Committees formed to draft law, monitor e-commerce

The Ministry of Commerce has formed two committees to take steps for drafting a new law and establish an authority to protect the e-commerce sector and restore order in there.

Both the committees, consisting of 16 members each, were formed Monday, according to an office order signed by Muhammad Syed Ali, deputy secretary (Digital Commerce Cell) of the commerce ministry.

One of the committees is formed to draft a law and to found a regulatory body to keep the country’s growing e-commerce sector in order. AHM Shafiquzzaman, additional secretary (Import & Internal Trade Wing) of the ministry, will lead the committee and Muhammad Syed Ali will act as its member-secretary.

Meanwhile, a technical committee is also formed to address all activities regarding digital commerce, including business operation, dissatisfaction of consumers and sellers over transactions, and technological issues. The head of the Digital Commerce Cell under the commerce ministry is made the convener of this committee.

According to the order, the committee for drafting the law will function in four areas. It has been ordered to make recommendations for the resolution of issues in the digital commerce sector within the next 15 days.

Besides, the committee will have to formulate a draft law capable to help properly operate and control the sector within the next two months.

It will also have to design the structure and framework of a strong regulatory body for the e-commerce sector within the same time frame.

The technical committee, on the other hand, will make recommendations to the commerce ministry about the sector from time to time. It will also hold meetings once a month.

However, the committee has been given the authority to co-opt any official from any ministry as a member, if needed.