BACKGROUND
E-commerce and digital trade have grown significantly in recent years, impacting how countries and enterprises participate in international trade. Digital ordering and delivery can especially offer island nations new opportunities to reach markets overseas. There is a growing need to measure these developments as a foundation for policies to manage the risks and maximise the benefits of digital trade. The Handbook on Measuring Digital Trade, published jointly in 2023 by the IMF, OECD, UNCTAD and WTO, and endorsed by UN Member States through the UN Statistical Commission in 2024, provides a foundation for relevant statistics by setting out the conceptual framework for digital trade. It also presents real-world efforts undertaken by countries to measure elements of digital trade. This workshop builds on similar successful events targeting countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the workshop are to:
- Provide an introduction to the Handbook with the aim of imparting knowledge that participants can leverage to develop digital trade statistics in their own countries; and
- Raise awareness of the technical assistance available to countries and provides guidance on accessing the support.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
The intended outcomes of the workshop are:
- Understanding Digital Trade Concepts: Participants can explain key concepts of digital trade, their distinctions, interrelationships, and relevance for policymaking.
- Measuring Digital Trade: Participants can identify key data sources, assess their strengths and challenges, and learn from country practitioners developing digital trade statistics.
- Accessing Support: Participants are aware of the technical assistance offered by international organizations to improve the measurement of digital trade, including services trade statistics.