While significant progress has been made in digitising trade, businesses continue to face challenges ranging from verifying overseas counterparties and trade documentation to navigating regulatory requirements and accessing financing. The discussions focused on two interconnected priorities: improving SMEs access to financing, and strengthening cross-border business identity to facilitate more confident transactions.

The discussions focused on two interconnected priorities: improving SMEs access to financing, and strengthening cross-border business identity to facilitate more confident transactions.

By understanding where trust breaks down across the trade lifecycle, we hope to better appreciate how verification, interoperability and cooperation can address these gaps.

As ASEAN advances its digital economy integration agenda, translating policy ambition into practical solutions will require closer collaboration across a range of stakeholders.

We look forward to continuing our collaboration with participating organisations and translating these discussions into practical next steps.
‍