Effect of ICT and E-Government on Public Revenue: Evidence from South Asian Economies

Abstract

The growing importance of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and e-government has attracted the attention of researchers dedicated to enhancing public revenue. The present study aims to conduct an empirical analysis to investigate the influence of information and communication technology (ICT) and e-government on the public revenue of economies in South Asia. The panel of eight South Asian economies was constructed using data from 2001 to 2021. The empirical examination used econometric estimation techniques such as pooled regression, fixed effect model, and Generalised Least Square (GLS). The findings of the regression model indicate that there is a positive relationship between ICT and its corresponding indices with public revenue. The impact of fixed broadband subscription is notably more significant compared to other indices of ICT. Furthermore, it is worth noting that the influence of e-government in South Asia has been observed to affect public revenue positively. The study’s findings’ implications are significant in elevating public revenue in the South Asian region.