333. (in Russian)
Sicat M. 2016. E-commerce for rural development: Global trends. UNCTAD e-Commerce Week, 18–22 April 2016. [2020-09-30]. https://unctad.org/en/pages/MeetingDetails.aspx?meetingid=1068
SLHRRRUC (The School of Labor and Human Resources Research, Renmin University of China). 2019. Measurement of employment opportunities derived from alibaba retail platform and a study on platform employment system. p. 45. [2020-09-30]. http://www.aliresearch.com/en/Reports/Reportsdetails?articleCode=21831
State Council. 2015a. Guiding Opinions to Promote Healthy and Rapid Development of Cross-Border E-commerce. [2020-09-30]. https://www.chinalawupdate.cn/wp-content/uploads/sites/206/2015/06/E-Commerce-guidelines.pdf
State Council. 2015b. Opinions of the State Council on Vigorous Development of E-Commerce to Accelerate Development of New Economic Driving Force. [2020-09-30]. http://www.lawinfochina.com/display.aspx?id=26877&lib=law
State Council. 2016. China issues Internet Plus Circulation action plan. [2021-02-22]. http://english.www.gov.cn/policies/latest_releases/2016/04/21/content_281475332242277.htm
Statista. 2020. eCommerce: South Africa. [2020-09-30]. https://www.statista.com/outlook/243/112/ecommerce/south-africa
Tang W, Zhu J. 2020. Informality and rural industry: Rethinking the impacts of e-commerce on rural development in China. Journal of Rural Studies, 75, 20–29.
The India Post. 2020. Annual Report 2019–2020. [2020-09-30]. https://www.indiapost.gov.in/VAS/DOP_PDFFiles/AnnualReportEng2019_20.pdf
The Russian Post. 2019. Report on Financial and Operating Performance the Federal State Unitary Enterprise “The Russian Post” in 2018. p. 53. (in Russian)
Torres R. 2019. Brazilian electronic commerce association (ABComm) estimates 16% growth in e-commerce sales in Brazil. [2020-09-30]. https://www.conversion.com.br/en/-blog/ecommerce-growth-brazil/
UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development). 2019. Digital Economy Report 2019. [2020-09-30]. https://unctad.org/en/pages/PublicationWebflyer.aspx?publicationid=2466
USITO (United States Information Technology Office). 2015. State Council Provides Guidance on the “Internet Plus Action” Plan. [2020-09-30]. http://www.usito.org/news/state-council-provides-guidance-internet-plus-action-plan
Wang A, Khan M S. 2019. Comparison based on practice: E-commerce entrepreneurship training for Chinese villagers, undergraduates and Pakistani students. In: Poverty Alleviation through E-commerce Training and Workshop. 23–27 July, 2019, Beijing, China.
World Wide Worx. 2018. Online retail reaches 1.4% of South Africa’s total retail. [2020-09-30]. http://www.worldwideworx.com/onlineretail2019/
Yan S. 2019. From the land to the table: Establishing trust through socialization. In: SCO and CICA Poverty Alleviation through E-commerce Training and Workshop. 23–27 July 2019, Beijing, China.
Yu H. 2019. China’s e-commerce: Empowering rural women? In: SCO and CICA Poverty Alleviation through E-commerce Training and Workshop. 23–27 July, 2019, Beijing, China.
Zhou D. 2019. Cross-border e-commerce training and international alliance of innovation farm school. In: SCO and CICA Poverty Alleviation through E-commerce Training and Workshop. 23–27 July, 2019, Beijing, China.
|
| No Suggested Reading articles found! |
|
|
Viewed |
|
|
|
Full text
|
|
|
|
|
Abstract
|
|
|
|
|
Cited |
|
|
|
|
| |
Shared |
|
|
|
|
| |
Discussed |
|
|
|
|
