Introduction
The emergence of a dynamic new economy and the globalization of factors that drive economic growth in the age of information and communications technology have created a new competitive climate that redefines global market players. The new competitive paradigm readily fosters the entry of small firms to enter global niche markets. At the same time, it has also increased the barriers to entry to local and regional players who lack the information necessary to arm themselves in building their economies and equipping their people for the challenges of the new economy. ICT can have a leveling effect, giving poor countries and people opportunities to participate in the digital economy by providing them with access to markets, information and other resources that would otherwise have been inaccessible.

Project Rationale
The obstacles facing many developing countries today are the lack of adequate and correct information to make timely and appropriate decisions for economic governance in the age of the digital or information economy. There is an urgent need for developing countries to address issues such as infrastructure bottlenecks and the digital divide - which must be pursued in parallel with the governance aspects of e-commerce, competition, privacy of networks, consumer protection, intellectual property, and Open Source, among others.

e-Primers Series
The Asia Pacific e-Primers Series is a regional public information effort of UNDP-APDIP to make available to a wide audience crucial topics on the information economy. The aim of the series are to provide policy makers and opinion leaders in developing countries of the Asia-Pacific with a clear understanding of the various terminologies, definitions, trends and issues surrounding the information economy, as well as, the specific implications of ICT for their societies. These e-Primers provide developing countries with a compendium of global best practices of ICT-facilitating conditions – physical and financial infrastructure, legal and regulatory frameworks, skills development, scientific research and development, Open Source, etc. – required to harness their individual resources and direct these toward growth, development and poverty reduction.

Scope
These e-primers were published by UNDP-APDIP using online and offline publications to reach a maximum audience. An offline publication was developed to reach individuals and groups with limited or no access to the Internet, while an online version of the e-primers was also developed. Each of these primers was written in a simple question and answer format accompanied by a detailed list of reference materials for further reading. This format intends to clarify and facilitate understanding of the various issues facing the people of the Asia Pacific in the digital economy, but also to showcase and promote global best practices in each of the topic areas to be covered by the e-primers.

Beneficiaries
These e-primers are primarily addressed to policymakers and opinion makers in the developing countries of the Asia Pacific. However, because of its style and language, these primers will also be accessible to a wide range of readers interested in the information revolution and its effects on the economy, polity and society. These include professionals, business people, those involved in non-government and not-for-profit activities. Through a mailing list developed jointly by UNDP-APDIP, these e-primers were distributed by UNDP-APDIP primarily to policy-makers and their technical staff, as well as to industry associations and non-government organizations involved in activities directly or related to information and communications technology, micro-enterprise, education, legal/policy studies and gender development, among others. At the same time, these e-primers were distributed in various universities all over the Asia-Pacific and in university- and government-sponsored seminars/symposia, ICT exhibitions and e-ASEAN-sponsored activities.

Regional Collaboration and Participation
The e-Primers on the Information Economy is an international collaborative effort with institutional partners. Each e-Primer was reviewed by experts from international non-governmental institutions, academe, government and industry.

Asia-Pacific e-Primers Series
e-Primers for the Information Economy, Society, and Polity Series
The e-Primers on the Information Economy is a regional public information effort of UNDP-APDIP and the e-ASEAN Task Force Secretariat to provide policy makers and opinion leaders in developing countries of the Asia-Pacific with a clear understanding of the various terminologies, definitions, trends and issues surrounding the information economy, as well as, the specific implications of ICT for their societies.

e-Primers on Free/Open Source Software (FOSS) Series
To serve as introductory documents to FOSS in general, as well as covering particular topic areas in greater detail. Their purpose is to raise FOSS awareness, particularly among policy-makers, practitioners and educators.

For more information, please contact :

James George Chacko
Programme Specialist
Access and Partnerships Development
Asia-Pacific Development Information Programme
Email: james@apdip.net