Maximising the Gains from Digital Trade: Solutions and priorities for developing countries and LDCs
Organised jointly by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Enhanced Integrated Framework, this hybrid event will explore the challenges and opportunities for developing countries and least developed countries (LDCs) in the digital trade space.
Rapid digitalisation and the emergence of increasingly advanced digital technologies, ICT applications and data-driven solutions are changing the way goods and services are produced, supplied, traded and consumed across borders. However, entrepreneurs and firms in many developing countries, especially the least developed countries (LDCs), lack the tools and capacity to engage effectively in digital trade and risk missing out on the benefits available through participating more fully in the growing digital economy.
The panel will identify practical actions to build digital connectivity and maximise the gains from digital trade. They will also consider the case for a new and additionally funded Aid for Digital Trade initiative, reflect on lessons from country experiences and projects supported by the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), propose new measures and priorities to support LDCs to build capacity for digital trade, and identify practical ways to help businesses.
Speakers and moderators:
- H.E. Marie Chantal Rwakazina (TBC), Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Rwanda to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva
- H.E. Prof. Muhammadou M.O. Kah, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of The Gambia to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva
- Ratnakar Adhikari, Executive Director, Enhanced Integrated Framework Executive Secretariat at the World Trade Organization
- Simon Lacey, Senior Lecturer, Institute for International Trade, University of Adelaide
- Annette Ssemuwemba, Deputy Executive Director, Enhanced Integrated Framework Executive Secretariat at the World Trade Organization
- Michael Roberts, Head, Aid for Trade Unit, World Trade Organization
- Brendan Vickers, Head, International Trade Policy Section, Commonwealth Secretariat
- Vashti Maharaj, Adviser, Digital Trade Policy, Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda, Commonwealth Secretariat
- Torbjörn Fredriksson, Head of the E-commerce and Digital Economy Branch, UNCTAD
- Natalie Domeisen, Head, ITC Publishing and Events, International Trade Centre