interoperability
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The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) recently published a study titled “The Potential Use of Blockchain in International Trade and its Facilitation” (International Trade Series No. 188, 2025). The report highlights how blockchain technology can reshape cross-border trade by fostering transparency, traceability, and efficiency in global supply chains. A Disruptive Technology… Read more
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The European Union’s Global Gateway (GG) has been presented as the Union’s flagship initiative to mobilise up to €300 billion in sustainable infrastructure and connectivity investment worldwide between 2021 and 2027. More than four years into its implementation, however, the strategy still faces the challenge of moving from political ambition to practical delivery. A recent… Read more
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The recently published report Ten Wins for Trade 2025 highlights ten concrete ways in which international trade has delivered prosperity, growth, and improved livelihoods worldwide. Among these achievements, one of the most transformative—and increasingly urgent—is the shift towards digital and paperless trade. From Burden to Breakthrough For decades, trade transactions relied on paper-heavy processes: physical… Read more
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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 as both an opportunity and… 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 1958, a law that had… 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 Chains,” reveals that EU companies… 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 to boost the EU’s competitiveness… Read more
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Europe’s Single Market Strategy: Building a Simple, Seamless, and Strong Economic Home in an Uncertain World
In a time of growing geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, and global competition, the European Single Market remains one of the EU’s greatest achievements and most powerful tools for ensuring prosperity, stability, and resilience. With an impressive €18 trillion GDP, representing nearly 18% of the global economy, the Single Market serves as the backbone of Europe’s… Read more
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The 2025 APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting concluded in Jeju, Republic of Korea, on May 16, 2025, with a joint statement outlining significant decisions aimed at fostering regional economic resilience and cooperation. Key Decisions: These decisions reflect APEC’s commitment to addressing contemporary trade issues, fostering new ideas, facilitating economic growth, and building momentum toward… Read more
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Digital Economy Agreements in Asia and the Pacific: Strategic Insights and Emerging Trends
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) publication “Digital Economy Agreements in Asia and the Pacific” explores how countries across the region are navigating the rapid transformation of trade in the digital era. Digital Economy Agreements (DEAs) are becoming critical frameworks for fostering cross-border digital trade, ensuring regulatory coherence, and promoting economic integration in a landscape increasingly… Read more
