Digital trade and e-commerce
Digital technologies are shaping the future of trade. Done well, they allow the smallest firms to become “micro-multinationals” and contribute to economic growth and development. Done poorly, digital policies can trap governments, businesses, and consumers into sub-standard outcomes. The Asian Trade Centre works closely with governments and private sector stakeholders across the region in ensuring digital trade policies work for everyone.
We provide cutting-edge research and advisory on the impact of digitalization on Asia’s trade environment. Our team is actively working with governments in adopting emerging digital trends in their trade policy strategies including embedding them in digital economy agreements, as well as with businesses especially small and medium enterprises on how to navigate challenging digital trade regulations and capitalize on new digital market access opportunities found in next-generation free trade agreements.
Reach out to us on how we can work together in developing inclusive digital trade policies.
Data Sharing in Digital Trade, paper for the APEC Business Advisory Council, November 2022.
Digital Trade in Asia, by Dr. Deborah Elms and Nick Agnew, Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies Global Governance Programme-474 Working Paper by European University Institute, July 2022.
Digital Trade in the Asia Pacific, by Dr. Deborah Elms, December 2020. In the book “Digitalisation, Trade, and Geopolitics in Asia” by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Japan.
World Economic Forum Global Future Council on International Trade and Investment Community Paper, Advancing Digital Trade in Asia, October 2020.
Fostering regional growth and innovation in the midst of economic and regulatory uncertainty: A case study of Asia’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector, by Juan Sebastian Cortes-Sanchez, June 2020. In the book “The multilateral trade system under stress: Charting Asia's path forward” by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Japan.
The Asia Business Trade Association (ABTA) Issue Paper, FTAs: Digital Trade Provisions Comparison, July 2019.
The Asia Business Trade Association (ABTA) Cybersecurity Framework, August 2018.
Policy Brief 17-07: Should E-Commerce and Digital Trade Be Taxed? June 2017.
Book The Intangible Economy: How Services Shape Global Production and Consumption, Elms, Deborah Kay, Arian Hassani, and Patrick Low, eds. Cambridge University Press, 2017.
Evolving Digital and E-Commerce Trade Rules in Northeast Asia, Korea Institute for International Economic Policy.
RCEP: E-Commerce Working Paper, June 2016.
Fostering Innovation and Growth in Asia: IP, Copyright and Digital Trade, Working Paper, April 2016.
April 2015 Policy Report: Challenges of Small & Medium Sized Enterprises in E-Commerce in Asia.