From East to West, the economies of Europe and Central Asia (ECA) are not taking full advantage of the internet to foster economic growth and job creation. The residents of Central Asia and the South Caucasus pay some of the highest prices in the world for internet connections that are slow and unreliable.
In contrast, Europe enjoys some of the world's fastest and affordable internet services. However, its firms and individuals are not fully exploiting the internet to achieve higher productivity growth as well as more and better jobs.
The session will present the ECA Regional report on "Reaping Digital Dividends", with a special focus on digital trade and online labor market arrangements.
The report identifies the main bottlenecks and argues that policies to foster competition, international trade and skills supply, as well as adapting regulations to the changing business environment and labor markets, will also be necessary.
More information about the report can be obtained HERE
The report will be presented by Hernan Winkler (Economist, ECA Chief Economist Office) and Shawn Tan (Economist, Trade and Competitiveness Global Practice, ECA Region) of the World Bank.
There will be invited discussants and a light lunch will be provided.
Moderator: Mr. Pierre Sauve, Senior Private Sector Specialist, Trade and Competitiveness, World Bank
Speakers:
- Mr. Angel Gonzalez-Sanz, Chief, Science, Technology and ICT Branch, UNCTAD
- Mr. Shawn Tan, Economist, Trade and Competitiveness Global Practice, ECA Region, World Bank
- Mr. Hernan Winkler, Senior Economist, Jobs Group, World Bank
- Ms. Uma Rani Arama, Senior Economist, International Labor Organization
- Mr. Christian Borggreen, Director for International Policy, Computer and Communications Industry Association
- Mr. Ilia Kabanov, Advisor, Department of Trade Policy, Eurasian Economic Commission
