# About

The Digital Trade Initiative aims to build an inclusive global digital trade ecosystem by addressing fragmented regulations, inconsistent standards, and cross-border barriers like data localization and complex customs. These challenges hinder MSMEs and developing economies, widening the digital divide through limited access to infrastructure and skills. By harmonizing standards, fostering interoperability, and supporting capacity-building, the initiative bridges public-private gaps to create equitable policies that drive innovation, sustainable growth, and global participation in digital trade.


## Initiatives

These initiatives champion inclusivity, innovation, and sustainability by bridging sectors, empowering MSMEs, and fostering collaboration for a fair and resilient digital economy.


## DEAL group

The Digital Economy Agreement Leadership (DEAL) Group is a global community dedicated to fostering a seamless and inclusive global digital economy. By bridging digital divides, promoting safety, and connecting the private and public sectors, the group works toward harmonizing standards, empowering innovation, and driving sustainable growth that benefits businesses and communities worldwide.

[Learn more](https://initiatives.weforum.org/digital-economy-agreement-leadership-group/home)


## ASEAN DEAL

The ASEAN Digital Economy Agreement Leadership (ASEAN DEAL) project supports ASEAN’s transition to an inclusive and sustainable digital economy. By providing tools such as a digital economy agreement depository, insights from annual business surveys, and capacity-building workshops for DEFA negotiators, the project enables informed policymaking, fosters collaboration, and advances regional digital trade integration.

[Learn more](https://www.asean-deal.org/home)


## PAGA

PAGA is a joint WEF-IDB Lab initiative that aims to expedite digital payments in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Since 2021 we have established a community of 750+ public and private sector representatives to explore how to best unlock the true benefits of digital payments in LAC in an open, inclusive, and safe manner.

[Learn more](https://www.pagainitiative.org/)


## TradeTech

The TradeTech Initiative unites start-ups, investors, exporters, and supply chain firms to develop innovative trade technologies. Partnering with the UAE, the World Economic Forum has launched a three-year project to transform global trade. Leveraging advanced technologies and streamlined processes, the initiative fosters collaboration and accelerates solutions through a business incubator and regulatory sandbox, creating a more efficient and inclusive global trading system.

[Learn more](https://www.tradetechglobal.org/home)


## Digital Trade Development Program

This initiative addresses key barriers to making e-commerce and digital trade accessible to MSMEs worldwide by focusing on policy, connectivity, finance, logistics, and skills. It supports governments in implementing practical reforms by engaging local and global stakeholders and leveraging the World Economic Forum’s proven success in advancing trade and investment facilitation. By combining top-down support with bottom-up design, the program delivers rapid, sustainable results, improving the ease of cross-border digital business for MSMEs.

[Explore](https://initiatives.weforum.org/digital-economy-agreement-leadership-group/home)


### Get involved

Join a global community driving collaboration, innovation, and solutions to advance an inclusive and sustainable digital economy.

[Get involved](https://initiatives.weforum.org/digital-trade/get-involved)