Home

About Us

Management Structure

Activities

Publications

Contact Us

B2B Strategy & Guideline

Ref: ED/01/03

RURAL – URBAN PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMME
(NEP/01/020)

Strategy and Guideline of B2B E-Commerce

Kathmandu
April, 2003

Table of Contents

Chapter I

Strategy to Promote B2B E-Commerce

1.1 Background

In order to promote use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in poverty alleviation, RUPP has developed B2B e-commerce web site and launched at Pokhara by the Pokhara CCI. Similarly, this web site will be launched in other partner municipalities and further increase coverage in rural market centers wherever rural Tele-center can be established. The B2B e-commerce web site can be used as a tool to promote regional market linkages and expand business activities.

1.2 Strategy

Adopting RUPP model and process, RUP section/unit of the municipality has been promoting linkage enterprises both in urban and rural market centers through urban community mobilization process. EDP process proved effective both in urban and rural market center (RMC) to promote rural – urban linkage enterprises. Further more, the regional linkages have to be promoted between two or more market zones by promoting regional linkage enterprises. Hence, B2B e-commerce web site could be an effective tool and needs to promote by incorporating it into the urban community mobilization process. Following strategies would help to promote B2B e-commerce web site in the municipality and RMCs.

1.2.1 Acquire Information / knowledge on B2B e-commerce web site:

• Acquire/study B2B e-commerce web site leaf-let.
• Share/discuss among SO-staffs (in SO-staff meeting) to understand B2B e-commerce.
• Open/demonstrate/ visit B2B e-commerce web site to SO-staffs to be familiar on web site
• Acquire and go through the B2B e-commerce web site printed page.

1.2.2 Disseminate/Share Information on B2B e-commerce web site:

• Share information on B2B e-commerce web site with municipality authorities/concern staffs.
• Get consensus B2B e-commerce activities by the municipality.
• Awareness creation /Dissemination of information about B2B e-commerce web site at TLOs.
  • Dissemination of information about B2B e-commerce web site at TLO meeting.
  • Distribute B2B e-commerce leaf-let to every household through TLO.
  • Carry out B2B e-commerce awareness generating activities by mobilizing university students/ students of computer training institute/cyber café/NGO/INGOs
  • Help/facilitate TLO to organize B2B awareness activities.
• Provide information on B2B e-commerce web site to the linkage enterprises (seller & buyers).

1.2.3 Disseminate information on B2B e-commerce web site:

• Disseminate/share information about B2B e-commerce web site with stakeholders.
  • Explain about B2B e-commerce web site and it's usefulness to CCI by providing B2B leaf-let and print copy of the web page.
  • Disseminate/share about B2B web site with linkage enterprises, private sector/organization and business community, provide B2B leaf-let.
  • Disseminate /share information with Cyber cafes; provide B2B leaf-let and user manual.
  • Disseminate/share information with NGOs/INGOs and provide B2B leaflet.

1.2.4 Prepare/Develop CCI as B2B e-commerce service provider/promoter:

• Convince CCI on B2B e-commerce web site - highlight on:
  • Importance of B2B e-commerce web site for regional/business linkages.
  • Usefulness of B2B e-commerce web site to extract information on sellers, buyers and new technologies.
  • User-friendly web site - locally can be administered and maintained by CCI.
  • Sustainable services provision of B2B web site under CCI's management
  • Clarify role and responsibility of CCI.
    • Clarify importance/usefulness of B2B e-commerce web site for business and CCI as an organization representing private sector/business community.
    • Responsibility of CCI to promote B2B e-commerce web site.
    • Ensure acceptance and commitment of CCI for B2B e-commerce activities.
    • Assignment of a CCI staff to handle the B2B web site.
    • Manage physical facilities (space, furniture, normal telephone line link, computer, Internet link).
    • Use CCI's computer for B2B e-commerce web site.
• Built capacity of CCI manage B2B e-commerce web site
  • Orientation training to CCI staff.
  • Technical backstopping whenever requires.
  • If computer is not available in CCI, further consultation between CCI and RUPP to manage a computer.
• Mobilize CCI to take-up B2B e-commerce web site activities.
  • Launch B2B e-commerce by CCI.
  • Provide B2B web site service by CCI.
  • Establish link with linkage enterprises and promote B2B e-commerce.

