Describes how widely e-Commerce is used, the primary sectors that sell through e-commerce, and how much product/service in each sector is sold through e-commerce versus brick-and-mortar retail. Includes what a company needs to know to take advantage of e-commerce in the local market and , reputable, prominent B2B websites.
The Government of El Salvador continues to use the internet to convey information, promote commerce, reduce bureaucracy, and improve services to the public. For example: some import/export documents can now be processed electronically through a system administered by Customs and the Ministry of Agriculture, trade data and economic indicators can be downloaded from the Central Bank, taxes can be paid via the internet and companies can register their supply and demand of products and services.
The most current data from the International Telecommunication Union shows internet penetration of 38%, an increase of 78% from 2015. Penetration of wi-fi networks is also increasing and therefore access to internet in places like restaurants, malls, and schools is more common.
The Electronic Signature law was passed in 2015, which facilitates business and commerce through internet-based transactions. Per the legislation, the certified electronic signature is equivalent to an ink signature. The Ministry of Economy oversees the Electronic Signature Unit which regulates service providers that produce and store electronic certificates. As of now the law has not yet entered into force.