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Thailand stands at a pivotal moment in its digital transformation journey. With ambitions to reach high-income status by 2027, the country views the digital economy as a critical driver of growth and resilience. Within this broader ambition, digital trade—the exchange of goods and services enabled by cross-border data flows—has emerged… Read more
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India’s Landmark Maritime Overhaul: Understanding the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025
India has entered a new era of maritime governance with the enactment of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025, which received the assent of the President on 18 August 2025. This legislation marks a turning point for the country’s shipping and trade sectors, as it replaces the Merchant Shipping Act of… Read more
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France Becomes First European Union Country to Fully Embrace Digital Trade Instruments
Paris, August 14, 2025 – France has taken a historic leap into the digital age of global trade. With the publication of Decree No. 2025-811 in the Journal Officiel, the country has fully transposed the UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records (MLETR) into its national legal framework. The reform,… Read more
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The APAC State of Open Banking and Open Finance (2025): Landscape, Progress, and Regional Insights
The 2025 report titled “The APAC State of Open Banking and Open Finance”, jointly developed by the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF) and the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI), offers a detailed and comprehensive assessment of how Open Banking and Open Finance (OBOF) are evolving across the Asia-Pacific (APAC)… Read more
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Building Europe’s Digital Trade Future: DigitalTrade4.EU’s Vision for eFTI and Beyond
The DigitalTrade4.EU consortium has issued a comprehensive proposal aimed at shaping the future of digital trade in Europe. At the core of its recommendations is the belief that a fully digital, interoperable, and secure Single Market is not only essential for economic growth but also critical for Europe’s defence resilience… Read more
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EU Businesses Scramble to Recalibrate Supply Chains Amid Global Trade Turmoil
Brussels, June 27, 2025 – Faced with rising global trade tensions and escalating geopolitical uncertainty, European Union businesses are scrambling to adapt their supply chains, according to a new report from the European Investment Bank (EIB) released today. The report, “Shock Waves from Turbulent Times: How EU Businesses Recalibrate Supply… Read more
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The UK’s Trade Strategy 2025: A Blueprint for Resilient Growth in a Changing World
In June 2025, the UK government unveiled its new Trade Strategy, a comprehensive plan to steer the nation through an increasingly turbulent global trading environment. In an era defined by geopolitical realignments, rising protectionism, and rapid technological change, this strategy marks a decisive shift toward a more agile, resilient, and… Read more
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EU International Digital Strategy: Summary and Recommendations for Businesses and Governments
On 5 June 2025, the European Commission and the EU High Representative unveiled a new International Digital Strategy – a joint vision guiding the EU’s external digital policy. This strategy positions the EU as a stable and reliable partner, open to digital cooperation in a challenging geopolitical landscape. It aims… Read more
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Navigating the Legal Landscape of Distributed Ledger Technology in Trade: A UNCITRAL Perspective
The United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) has prepared a draft guidance document addressing the legal issues surrounding the use of distributed ledger technology (DLT) in international trade. This document, developed through several sessions of UNCITRAL, aims to provide commercial operators with a comprehensive overview of the legal… Read more
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T20 South Africa’s High-Level Recommendations to the G20: A Blueprint for Global Transformation
The T20 South Africa, acting as the official think tank engagement group of the G20, has released its High-Level Recommendations Communiqué ahead of the G20 Summit hosted by South Africa. This comprehensive document outlines critical policy directions aimed at tackling pressing global challenges, with a strong emphasis on amplifying the… Read more