1.2.5 Promotion of B2B e-commerce web site:

• Co-ordinate/mobilize municipality to promote B2B e-commerce web site.
• Co-ordinate/mobilize CCI for B2B e-commerce web site administer and maintenance at local level.
  • Up-load information on sellers and buyers into the B2B web site.
  • Up-date information on sellers and buyers.
  • Up-load/down load information on new technology.
• Promote use of B2B web site.
  • Explain the usefulness of B2B web site to linkage enterprises
  • Explain/facilitate linkage enterprises on B2B web site for their business promotion/expansion.
• Mobilize Cyber cafes to provide facility to visit B2B web site and download information.
  • Cyber cafes help linkage enterprises to visit B2B web site
  • Down load information/print and provide to linkage enterprises.
• Facilitate linkage enterprises (seller & buyers) to use B2B e-commerce web site.
  • Acquire information (inputs/technology/market) required for business/business expansion.
  • Up-load information of own business for marketing/expansion.

1.2.6 Promote B2B e-commerce for Regional Linkages:

• Help/facilitate linkage enterprises to expand business – use B2B e-commerce web site.
• Promote regional linkage enterprises - use of B2B e-commerce web site

1.2.7 Future Strategy:

Following future strategy will be adopted to promote the use of ICT - B2B e-commerce to promote regional linkages.

• Continuation of B2B e-commerce services in co-ordination between CCI and municipality.
• Launch B2B e-commerce web site in RUPP replicating municipalities in co-ordination between local CCI and municipality.
• Expansion of coverage of B2B e-commerce services to promote regional/national linkages.
• Strengthen B2B e-commerce services to establish regional linkages.
• Refine and further expansion of B2B e-commerce according to IT Act enacted by Government of Nepal.

Chapter II

Guidelines for Implementing B2B e-commerce

2.1 Goal:

To strengthen urban governance for improving people's livelihoods and strengthen the local economies by taking advantages of the social and economic development opportunities that can be obtained thought strengthening rural-urban linkages.

2.2 Objectives:

In order to achieve the Goal of the RUPP, following two Programme objectives are directly related to improving people's livelihoods.

2.2.1 Objective No. 2:

To improve e-governance and e-commerce opportunities for the poor in municipalities and rural market centers.

2.2.2 Objective No. 3:

To improve the livelihoods of rural and urban poor through the enhancement of the established rural-urban linkages.

2.2.3 Objective of the B2B e-commerce:

To create and host portals to facilitate B2B e-commerce, train producers and traders in B2B e-commerce option for strengthening regional linkages for market expansion of Linkage Enterprises promoted by RUPP.

2.3 B2B Guidelines:

Following few activities guidelines (but not limited) for implementing B2B e-commerce activities will help to achieve the objective of B2B e-commerce.

2.3.1 At National Level:

• Develop and launch B2B web site.
  • Develop B2B e-commerce web site.
  • Prepare user manual on B2B web site.
  • Prepare leaf let on B2B web site.
  • Information entry of linkage enterprises in the web site (i.e., sellers and buyers) and upload the information.
  • Launch of B2B web site (i.e. launched at Pokhara).
• Collaborate with AEC/FNCCI to host B2B e-commerce at central level.
• Mobilize FNCCI to administer and maintain B2B web site at central level.
• Incorporate B2B e-commerce in the RUPP's urban community mobilization process (see Annex-B).
• Incorporate B2B e-commerce in the RUPP's EDP process (see Annex-B).
• Develop activities guideline on B2B e-commerce web site.
• Link B2B web site with other sites for new technology information.
• Up-grade B2B e-commerce web site as per requirements
• Add new information
• Information on regional linkage studies
• Information on new/appropriate technologies
• Develop in-built monitoring system of web site - visitors log, log of web page visitors of particular CCI.
• Monitor and get feed back for further improvement

