Since the beginning of the corona virus pandemic, there has been a significant increase in e-commerce, but there has also been an increased number of abuses of electronic platforms, especially on social networks, said today the Minister of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications Tatjana Matic.
We have had an increase in e-commerce of up to 300 percent depending on the product, and there is also an increased number of abuses of electronic platforms, especially on social networks, said Matic at today’s ministerial panel at the online conference AmCham.
She pointed out that the cooperation of inspection bodies proved to be important, and added that the largest part of the gray economy via the Internet is reduced to advertising messages for tobacco products.
“It is a commodity that is most susceptible to the gray economy, but also drugs and medical devices, and after that, advertising of goods in a way that violates the intellectual property right, primarily clothing, footwear, cosmetics,” the minister said.
Matic also says that the e-inspector system is very important because it enables networked work and coordination of all inspections.
From January to November, 81 inspections were performed at unregistered entities and 36 requests for initiating misdemeanor proceedings were submitted.
Next year, 155 regular inspections are planned at unregistered and registered entities that offer goods over the Internet.
Plans may change, depending on the situation with the pandemic, Matic added, adding that they will react in accordance with the current market situation.
She reminded that the latest NALED research showed that 51% of the respondents see inspection as a key factor in the fight against the gray economy.
Matic added that two laws are important for the further development of e-government and e-business, on the electronic document, electronic identification and trusted services, as well as the Law on e-government.
“The regulation was passed in accordance with European practice, but the obstacles we have had in the last two years were related to the implementation of these laws,” said Matic, adding that there were insufficiently registered service providers, as well as certificates issued.
She added that they are working on the introduction of qualified electronic signatures in the cloud, and stated that it is very important, RTV reports.
