Connecting Digital Economies: Policy Recommendations for Cross-Border Payments

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 COVID-19 public health crisis will only accelerate digital trade and cross-border e-commerce as physical commerce contracts and digital commerce expands. However, significant challenges for digital trade and cross-border payments persist, providing an opportunity for policy-makers and regulators worldwide to reduce friction and improve connections between digital economies globally. This report builds on past World Economic Forum research and leverages the Forum’s extensive community of payment experts in order to move beyond the challenges and provide governments with concrete recommendations to promote inclusive growth in the digital economy.