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iMalls is designed to extend the benefits of the information society and E-commerce to underserved cities and rural areas in the Americas. iMalls supplements telecentres through two vital activities: logistical support and payments services. E-commerce activities of small and medium businesses are key beneficiaries of such expertise. Through iMalls, traditional telecenters will also be able to serve as logistics and payments centres for E-commerce in their communities.

A private sector / NGO partnership
iMalls is a pioneering and unique equitable private sector/NGO initiative between the Telecenters of the Americas Partnership (TAP), of which the Ecuadorian ChasquiNet Foundation is an operational member; and iMallsGlobal, a U.S. company that integrates international logistics and payments facilities from traditional vendors throughout the Americas.

This partnership is designed to help over 5,000 TAP telecentre members located in inadequately served communities in the region. For example, members will be able to optimally use the Internet to buy and sell low cost, high quality goods; and small business will be networked with each other to enhance regional trade. Strategic partners of iMalls include UPS (logistics and finance), Microsoft (Information Technology), OPIC (loan fund) and Circuit City and Hudson Bay (vendors).

The main components of iMalls are:

Through these initiatives, iMalls will expand the services that telecentres can render to their communities. It will also actively enhance community development by creating exciting opportunities to make the telecentre a vibrant new force in triggering economic and social growth.