The Government of Jamaica, through the Ministry of Energy, Mining and Telecommuni-cations, placed major emphasis on promoting e-transactions, as part of the effort to transform Jamaica into a digital society and drive national development.

In keeping with this focus, the Ministry recently launched a public education programme to inform the public of the rights, responsibilities and benefits that obtain under the Electronic Transactions Act, and to stimulate interest in e-transaction within the business sector.

The programme, which will promote public confidence in the integrity and reliability of electronic documents and electronic transactions, will use radio, television and print media, focus groups and regional meetings across the island to sensitize the public.

The E-Transaction Act, which came into effect on April 2, 2007, sets out the legal framework for electronic business transactions in Jamaica.

Also, five of the island's post offices were selected to introduce a range of commercial and e-transaction services under a new pilot initiative. The post offices are Santa Cruz, Christiana, May Pen, Darliston and Port Antonio.

Energy, Mining and Telecommunications, Minister Mullings said that the Post and Telecommunications Department has introduced a range of new commercial and agency services aimed at leveraging customers' demand for e-transactions services. Electronic business services for the collection, distribution and clearance of items through a Miami warehouse, as well as door to door pick-up and mail courier services within the corporate area, will soon come on stream.