E-commerce development in rural and remote areas of BRICS countries
E-commerce development in rural and remote areas of BRICS countries
Authors: Karine Haji
Journal: Journal of Integrative Agriculture
Volume & Issue: Volume 20, Issue 4
Published: April 2021
This review article explores the development of e-commerce in rural and remote areas of BRICS countries—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—and its potential to foster inclusive economic growth and poverty reduction. E-commerce has emerged as a pivotal driver of modern trade, with global transactions reaching 29 trillion USD in 2017, and its significance is expected to grow alongside the expansion of the Internet and information and communication technologies (ICTs). The study examines the current state of rural e-commerce in each BRICS nation, highlighting public and private initiatives designed to support its expansion. It identifies both opportunities, such as improved access to markets and enhanced livelihoods for rural populations, and challenges, including uneven regional development and the lack of coordinated BRICS cooperation in this sector.
The article emphasizes the need for systematic collection of statistics on rural poverty and e-commerce impact, proposing a shared database to enable real-time monitoring and informed policy-making. It also advocates for strategic planning at both national and BRICS levels to integrate e-commerce into broader poverty alleviation and rural development strategies. The author suggests creating a BRICS E-commerce Union to facilitate cross-border cooperation, streamline customs and tax procedures, improve postal and delivery services, develop payment systems in national currencies, and standardize electronic document exchange and online dispute resolution mechanisms.
Moreover, the study highlights the importance of corporate and educational collaboration, recommending the sharing of best practices from leading e-commerce firms and the establishment of educational initiatives to strengthen digital literacy in rural communities. By implementing these measures, BRICS countries could significantly enhance rural e-commerce, promote social inclusion, and increase living standards in remote areas. Ultimately, the article argues that e-commerce should not only serve as a business tool but also as a mechanism for equitable access to digital technologies, fostering a culture of mutual support, responsibility, and transparency among rural populations.
