Electronic commerce

Trade, including both exports and imports, has played a central role in the development of many developing economies in the region. Over the last five years or so, between 15 and 20 per cent of world trade in goods and services originated in the developing ESCAP region. Also, for the majority of these economies, export and import ratios to GDP are significantly larger than the world average. In a worldwide context as well, trade has assumed an increasingly important role in driving economic progress: it is one of the major causes and signs of globalization. The dynamism which has characterized the trade sector over the past two decades, concomitant with the increasing liberalization of tariff and non-tariff barriers, is now being revolutionized and regenerated by the phenomenon of electronic commerce, particularly facilitated by the use of the Internet.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Decent Work and Economic Growth

Reduced Inequalities