IGF 2017 WS #137 Trust and trade across borders: shaping future international e-commerce from developing countries

Short Title
Trust and trade across borders: e-commerce

Proposer's Name: Mr. James Howe

Proposer's Organization: International Trade Centre

Co-Proposer's Name: Mr. Jorij Abraham

Co-Proposer's Organization: The Ecommerce Foundation

Co-Organizers:

Mr. James HOWE, Senior Adviser, International Trade Centre Mr. Jorij ABRAHAM, Managing Director, The Ecommerce Foundation

Additional Speakers
  • Adam Schlosser, Project Lead, Digital Trade and Data Flows, World Economic Forum
  • Mme. Korotoum DIABATE – Secrétaire Général – La Poste de Côte d’Ivoire
  • Hanne Melin Olbe, Director Global Public Policy, eBay

 

Agenda

Setting the scene: James Howe, Senior Adviser, ITC (7 minutes)

  • What are the barriers to trade across borders as perceived by SMEs from developing countries?
  • In what way does trust impact the ability to trade through e-commerce channels?
  • How is ITC working to reduce these barriers and build trust?

Adam Schlosser, Project Lead, Digital Trade and Data Flows, World Economic Forum (7 Minutes)

  • Impact of new technology on driving trade 
  • Concerns around data protection 
  • Roles of regulators 

Maria Umoren, Alumnus of Judge School of Management (former Relationship Manager, Zenith Bank, Nigeria. 7 minutes)

  • What are the trends in e-commerce usage in Africa?
  • What are the particular barriers to trust in the usage of e-commerce that are experienced in Nigeria and Africa in general?
  • What can be done to reduce barriers of trust and develop e-commerce?

Mme. Korotoum DIABATE, Secrétaire Général – La Poste de Côte d’Ivoire  (en français)

  • Roles that Postal services play in generating trust for E-Commerce
  • Case study - La Poste de Côte d’Ivoire

Hanne Melin Olbe, Director Global Public Policy, eBay (7 minutes)

  • Lessons from the history of ebay: how reputation building between buyers and sellers builds trust and stimulates international trade
  • New opportunities and trends in building trust online and across borders

 

Facilitated discussion with the floor and selected contributions received online during the opening presentations, 55 minutes

  • How can trust be increased among consumers and professional buyers to engage in cross border trade with firms from developing and least developed countries?
  • What examples can be offered where trust has been improved, and as a consequence cross border trade through e-commerce channels increased?
  • What can be done at an international level to build on these examples and ensure that cross border trade through e-commerce channels is facilitated for firms from developing and least developed countries?