How can we ensure technology drives new, inclusive trade growth and recovery in the digital age?
The Fourth Industrial Revolution – associated with rapid technological change and digitalization – has already had a profound impact on the way we trade. Digital payments, data flows and digital services delivery, particularly across borders, are also playing a critical role in response to the COVID-19 pandemic response. Digital trade in services are among the most dynamic sectors in the global economy and could be further harnessed for the recovery process. Emerging technologies such as blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, or the Internet of Things could further alter the trade landscape in years to come.
However, barriers to digital trade exist and in some cases growing, whether due to outdated rules, new forms of protectionism, or as domestic policymakers seek to address novel governance questions without international collaboration. E-commerce entrepreneurs must navigate challenges from last-mile delivery logistics to secure cross-border payments. New data localization policies are emerging and other hurdles are emerging for international digital service supply. The promise of trade technologies to increase efficiency and inclusiveness is being challenged. Disruptive effects on business and the workforce will need to be navigated, while questions on taxing global digital activities are ongoing.
In response, the Forum’s Digital Trade initiative brings policymakers, experts and business together to:
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This report aims to shed light on the landscape of emerging trade technologies and consider the opportunities and challenges for each, ranging from AI to IoT to 3D printing.
The project was a true co-creation of local and international multi-stakeholders. The report showcases our methodology, the progress made and next steps in the development of the Electron...
A major international initiative on data flows, the Osaka Track, was launched by heads of governments under Japan’s G20 leadership in 2019. This paper develops a framework for ‘data free ...
The rapid expansion of access to digital payments has made it possible for consumers to conveniently make purchases for goods and services from merchants around the world. The current COV...
This White Paper provides guidance on how to deal with business and policy challenges as 3D printing (3DP) might revolutionize the way products are made and may provoke unintended consequ...
This paper provides insights, developed through expert inputs, on domestic good practices as well as trade policy tools that can help balance facilitating cross-border data flows while pr...
Trade costs – the costs of moving cargo from one country to another – are a leading constraint for companies wanting to engage in trade. The development of trade single windows, a one-sto...
International hurdles to e-commerce post challenges for consumers. One important limiting factor is the perception that cross-border online transactions and delivery are less secure and t...
Transport and delivery services are critical for ensuring goods ordered online reach the consumer and are returned when something is not right. This paper presents trends and changes in t...
Technology has altered the way consumers interact with payment systems. The Internet, digitization, shifting consumer preferences and, in some cases, regulatory reform have accelerated th...
Paperless trade refers to the digitization of information flows required to support goods and services crossing borders. Transforming what was traditionally a paper-based documentation sy...
This White Paper aims to build the knowledge of current e-transaction and e-signature rules. It evaluates how these apply in national and international commercial contexts, and bridges pe...
COVID-19 has accelerated adoption of digital tech, highlighting the need to modernize digital trade rules and buck the trend of digital protectionism.
Ensuring the relationship between openness and trust in data flows is mutually reinforcing will help strengthen international cooperation
Cross-border trade in digital services such as videoconferencing and entertainment is booming, but there are still too many barriers limiting its reach.
With widespread quarantine measures to cut COVID-19’s chains of transmission, digital payments give people at-home access to essential goods and services.
Foreign direct investment in the digital economy can help bring technology, know-how, jobs and growth to developing countries recovering from coronavirus.
It raises questions about the implications of potential new rules on cross-border data flows and the governance of data-sharing platforms.
3D printing has been slow to scale despite a lack of customs duties. What would change if they became the norm?
A new World Economic Forum report highlights the rise in data restrictions and how countries can balance business, privacy and security goals.
Single windows can significantly reduce admin processes for trade partners – but they've traditionally suffered with a number of tricky pain points. Until blockchain came along, that is.
Global e-commerce is worth a staggering $25.3 trillion - but levels of trust among consumers who are buying from countries other than their own is low. Here's how policymakers can start t...
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.
These are the innovations that could make global trade more efficient, more inclusive, and less costly.
In disadvantaged regions, digital connectivity can be a source of income and opportunity, and it's powering a new breed of enterprises.
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