Note: Information requested in this section is to be provided by the CSP after consultation with the banking and financial sectors (local banking institutions who need to be associated in this project) to provide the following information about the services they provide to the local business community.

Secure electronic payment systems form an important component of the infrastructure and services needed for electronic commerce. Implementation of secure network payment infrastructure and services require some services from the local banks and financial institutions. Typically, for online retailing, card-based payments are used. This includes credit, debit and corporate purchasing cards.

As previously explained in the section for business requirements, the target consumer-base or business partner for the first phase of the ECDC Project are the industrialized countries (export market) where there is strong Internet penetration and widespread use and availability of network payment solutions. As more businesses in developing countries use electronic commerce, it will stimulate the development of the local ICT infrastructure, raise awareness, create more ISPs, increase the penetration of Internet services and also the availability of network payment services provided by the local banks.

Acquiring Banks

An acquiring bank is a financial institution (part of the credit card associations) that provides services to businesses who want to accept credit cards as a payment option. Indicate if there are any acquiring banks in the region or country and provide the names of the acquiring banks and the services provided.

Card Brands

Indicate what types of card brands (e.g. VISA, American Express, Diners and JCB) are accepted by local businesses. This information shall also be provided by the local businesses in the section for Business Requirements (Section A) and could be obtained from the local banks and financial institutions.

MOTO Contracts

A MOTO (Mail Order/Telephone Order) contract enables businesses to sell goods or services to credit card holders without the need for either the cardholder or the card to be present. MOTO contracts are also used to sell products via the telephone, fax, television or other forms of distance selling services. Provide the names of local and foreign financial institutions issuing MOTO contracts to local businesses and provide a brief description of any such services.

SET Contracts

Secure Electronic Transaction (SET) is a card-based payment protocol where all parties in the transaction are authenticated (show proof of identity). Provide information on any local and foreign banks participating or intend to participate in any SET pilot projects with local businesses. If possible, provide the status of the bank SET project (date when pilot will begin, its duration and the scope – number of businesses that will participate in the pilot) and plans after the pilot phase.

Payment Processing

If there are local businesses that have signed contracts with foreign or local acquiring banks for accepting credit cards, indicate if there is any network connection (open or proprietary) between the local business site and the acquiring bank for transmitting and processing credit card data.

Protocol and Hardware

If network payment services are provided, indicate the type of computer hardware used by the local business, the network and communication protocol used to submit and process payment at the local or foreign acquiring bank’s computers.

Non-Credit Card Based Payments

Indicate if any local and/or foreign banks provide other forms of electronic payments to the local business community. Please include the names of the banks and the type of electronic payment services provided. (Examples: Automated ClearingHouse (ACH) payments, Credit transfer (giro), Wire Transfer, Electronic Checks, Debit cards or other forms of payments).

Banking Networks

Provide the names of local banks or other financial institutions that have network connections to the international financial networks. Include the type of network (public or proprietary) and the protocol used (if the connection is via a public network such as the Internet).

SWIFT Membership

The Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Transactions (SWIFT) is a co-operative made up of more than 5600 banks in 151 countries. Its purpose is to create standards for international financial transactions and also to provides a network to facilitate communication between banks. Provide the names of the local banks interested in this project that are part of the SWIFT network or are using SWIFT services.

TradeCard Membership

Provide the names of any local banks that use TradeCard services for payments or use EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) messages for transmitting payment instructions. Indicate if any of them uses any proprietary networks (such as General Electric Information Services – GEIS, IBM VANs or others).

Circulation of Foreign Currencies

Are in the region or country any government regulations restricting transfer of foreign currencies in and out of the region or country?