- When: 23 February 2022, 3:00PM – 4:30PM (Bangkok Time)
- Registration: to register for this event, please click here.
To help the Asia and Pacific region move forward in accelerating trade digitalization, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), in cooperation with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), and with the support of the United Nations Network of Experts for Paperless Trade and Transport in Asia and the Pacific (UNNExT), has been organizing an ongoing webinar series on Accelerating Cross-border Paperless Trade Facilitation.
The webinar series covers emerging issues and trends related to facilitation of cross-border paperless trade, including digitalized exchange of import and export supporting documents, intelligent information sharing, use of advanced technologies for procedural harmonization and simplification, enhanced private-public sector cooperation under digital trade environment, etc.
Unlocking the Potential of Cross-border Digital Services Trade
As part of the series, on 23 February 2022 a webinar on Unlocking the Potential of Cross-border Digital Services Trade will bring together various experts on the field. Rapid digitalization amidst the COVID-19 pandemic is spurring the growth of services trade. The pandemic has further prompted the transition of economic activities into the digital mode of transactions for a wider range of services. Mobility restrictions and physical distancing during the pandemic is accelerating digitalization of provision of services across borders. Digital services trade is expected to grow further post pandemic from risk management and cost-efficiency perspectives.
Asia and the Pacific has seen rapid growth in digital services trade from 17% to 24% of global share between 2005 and 2020, and is at the forefront in such areas as business process outsourcing and information and technology services. Yet, the region is still behind other advanced economies such as the EU and North America in the share of digital services exports out of total goods and services exports, which translates into lower revealed comparative advantage for the region.
In order to unlock the potential of digital services trade, Asian countries need to invest in human and physical capital, expand ICT infrastructure and improve the regulatory and policy environment. Trade liberalization and domestic reforms could reinforce the positive impacts. This webinar will shed light on these crucial issues and explore ways to harness that digital services trade offers to the region.
Agenda
- Mr. Kijin Kim, Economist, Economic Research and Regional Cooperation Department, Asian Development Bank (ADB)
- Mr. Oswald Kuyler, Managing Director, Digital Standards Initiative, International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
- UNESCAP
- Introductory Video Clip
- Mr. Rolando Avendano, Economist, Economic Research and Cooperation Department, ADB
- Definition, Scope and Overview
- Ms. Pramila Crivelli, Economist, Economic Research and Regional Cooperation Department, ADB
- Drivers, Economic Impacts and Policies
Moderator:Mr. Jong Woo Kang, Principal Economist, Economic Research and Cooperation Department, Asian Development Bank (ADB)
- Ms. Rupa Chanda, Director, Trade, Investment and Innovation Division, UNESCAP – Country experiences: challenges and policy recommendations
- Ms. Jane Drake-Brockman, Industry Professor, Institute of International Trade, University of Adelaide – The role of international cooperation
- Mr. Henry Gao, Associate Professor, Singapore Management University – Data flows and legal framework
- Mr. Oswald Kuyler, Managing Director, Digital Standards Initiative, International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) – Standards and industry perspectives