Reports
APEC Workshop: Towards Digital Trade Ecosystem in the Asia-Pacific Region
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is a regional economic forum established in 1989 to leverage the growing interdependence of the Asia-Pacific.
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is a regional economic forum established in 1989 to leverage the growing interdependence of the Asia-Pacific.
APEC ensures that goods, services, investment and people move easily across borders. Members facilitate this trade through faster customs procedures at borders; more favorable business climates behind the border; and aligning regulations and standards across the region.
APEC ensures that goods, services, investment and people move easily across borders. Members facilitate this trade through faster customs procedures at borders; more favorable business climates behind the border; and aligning regulations and standards across the region.
APEC has helped drive economic growth and cooperation across the Asia-Pacific by reducing trade barriers, improving the ease of doing business and strengthening connectivity among economies. These efforts have contributed to rising incomes, expanded trade and greater opportunities for businesses and communities across the region.
APEC has helped drive economic growth and cooperation across the Asia-Pacific by reducing trade barriers, improving the ease of doing business and strengthening connectivity among economies. These efforts have contributed to rising incomes, expanded trade and greater opportunities for businesses and communities across the region.
APEC brings together governments, businesses and stakeholders to collaborate on shared priorities. Explore opportunities to participate in events, contribute to initiatives and engage with APEC’s work across the region.
APEC brings together governments, businesses and stakeholders to collaborate on shared priorities. Explore opportunities to participate in events, contribute to initiatives and engage with APEC’s work across the region.

Reports
•August 2025
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975KB
Published Under
Committee on Trade and Investment (CTI), Digital Economy Steering Group (DESG)
Accessed
398
Pages
16
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are a driving force of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) region, generating 7 out of 10 jobs and contributing up to 40% of gross domestic product in emerging markets. However, as the global economy evolves into a more interconnected and digital landscape, the survival and growth of MSMEs hinge on their ability to embrace hybrid business models that blend physical operations with digital innovation. This Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) project aimed to strengthen policymakers’ ability to 1) facilitate “integrative” policies that enable MSMEs to participate in physical and digital channels; 2) develop “balanced” policies that do not inadvertently favor one channel over another; and 3) collect purpose-driven data (quantitative information that reflects a company’s business operations, e.g., customer engagement) from originating platforms (physical or digital) to inform policy decisions.