2.3.2 At Municipality /RMC Level:

• Orient municipality authority on B2B web site.
  • Brief/explain/convince municipality about B2B web site.
  • Provide B2B web site leaf-let.
  • Provide copy of printed pages of B2B web site.
  • Decision/commitment for B2B web site activities.
  • Collaborate and co-ordinate with CCI.
• Orient municipal/RUP section/unit staffs on B2B web site.
  • Brief/explain about B2B web site.
  • Provide basic knowledge/information about B2B e-commerce in SO-staff meeting.
  • Provide B2B web site leaf-let.
  • Provide copy of B2B web site printed pages.
  • Incorporate B2B e-commerce in the urban community mobilization.
• Orient CCI on B2B web site.
  • Brief/explain/convince CCI about B2B web site.
  • Provide B2B web site leaf-let.
  • Provide copy of printed pages of B2B web site.
  • Ensure commitment/decision of CCI for B2B e-commerce activities.
• Mobilize CCI for B2B web site to administer and maintenance at local level.
  • Assignment of CCI staff for B2B web site
  • Ensure necessary physical facilities.
    • Computer.
    • Normal telephone line with Internet connection.
    • Room and furniture.
• Enhance the capability of the CCI staff to administer and maintenance of B2B web site at local level.
  • Provide orientation training on B2B web site to administer and maintenance including entry and up-load information on sellers and buyers.
  • Entry of information on seller and buyer of respective municipality into the B2B web site for launching.
  • Provide user manual; pass word and other materials on B2B web site.
• Mobilize local CCI for launching B2B e-commerce web site.
  • Co-ordinate with CCI and municipality for appropriate date for launching B2B web site.
  • Fixed the appropriate launching date in consultation between CCI and municipality and communicate to PMU.
• Ensure necessary arrangements for launching of B2B web site
  • Check computer works properly
  • Check internet line well connected
  • Check B2B web site on line browse properly and keep ready
  • Keep ready B2B web page off-line (use off-line incase of sudden problem in on line browse)
• Launch B2B e-commerce web site in remaining partner municipalities.
• Arrange for regularly administer and maintenance of B2B web site by CCI.
• Promote the use of B2B web site.
  • Disseminate information on B2B web site in workshops and meetings with stakeholders.
  • Facilitate linkage enterprises for the use of B2B web site to explore market and business expansion.
• Mobilize Cyber cafes, NGOs/INGOs to promote use of B2B web site services.
  • Orient cyber cafes, NGO/INGOs on B2B web site.
  • Use cyber cafes for Internet - B2B web site access by linkage enterprises for information download.
  • Use/mobilize NGOs/INGOs both for information dissemination and promote use of B2B web site.
• Explore prospective RMCs for B2B e-commerce/Rural Tele-center.
  • Electricity supply
  • Normal telephone line connection
  • Computer
• Establish rural Tele-center in prospective RMCs having physical facilities.
• Mobilize Rural Tele-center for launching, administration and maintenance of B2B web site at RMC level.
• Monitor and get feed back for further improvement

2.3.3 At TLO Level:

• Make TLOs aware on B2B e-commerce web site.
• Create B2B e-commerce awareness at TLO level by mobilizing University students, community mobilizer, Cyber café, and students of computer training institute, NGO/INGOs, B2B web site leaf-let distribution.
  • Create awareness on B2B e-commerce web site at TLOs by mobilizing collage students (already mobilized collage students in Biratnagar, Hetauda, Bharatpur, Pokhara and Butwal).
  • Create awareness on B2B e-commerce web site by distributing B2B leaf-let to each HH through TLO in remaining 7 municipalities ( Birendranagar, Nepalgunj, Tansen, Tulsipur, Tribhuwannagar, Byas and Dhankuta).
  • Disseminate/provide information on B2B e-commerce web site in TLO at TLO meeting under urban community mobilization process/EDP process.
  • Disseminate information on B2B web site to linkage enterprises during follow-up of LEs.
    • Facilitate TLOs to carry out B2B e-commerce awareness activities.
    • Mobilize cyber cafe for B2B e-commerce web site services provision for information download/print.
• Promote the use of B2B e-commerce web site through EDP/urban community mobilization process.
  • Disseminate information on B2B web site in TLO meeting.
  • Provide information on B2B e-commerce in the EDP process.
  • Facilitate linkage enterprises for the use of B2B web site to explore market and business expansion.
    • Facilitate linkage enterprises to use B2B e-commerce web site services.
    • Mobilize linkage enterprises (LEs) to use B2B web site services for regional market expansion.
    • Monitor and get feed back for further improvement

