Digital divide has been a worldwide concern in recent years. It is not only a matter of economic issue but also a social justice issue. Responding to such economic and humanitarian issues, Taiwan government has been taking national initiatives to mitigate the divide among the digitally underprivileged businesses and citizens.

"Creating Digital Opportunities for Taiwan Micro Businesses" represents a vital move to help micro business improve their livelihood through the implementation of e-Commerce. The micro business refers to the business entity hiring less than 20 employees. The sponsor of the project is Small and Medium Business Administration (SMEA), Ministry of Economic Affairs. And the Information Services Industry Association (CISA) assumes the execution responsibilities.

In Taiwan, there are approximately 1 million business entities. The micro business accounts for 75% of total business entities. Most of these micro businesses are shop and restaurant owners. This Project specially targets at those micro business located at rural or mountain areas.

CISA recruited about 1000 IT companies supervised by 12 task forces to deploy the information technology to those targeted micro businesses. In the last 3 years, there were 70,000 micro businesses set up their own websites and moved their business operations to the cyberspace. By having an individual website, the individual business entity becomes visible in the digital marketplace. The introduction of e-Commerce into their business operations means they gain an additional sales channel.

Taiwan ranks the 7 in the world network readiness surveyed by World Economic Forum (WEF) in 2007. The universally deployed wideband network created 80% internet penetration among businesses and households. This is the most strategic advantage for this Project. And the very efficient and convenient door-to-door physical delivery network on the island also serves as an incentive for the micro business adopts e-Commerce.

The "Creating Digital Opportunities for Taiwan Micro Businesses" enters its second phase from 2008 to 2011. The Project focuses on creating more "digital clusters" among micro businesses. A digital cluster means 10 or more micro businesses in the vicinity of a community join together to own and operate a shared website to promote their product and services in the cyber market. Such collective efforts pool each one’s limited resources together to empower the co-owned website. It also enables a collective learning environment of running the e-Commerce.

Upon the completion of the second stage of the Project, it is estimated there will be 140,000 micro businesses and 160 digital clusters employ e-Commerce in their business operations.