The World Trade Organization hosted a workshop on e-commerce on 1-2 June, where Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala emphasized the shared responsibility of the WTO and the international community in unlocking the full potential of the digital economy. The workshop aimed to promote economic growth, job creation and trade diversification through the effective utilization of digital technologies. Attendees, including WTO members and international organizations, engaged in discussions on various e-commerce topics and explored programs designed to assist developing economies in benefiting from digital trade. This workshop served as a follow-up to the 12th Ministerial Conference decision to strengthen the Work Programme on E-commerce, particularly regarding its developmental dimension. Key issues addressed included consumer protection, bridging the digital divide, customs duty moratorium on electronic transmissions and legal and regulatory frameworks governing e-commerce.
“In 2022, the value of exports of these services, which cover everything from streaming games to consulting services provided by video, reached USD 3.82 trillion — worth 12% of total goods and services trade, up from 8% a decade earlier,” Okonjo-Iweala said. “With the comparatively slow recovery of tourism and other services requiring cross-border movement of people, digitally delivered services have increased their footprint in global services trade. Last year represented 54% of total global services exports. Many countries are still lagging — be it because of poor connectivity, outdated physical and digital infrastructure, inadequate digital financial services, deficiencies in digital literacy and skills, weak legal and regulatory frameworks — or any combination of these factors. These discussions are important to better understand the challenges and opportunities of digital trade.”
According to a press release, Ambassador Athaliah Lesiba Molokomme, General Council Chair said collaboration is needed to achieve set goals.
“Such cooperation could assist members in identifying gaps and opportunities as well as in providing relevant information, including on available technical assistance and capacity building,” Molokomme said.