Since the launch of UNCTAD's eTrade Readiness Assessment Programme (eT-Ready) in late 2016, assessments have been produced in seven least developed countries (LDC): Bhutan, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Liberia, Myanmar, Nepal and Samoa, and others are underway. There is also growing interest from non-LDC developing countries as well as transition economies.
The assessments have helped beneficiary countries to identify opportunities, barriers and relevant policy measures needed to improve their readiness to engage in and benefit from e-commerce. It has also catalyzed discussions among and within the public and private sectors around e-commerce and the digital economy.
The next challenge is to ensure progress towards implementation of relevant policy recommendations contained in each assessment. With this in mind, this session will highlight key findings and recommendations the new Readiness Assessments, but then mainly focus on practical steps that can be taken to implement relevant recommendations.
The session will invite the national governments to share their strategies in this regard. Meanwhile, development partners will indicate what role they can best play in the implementation stage.
A key question will also be how to make sure that all donor agencies, development banks and international organization are informed about the recommendations to allow them to identify areas in which they may provide assistance.
Moderator: Shamika N. Sirimanne, Director, Division of Technology and Logistics
Welcoming remarks: Ms. Isabelle Durant, Deputy Secretary-General, UNCTAD
Speakers:
• Mr. Sven Callebaut, Senior Adviser / UNCTAD Consultant
• H.E. Mr. Wilson Tarpeh, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Liberia
• H.E. Mr. Aung Htoo, Deputy Union Minister of Commerce, Myanmar
• H.E. Mr. Pan Sorasak, Minister of Commerce, Royal Government of Cambodia
• H.E. Mr. Kham-Inh Khitchadeth, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the Lao People's Democratic Republic
• H.E. Mr. Junichi Ihara, Permanent Representative of Japan to the International Organizations in Geneva and Chair of the WTO General Council
• Ms. Daniela Zehentner-Capell, Head of Division, Trade Related Development Cooperation, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany
• Mr. Teppo Markus Tauriainen, Director General for Trade, Ministry for Foreign Affairs
• Ms. Annette Mutaawe Ssemuwemba, Deputy Executive Director, Enhanced Integrated Framework
