1. Key Policy Questions and related issues:
How are entrepreneurs and small businesses, particularly across the Global South, affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and how digital economy can support their survival and recovery?
What policy barriers to participation in the digital economy, exposed by the COVID-19 crisis, are entrepreneurs urgently facing?
At a local or international level, how can local businesses communities, civil society, government, and multilateral institutions work together to develop a common policy frameworks and other approaches for inclusive digital economies?
2. Summary of Issues Discussed:
This session identified key barriers that businesses are facing when reopening during the COVID-19 crisis and transitioning to the digital economy. For instance, entrepreneurs and small businesses across emerging markets are struggling to participate in the digital economy due to existing challenges of accessibility and affordability of the internet as well as a lack of digital skills. At the same time, inadequate or absent policies and regulatory frameworks that facilitate competitiveness and access to global markets continue to undermine the development of an inclusive digital economy. To address these challenges, multi-stakeholder dialogues on digital transformation at the local, regional, and international levels must be a key priority to ensure inclusive digitally-enabled economic growth in the post-COVID-19 era.
7. Reflection to Gender Issues:
The session explored specific barriers that women are facing when seeking to participate in the digital economy. Overall, the pandemic aggravated pre-existing gaps of the digital divide, which disproportionately affect women. The speakers agreed that since the COVID-19 pandemic, women are becoming more entrepreneurial as they transition businesses online. Yet, many women entrepreneurs still lack the digital and financial skills needed to participate fully in the digital economy. In addition, inadequate or misguided legislation on the digital economy undermines the advancement of gender inclusion in the digital space.
10. Voluntary Commitment:
During the session, panelists made voluntary commitments to continue contributing to multi-stakeholder conversations focused on building inclusive digital economies. For instance, Rainer Heufers stated that the Center for Indonesian Policy Studies (CIPS) will continue to look at issues impacting the digital economy and actively participate in policy dialogues focused on digital transformation in Indonesia. Likewise, Juliet Nanfuka from the Collaboration on International ICT Policy in East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) said that her organization will continue to encourage diverse stakeholders to participate in policy fora impacting the digital space. The recent passing of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), provides unique opportunities for diverse stakeholders to advance dialogue across Africa on how to shape and govern the digital economy in a way that promotes greater regional cohesion, development, and competitiveness. Mary Rose Ofianga Rontal mentioned that she will continue to equip local entrepreneurs in the Philippines, many of whom are women, with digital skills needed to make the digital economy inclusive. Finally, Nicole Primmer highlighted that the Business at Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) will continue to develop research, tools, and best practices on the digital economy that are applicable around the world as governments and other stakeholders continue to explore policy options.