2.4 B2B e-commerce activities will be carried out in the following three phases:

2.4.1 Phase I: Co-ordinate with AEC/FNCCI

• Co-ordinate and develop an understanding with AEC/FNCCI to host, administer, maintenance and further improvement of B2B e-commerce web site at central level by AEC/FNCCI.

Phase II: Start B2B e-commerce in six partner municipalities where ISP is available

1. Orient/explain municipality on B2B e-commerce web site.
2. Get consensus of the municipality for B2B e-commerce web site activities.
3. Orient/explain local CCI on B2B e-commerce web site.
4. Convince CCI and acquire commitment for B2B e-commerce web site administer, maintenance, maintenance and promotion.
5. MOA with CCI to administer, maintenance, maintenance and promotion of B2B e-commerce web site.
6. Capacity build-up of CCI by providing orientation training on B2B e-commerce web site to CCI's staff within the third week of March 2003.
7. Carry out B2B awareness generating activities at TLO level.
   1. Mobilize collage students (Bharatpur, Butwal, Pokhara, Hetauda and Biratnagar).
   2. Distribute B2B e-commerce web site leaf-let to each household of TLOs through TLO (Nepalgunj)
8. Ensure computer and Internet connectivity for the B2B e-commerce web site services in local CCIs.
9. CCI takes initiatives for launching B2B web site.
10. Launch B2B web site in CCI (Bharatpur, Butwal, Pokhara, Hetauda, Nepalgunj and Biratnagar) within April 2003.
11. CCI provides B2B e-commerce web site regular services for linkage enterprises.
12. Orient cyber cafes, NGO/INGOs on B2B e-commerce web site
13. CCI promotes use of B2B e-commerce web site by linkage enterprises.
14. Facilitate linkage enterprises for the use of B2B web site services.
15. Monitor and get feed back for better services and further improvement.

2.4.3 Phase III: Launch in remaining six municipalities and RMCs

1. Orient/explain municipality on B2B e-commerce web site.
2. Get consensus of the municipality for B2B e-commerce web site activities.
3. Orient/explain local CCI on B2B e-commerce web site.
4. Convince CCI and acquire commitment for B2B e-commerce web site administer, maintenance, maintenance and promotion.
5. MOA with CCI to administer, maintenance, maintenance and promotion of B2B e-commerce web site.
6. Capacity build-up of CCI by providing orientation training on B2B e-commerce web site to CCI's staff within the third week of March 2003.
7. Carry out B2B awareness generating activities at TLO level in remaining 6 municipalities (Birendranagar, Tansen, Tri-bhuwannagar, Tulsipur, Vyas and Dhankuta) by distributing B2B e-commerce leaf-let to each household through TLO.
8. Ensure computer and Internet connectivity/accessibility for B2B e-commerce services in local CCIs.
9. CCI takes initiatives for launching B2B web site.
10. Launch B2B e-commerce web site in remaining six partner municipalities (Birendranagar, Tansen, Tri-bhuwannagar, Tulsipur, Vyas and Dhankuta).
11. CCI provides B2B e-commerce web site regular services for linkage enterprises.
12. Orient cyber cafes, NGO/INGOs on B2B e-commerce web site.
13. CCI promotes use of B2B e-commerce web site by linkage enterprises.
14. Facilitate linkage enterprises for the use of B2B web site services.
15. Monitor and get feed back for further improvement.

