WTO advanced course on services aspects of e-commerce concludes in Geneva

A total of 27 government officials from WTO members and observers participated from 12 to 15 November in a WTO advanced course on services aspects of e-commerce in Geneva. This course aimed to provide participants with an in-depth understanding of the interplay between services trade and e-commerce, and of the WTO’s work on this topic.

Speaking at the opening session, WTO Deputy Director-General Johanna Hill highlighted the importance of services and digitalization as key drivers of global trade. She emphasized that e-commerce plays a pivotal role in fostering economic growth and social inclusion, particularly for developing economies, by reducing trade costs and creating new opportunities for small businesses, women and young people.

Over four days, participants engaged with WTO experts on topics such as the measurement of digital trade, digitally delivered services, the regulatory challenges of e-commerce and the role of WTO and regional trade agreements in digital trade governance. The programme also addressed issues such as data flows, taxation of digital trade and the WTO moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions.

Haley Payet, a participant from the Seychelles, said: “This thematic course is directly relevant to my role as a technical focal point for digital trade in services and development. My responsibilities include analysing, consulting and negotiating at the technical level regarding the African Continental Free Trade Area Protocol on Digital Trade. For further projects, I was keen on gaining further knowledge on how e-commerce and digital trade activities are being taken into account in trade-based classification systems.”

Piero Paolo Romualdo Guasta Leyton from Chile said: “I am involved in the negotiation and administration of e-commerce chapters of legislation. Many of these disciplines have an impact on trade in services, for example on the free flow of data. It is therefore relevant to learn about peers’ negotiating experience, including the best practices for services trade which have been beneficial.”