Why this is significant is because in 2013 we will see a mature set of both transport infrastructure and message content standards that have evolved directly from the efforts of those early pioneers.

With ebMS 3.0 (and its various profiles) and UBL (about to publish UBL 2.1) the industry can finally claim a proven framework for eBusiness using XML technologies based on open standards.

It could perhaps be that the combination of ebMS and UBL will come to represent the HTTP and HTML of eBusiness – the trigger for making a single global electronic market.

It is encouraging to see governments around the world taking interest in these standards – again echoing back to the development of the Internet and World Wide Web.

For the sake of better business let us hope so.