Toward E-Development in Asia and the Pacific: A Strategic Approach for Information and Communication Technology

Abstract

One of the most persistent criticisms of open markets and free trade is that they increase the gap between developed and developing countries. The rapid emergence of the Internet economy is giving this argument new impetus. Many fear that the Internet will worsen the gap between rich and poor countries. The inequality debate has taken a new turn with an increasing focus on the digital divide, the gap between “information rich” and “information poor” countries.