Digital Trade & Transformation (Online Session)

Digital trade agreements (DTAs) are instrumental in expanding the benefits of the digital economy in emerging Asia. Moreover, economies in Asia and the Pacific have been the key architects of trade rules for the digital era. DTAs set trade rules and economic collaboration in the digital economy and establish the minimum framework in which data and transactions are performed digitally among economies. For consumers and small and medium enterprises, these agreements enhance data protection measures and enable access to new markets.

The Asia Foundation, in partnership with AustCham Lao, will run a 1-hour Online Session with AustCham's Members and Non-Members on the topic of Digital Trade & Transformation in the ASEAN region. The online session will explore the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) and Lao PDR's awareness of and preparedness for this agreement. The speakers will discuss lessons from existing digital trade and digital economy agreements in the region, and how these lessons will shape the impact that the DEFA has in the Lao PDR.

During the second-half of the session there will be a question and answer session with an open discussion to explore AustCham's members' views and on the topic.