The Digital Economy Agreement Leadership (DEAL) Group is a global community that seeks to provide balanced resources to parties interested in Digital Economy Agreements (DEAs). The Group aims to create an impartial forum for information exchanges and debates, and contribute to the growth of inclusive and sustainable digital economies around the world. It will have an initial focus on ASEAN in light of its growing digital economy and keen interest in a regional DEA.
The DEAL Group draws upon expertise from governments which have signed DEAs or are interested in signing DEAs, the private sector, civil society and academia to serve as a knowledge resource for policymakers and businesses. The first DEAL Group workshop on “Accelerating ASEAN’s Digital Economy Integration” convened nearly 50 stakeholders in July 2022 to identify digital economy opportunities and challenges, and the role DEAs can play in the region.
A new initiative will identify challenges and solutions to growing digital FDI: cross-border investment in the digital economy.
Digitalization can help create a level playing field that makes financial services more inclusive for underserved groups in ASEAN’s digital generation.
By regulating digital trade between economies, the digital economy agreements can be especially beneficial for SMEs looking for opportunities in digital business.
A widespread lack of awareness about digital regulation could threaten future innovation and increase fragmentation of this globally vital sector.
As the digital economy continues to dominate, participants of a workshop at Davos are calling for an inclusive framework to improve the ability to do business abroad.