2.4.4 Phase IV: Launch B2B web site in potential RMCs connected to six partner municipalities where ISP is available.

1. Explore suitable RMCs where physical facilities (electricity, normal telephone line, easily access of Internet) available to establish a rural Tele-center.
2. Explain about B2B e-commerce web site to VDC authority and get consensus/arrange MOA between CCI and VDC.
3. Assign a staff to manage Tele-center.
4. Built capacity of the Tele-center staff to administer and maintenance of B2B web site.
   1. Orientation training on B2B e-commerce (mobilize CCI staff as resource person).
5. Provide technical backstopping by local CCI's staff.
6. Establish a Tele-center in the potential RMCs in co-ordination with VDC.
   1. Co-ordinate with VDC and other relevant project/Programme/organization to establish a Tele-center.
   2. Ensure VDC's commitment to establish and management of Tele-center under VDC's support/supervision.
   3. Ensure a person to manage Tele-center and provide necessary trainings.
   4. Arrange a computer.
   5. Establish Tele-center.
7. Carry out B2B awareness generating activities at RMC level.
   1. Disseminate information/create awareness on B2B web site in TLO meeting
   2. Distribute B2B e-commerce web site leaf-let to each household of RMC through TLO.
8. Launch B2B web site in RMC - Tele-center.
9. Provide B2B web site services by Tele-center in RMCs.
10. Monitor and get/provide feed back for further improvement.

2.4.5 Phase V: Launch B2B web site in other potential RMCs connected to other partner municipalities

1. Explore suitable RMCs where physical facilities (electricity, normal telephone line, easy access of Internet) available to establish a rural Tele-center.
2. Explain about B2B e-commerce web site to VDC authority and get consensus/arrange MOA between CCI and VDC.
3. Assign a staff to manage Tele-center.
4. Assign a staff to manage Tele-center.
5. Built capacity of the Tele-center staff to administer and maintenance of B2B web site.
   1. Orientation training on B2B e-commerce (mobilize CCI staff as resource person).
6. Provide technical backstopping by local CCI's staff.
7. Establish a Tele-center in the potential RMCs in co-ordination with VDC.
   1. Co-ordinate with VDC and other relevant project/Programme/organization to establish a Tele-center.
   2. Ensure VDC's commitment to establish and management of Tele-center under VDC's support/supervision.
   3. Ensure a person to manage Tele-center and provide necessary trainings.
   4. Arrange a computer.
   5. Establish Tele-center.
8. Carry out B2B awareness generating activities at RMC level.
   1. Disseminate information/create awareness on B2B web site in TLO meeting
   2. Distribute B2B e-commerce web site leaf-let to each household of RMC through TLO.
9. Launch B2B web site in RMC - Tele-center.
10. Provide B2B web site services by Tele-center in RMCs.
11. Monitor and get/provide feed back for further improvement.

2.4.6 Phase VI: Develop/prepare AEC/FNCCI as administer and maintenance of B2B web site

1. Co-ordinate with the AEC/FNCCI and arrange for ownership of B2B e-commerce web site services (administrator, maintenance, further refinement / improvement).
2. Necessary arrangements/MOA with AEC/FNCCI for central level control of B2B web site.
3. Strengthen/ support AEC/FNCCI to expand coverage at RUPP replicating municipalities and remaining prospective Tele-center/RMCs.
4. Monitor and provide feed back for further improvement of B2B web site.

Annex-A

Annex-B

R-U Linkage Enterprise Development Process
Through Community Mobilization
(Rural – Urban Partnership Section/Programme)

