KEY POINTS:
Small businesses are facing several barriers to developing e-commerce and broadband internet, a new report shows.
Small Business Minister Lianne Dalziel, who released the report, said learning how to grow small and medium enterprises (SMEs) was a priority for the Government.
"E-commerce is a medium that, once established, gives SMEs a low-cost means of entering world-wide markets."
The Central Online Management and Export Trade (Comet) Accelerator Action Research Project report found key barriers to e-commerce activity were:
* Cost.
* Access to suitable on-line banking facilities.
* Difficulty penetrating global markets.
* Access to information on customs and other regulations.
* Motivation levels.
Twenty-nine small firms took part in the project, which provided them with subsidised e-commerce services and mentoring.
Dalziel said Comet's goals were identifying barriers and critical success factors to help small businesses thrive.
- NZPA
