Globalisation of the ICT Sector

Worldwide trade in information and communications technology (ICT) has returned to growth following a very sharp slump in the last half of 2008, continuing into the first quarter of 2009. Before the economic crisis, global ICT trade expanded very strongly and grew until 2008 in value terms. Global ICT trade has tripled since 1996 to approach USD 4 trillion in 2008, with the OECD share dropping from 71% in 1996 to 53% in 2008. Global restructuring of ICT production continues, with Eastern Europe, Mexico and non-member developing economies increasingly important as both producers and new growth markets. Operations of multinationals, international sourcing, and intra-firm and intra-industry trade have had major impacts on the global ICT value chain, and are an increasing source of growth. China is by far the largest exporter of ICT goods, and is now the largest importer, largely driven by foreign investment and sourcing arrangements. India is by far the largest exporter of computer and information services, fuelled by the growth of domestic firms.