1. TLO meeting:
   1.1 Discuss on EDP
   1.2 Provide information about B2B e-commerce web site
   1.3 Identify enterprise.
   1.4 Identify R-U link enterprises.
   1.5 Formation of an Enterprise Group
   1.6 Identify Focal Agent (FA).
   1.6 Minute the decisions.
2. 2. Meeting of an Enterprise Group:
   2.1 Focal Person Selection
   2.2 Enterprise Selection.
   2.3 Naming the Enterprise.
   2.4 Ground Rules Formulation.
   2.5 Develop Work Plan of an Enterprise.
   2.5.1 Prepare Work Plan.
   2.5.2 Prepare work plan / job description for members.
   2.6 Decide to request for necessary help to run the Enterprise.
3. 3. Collection of Baseline Information:
   3.1 Collect Baseline Information in the Format.
4. Scheme Preparation:
   4.1 Prepare Scheme as per prescribed format.
   4.1.1 Decide upon Equity Share.
   4.1.2 Decide upon Loan Requirement.
   4.2 Perform Financial Analysis.
   4.3 Cash Flow Analysis.
5. Credit, Skill and Technology:
   5.1 Need assessment of the Credit, Skill Training and Technology required.
   5.2 Approach for required Credit, Skill Training and Technology.
   5.2.1 Apply for recommendation from the concerned.
   5.2.2 Receive recommendation from TLO.
   5.2.2.1 Forward recommendations from TLO to Ward Committee/Village Development Committee (VDC) and Ward Committee/VDC to Municipality.
6. Registration of an Enterprise:
   6.1 Apply to the concern office for registration of an Enterprise.
   6.2 Receive recommendation to register an Enterprise.
   6.3 Receive a Registration Certificate.
7. Submission of Application Form to the Municipality (Rural - Urban Partnership Section/Programme):
   7.1 submit Application Form along with:
   7.1.1 attach the copy of the Registration Certificate of an enterprise with tte Application Form.
   7.1.2 Attach the copy of the citizenship with the Application Form.
   7.1.3 Attach the photograph of the Focal Person with the Application Form.
   7.1.4 Attach the cc copy of the TLO's recommendation and recommendation letter from Ward Committee with the Application Form.
   7.1.5 No loan letter (Ahakh) / declaration of loan not taken from financing institutions - attachment with the application from.
   7.1.6 In the case of re-loan, open a bank account.
   7.1.7 Attach the copy of by-laws/ ground rules and regulation of EE with the application form.
   7.1.8 Attach the copy of the EE's decision to seek support.
8. Training:
   8.1 Receive Enterprise Management Training (EMT).
   8.2 Receive Skill Training required to run the Enterprise.
9. Award the Maturity Certificate by the Municipality ( Rural- Urban Partnership Section / Programme).
10. Recommendation from the Community Mobilizer (CM). In the case of Rural Market Centre, recommendation from the Rural Market Centre Facilitator (MCF)
11. Recommendation from the Finance Officer (FO).
12. Recommendation from the Manager.
13. Submission of a case/ file to the Partnership Development Committee (PDC) and get approval.
14. Term of Partnership (TOP) between Municipality (Rural- Urban Partnership Section / Programme) and an Enterprise.
15. Cheque hand over to an Enterprise in the TLO's meeting.
    15.1 Organise TLO meeting.
    15.2 Sign the Term of Partnership (TOP) by both the parties and get a copy of the signed TOP to record in the Support Organization
    15.3 Read out the signed TOP in the TLO meeting.
    15.4 Sign in the promissory note.
    15.5 Sign in the receipt of the payment.
    15.6 Explain on the repayment schedule.
    15.7 Hand over the cheque to the Enterprise.
    15.8 Document cheque hand over decision in the TLO's minute.
    15.9 Start the enterprise.
16. Monitoring:
    16.1 Persons to monitor the Enterprise.
    16.1.1 Monitoring by CM.
    16.1.2 Monitoring by FO.
    16.1.3 Monitoring by Manager.
    16.1.4 Monitoring by TLO.
    16.1.5 Monitoring by Municipality.
    16.2 Monitoring to facilitate enterprise to run successfully.
    16.3 Monitoring for fulfilment of liabilities of an enterprise.
17. Evaluation:
    17.1 Fill-up the Monitoring and Evaluation Form.
    17.1 Fill-up the Economic Impact Assessment (EIA) Form.
18. 18. Expansion of an Enterprise:
    18.1 Receive the Evaluation Report of an Enterprise.
    18.2Confer a Golden Certificate to an Enterprise based on the evaluation report.
    18.3 Apply for recommendation to expand Enterprise.
    18.4 Receive recommendation for expansion of an Enterprise.

    Note: Except enterprise registration all other process should be followed for re-lending based on RUPP criteria.