Furthermore, very few countries, especially developing countries, maintain data on e-commerce. According to UNCTAD (2015: 39), ‘[tjhere are few benchmarks of country e-commerce performance; those that exist suffer from a lack of public availability, scope or consistent methodology, as well as limited geographical coverage.’ However, few studies actually pertain to the measurement of e-commerce—that is, the actual trade taking place between parties through electronic means and that was hitherto conducted through traditional means such as through border and customs post, or captured by local presence in the case of services.