Assessing the opportunities and challenges that the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) face towards e-commerce is frequently hampered by a lack of reliable information.
Many LDCs don’t have the information or technology available to assess and evaluate e-commerce and trade in the digital economy in their countries, which is a barrier to selecting priority areas for advancements and further development.
This session will present the findings of new Rapid e-Trade Readiness Assessments of the LDCs conducted by UNCTAD.
The assessments by UNCTAD provide the current e-commerce and digital trade situation in selected countries and serve as a tool for LDCs to identify opportunities, barriers and relevant policy measures. A number of these assessments are being conducted under the umbrella of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) partnership.
The session will begin with opening remarks and a short presentation by UNCTAD of the latest findings from the Rapid e-Trade Readiness Assessments. The session will then explore key challenges and opportunities of e-commerce in LDCs through a panel discussion with representatives of LDCs, donors, EIF, UNCTAD and the private sector.
Objectives and Target Audience:
- Use the event as a platform for presenting findings from Rapid E-Trade Readiness Assessments and raise awareness among governments, civil society, partners and donors
- Define practical solutions and measures for strengthening the e-Trade readiness of the LDC countries who have participated in the assessments
- Bring together government decision makers, professionals and leaders working on e-trade to exchange ideas, experiences and perspectives
Guiding Questions/Issues
- What are the key challenges communities, companies, and governments in LDCs face to embrace the digital dimension of international trade?
- How can countries capitalize on the Rapid e-Trade Readiness Assessments to develop national e-commerce strategies and promote trade and inclusiveness for sustainable development?
- How can we foster a dialogue around e-commerce and trade in the digital economy that engages micro, small and medium sized enterprises to support policy change from the ground up?
- What are some practical solutions for implementing the recommendations made in the Rapid e-Trade Readiness Assessments done to date?
- What is required in terms of financial support from governments, donors and the private sector to support the development of e-commerce in LDCs?
*Additional registration required for this event: http://tsds.ictsd.org/register
