The "Bridging the Digital Divide of the SME Project" aims at enabling hundreds of thousands of Taiwan micro businesses to use the internet and e-commerce in their business operations. This project is sponsored by the Small-and-Medium Enterprise Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Chinese Taipei.
There are 982,000 registered business entities in Taiwan, 94% of which employ less than 20 employees. Although broadband internet penetration has reached most rural areas and subscription fees are generally affordable by households and businesses, most of these micro businesses are still not active or sophisticated users of information technology and the internet compared to larger businesses. Answering to the needs of the vast numbers of micro businesses, the government has staged a nationwide campaign to significantly bridge the digital divide to these underprivileged citizens and businesses.
In addition to the many impressive statistics that illustrate the success of the project, behind the figures are also many touching stories of Taiwanese small businessmen and women who have successfully integrated themselves and their business into today's digital economy.
The following are the highlights of the Project: