The Internet may not be useful for all businesses, nor do all have to develop an Internet information strategy. Some businesses are concerned with the start-up costs of connecting such as purchasing hardware and software, subscribing to an Internet connection or service provider, and training staff. Others are concerned with the necessary search and navigation skills one has to develop to be able to use it as a cost effective business tool. Some businesses are concerned that, as a result of technical congestion during certain times, the Internet will not effectively improve their ability to disseminate and retrieve information. Most businesses are concerned about Internet security relating to issues of unwanted intrusions into sensitive databases, electronic payments, contracting with authorized parties and protection from electronic viruses.

The entry by telephone and cable companies into the Internet service provider business within the last few years has given new hope to the congestion problem in that they now have a vested interest in investing in infrastructure. The Internet connection and set-up cost are not inexpensive for every business; however, the competitive cost of not having it probably outweighs the financial cost of connectivity. Even if businesses deal with customers that are domestic or local, reaching the customer is only one aspect of the Internet. It can be used to communicate with suppliers to build supply networks, order materials, sales or other information 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.

Electronic Commerce and particularly that carried on over the Internet is in itself Global. The actions in regulating by any one of the domestic states will have very little impact unless they are part of a larger international setting. This paper will first outline the governance of international trade relations, its institutions, backgrounds and partners. This paper will then look at diverse agreements, action plans, model laws and guides that have been prepared by international organizations. The organizations have various mandates and interests in promoting electronic commerce, and providing solutions to the problems that the average business person may encounter in dealing in this new medium. Some of these problems have been identified in this paper.

There are several common misconceptions regarding both e-commerce and the WTO and role of WTO in its regulations. First it neither regulates trade, nor does it regulate e-commerce; the basic aim of WTO