Output
1) Study and Analysis (Study Report)
The study will conduct a cross-cutting analysis of digital trade disciplines set out in major agreements, particularly those relating to data security/protection and cross-border data transfers, to identify commonalities and divergences and to assess options for governments to ensure effective implementation and compliance. The agreements presently in scope are CPTPP, RCEP), AANZFTA, DEPA, and the U.S.-Japan Digital Trade Agreement, USMCA and PA.
The economies initially envisaged for this inquiry are [tenatively Japan, China, Vietnam, Singapore, Australia, and the United States] . It is intended to develop an evidence base through interviews and related outreach to firms operating in these economies Depending on the availability of interview participants and the final budget, the scope may be narrowed.
To identify best/good practices as well as hindrances to global digital
trade based on the above study.
To prepare a study report of minimum 80 pages excluding annexes. The duration of the study is expected for four months, and the report should be finalised prior to SOM2 of 2026 (for the planned workshop for capacity building).
2) 1-Day Workshop (In-Person and Virtual)
To hold one-full day Workshop (in-person and virtual) at SOM2 in 2026. It will be attended by policy makers and experts from all APEC economies, who are engaged in policy formulation or/and trade agreements negotiations in the area of digital trade, as well as businesspersons/entities who are involved in digital trade.
The workshop aims to provide a capacity building opportunitiy for participating officials. It will expand and upgrade their knowledge and perspective in digital trade provisions and policy that will redsuce cost and further facilitate the digital trade in the region by introducing the hindrances derived from the disparities in legal settings and good practices, as well as direct opinions from the business sector.
100 participants (60 from APEC economies, 20 from the business sector, 10 academics, 10 from international organizations)
- Introduction and Key note speeches
- Personal information protection
- three presentations (at least one presentation is from the business sector)
- discussion among panelisets
- Q&A (between participants and panelists)
(3) Cross-border data flow
- three presentations (at least one presentation is from the business sector)
- discussion among panelisets
- Q&A (between participants and panelists)
(4) Wrap-up (including a survey on the workshop though online)
Virtual participation (no limit on the number) is possible including Q&A and virtual participants can attend either the morning session (Personal information protection) or the afternoon one (cross-border data flow).
An online survey will be in placed during and at the end of the workshop.
3) Study Report (APEC Publication)
A study report of minimum 80 pages excluding annexes will be provided at the end of the project. The duration of the study is expected for five months, and the draft report should be finalized in prior to SOM2 of 2026 (for the planned workshop for capacitybuilding).
As the report’s content will be refined in light of the study’s findings, it is a bit premature to set out detailed contents at this stage. Broadly, however, we envisage a structure comprising: (i) Executive suummary, (ii)Research scopoe and Mathodology, (iii)a cross-cutting legal analysis of the relevant disciplines across the agreements; (iv) a survey and analysis of business realities and challenges in the target countries; and (v) best- practice and recommendations for both the private and public sectors, informed by the foregoing analyses, (vi) Project summary report.
Outcome
1) Increase in participants knowledge/understanding on trade agreements (provision) in the region in the area of Digital Trade. This outcome will be measured by pre-event survey and post-event survey.
2) Member economies will have better understanding in the importance of trust and credibility in Digital Trade. This outcome will be measured by pre-event survey and post-event survey.
Beneficiaries
Beneficiaries of the project will include APEC economy officials, especially officials to be engaged in trade negotiations for FTAs/RTAs in the area of digital trade and E- commerce. The project will also target representatives from the business sector (ex. ABAC members). Beneficiaries will be invited to the planned workshop and participate in the discussions.
