Trade enriches people’s lives by opening markets, creating jobs and giving businesses more ways to grow. Digital trade can extend those benefits by making it easier for smaller businesses to find customers, work with suppliers and reach new markets.
These papers set out the case for digital trade and explain why its benefits are still out of reach for many businesses. Smaller firms often face fragmented services, uncertainty about which providers to trust and limited time or expertise to put new tools to work.
We propose Digital Business Communities (DBCs) as a practical response. Built around established business relationships, they bring together trusted information, services and trading opportunities in one place. Proactive management helps businesses use those services, find new trading partners and build the skills to trade digitally.
Read the abstracts below and download the full papers.
OECD modelling indicates that coordinated improvements in border automation, documentation and agency cooperation could raise global goods exports by up to 18%. Yet fragmented support, limited awareness and implementation difficulties slow adoption by smaller businesses.
This paper proposes that organisations with large business client or membership bases establish and own their own Digital Business Communities (DBCs). Each DBC would provide a proactively managed one-stop digital shop for compliance support, digital tools, training and introductions to new trading partners.
The authors’ organisations and specialist partners can help owners build, launch and manage their communities. For micro-enterprises and cooperatives in developing economies, these communities can also connect practical training with progression into higher-value supply-chain activities and access to more affordable finance.
ICC United Kingdom estimates that digital trade could unlock £25 billion in trade growth and £224 billion in annual efficiency savings. Yet fragmented support, limited awareness and implementation difficulties slow SME adoption.
This paper proposes that organisations with large business client bases establish and own their own Digital Business Communities (DBCs). Each DBC would provide a proactively managed one-stop digital shop for compliance support, digital tools, training and introductions to new trading partners.
The authors’ organisations and specialist partners can help owners build, launch and manage their communities.