Issues and Responses for Asia Pacific Digital Trade Activation

Purpose : This paper addresses emerging topics in designing effective and appropriate policy responses with limited existing regulations in place and with clear challenges ahead that effectively address movement of data and data localization. Research design, data, and methodology : In this study, a literature research method is adopted mainly to analyze the response to digital trade in the Asia-Pacific region. Results : Effective and efficient regulatory policies can support continuing economic growth in the digital economy. Poorly managed or badly implemented policies, by contrast, can easily disrupt the continuing growth of digital trade. In particular, problematic policies and regulations can make it difficult or impossible for the smallest firms in Asia to continue to share in the fastest growing sectors of the economy. Conclusions : Given the overwhelming importance of small firms to every country in Asia, failure to create supportive policies for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) will impede the region’s attempts to create sustainable and inclusive trade for the future. Digital trade is the future of trade. It binds countries together. Done well, it allows the smallest firm the opportunity to become a micro-multinational company with customers and suppliers around the globe. Done poorly, digital policies can trap firms and customers into sub-standard outcomes.