The exponential increase in internet connectivity and in electronic commerce is likely to have a lasting effect on the conduct of business activities. Consequently, the already observable changes indicate only the beginning of a long-term phenomenon, which might be labeled with the term new economy. The rapid spread of the internet as a means for business transactions has not yet been accompanied by corresponding modifications of the international framework. The potential that e-commerce has in productivity and competitiveness terms is so significant that any delay in ensuring the technological and infrastructure premises necessary to its spreading on a larger scale attracts the risk of the deepening of the digital difference and implicit of remaining behind related to the aspect of integration in the global and European structures.

new economy, ECommerce, framework