Quick Win No. 9
Provide equitable and accessible capacity building to ensure that developing economies, SMEs and women can benefit from growing e-commerce opportunities.
The surge in e-commerce provides a wealth of new opportunities for businesses that can adapt. But not everyone is equally prepared to make the transition. In a global context of digital divides and skills gaps, we need to ensure that e-commerce benefits us all. Fostering the inclusion of smaller firms, women and youth-led firms, especially those in developing economies, is crucial. A fundamental skills gap relates to digital entrepreneurship. One study has found that one of the greatest challenges highlighted by participating firms was accessing information on how to run an online business. Moreover, there are skill gaps among negotiators and policymakers involved in the ongoing discussions on e-commerce, and those charged with putting in place or implementing regulatory frameworks linked with e-commerce. To address these diverse gaps, facilitating equitable access to relevant and comprehensive capacity building programs is key.
In response, the JSI on E-commerce recently announced a new E-commerce Capacity Building Framework. It includes the creation of the DATA Fund pilot, under the World Bank Umbrella Trade program, that will help countries adopt policies and regulations that enhance trust in digital markets and undertake a specialized training for policymakers. It also includes digital capacity building programs by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and Singapore across cybersecurity, digital transformation, and e-commerce-related programs to support developing members’ participation in the e-commerce negotiations.
These activities complement ongoing efforts across international organizations (IOs) to support policymakers and firms. These include programs like the ITC’s ecomConnect Initiative that creates a virtual community of digital entrepreneurs and accompanies them on their journey to sell online with a tailored learning program in conjunction with partners including eBay, DHL, Etsy, PayPal and Payoneer. UNCTAD’s eTrade for All provides a skills development platform for entrepreneurs and policymakers, offering courses from IOs on relevant aspects of e-commerce, including a group dedicated to inspiring women digital entrepreneurs. The ITC SheTrades program connects over 3 million women to global markets with training focused on digital transformation, digital marketing and digital payments.
Yet, to meet the prevailing needs and provide equitable access to training programs, especially for SMEs and women-owned firms in developing economies, more comprehensive, targeted and inclusive programs are needed. Moving forward, a strong commitment to technical assistance and capacity building, including the potential establishment of a fund/program, should be included in the final text of an E-commerce agreement. The text could also include specific language on gender/women’s empowerment, as was done in the Services Domestic Regulation reference paper. Capacity building initiatives should also address the knowledge gaps in preparing firms and policymakers for digital trade, including, adapting business models for digital entrepreneurship, accessing relevant market information, and complying with regulations on e-commerce. Additionally, implementation of suitable national regulatory frameworks and management of cybersecurity risks also need to be included in these types of programs.