During the Working Session on the Work Programme on E-Commerce at the World Trade Organization’s 13th Ministerial Conference on February 29, India highlighted the importance of digital industrialization in driving economic growth and prosperity, especially for developing countries and Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
India underscored the importance of providing all WTO members with policy options to promote digital industrialization, highlighting the dominance of a few firms from developed countries in the global e-commerce landscape. The country pointed out the existing digital gap between developed and developing nations, posing challenges to the increased participation of developing countries in global e-commerce.
With the ongoing digital revolution and the adoption of technologies like additive manufacturing, 3D printing, data analytics, Artificial Intelligence, and Internet-of-Things, India stressed the need to re-evaluate the implications of the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions, especially for developing countries and LDCs.
India emphasized the necessity for developing countries to enhance their domestic physical and digital infrastructure, establish supportive policy and regulatory frameworks, and build digital capabilities. India highlighted its own digital transformation driven by innovation and swift implementation.
Through its Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) approach, India is promoting innovation, democratizing technology, and fostering a competitive ecosystem for digital businesses. The DPI has sparked a national technology revolution across various sectors including commerce, healthcare, payments, e-governance, and citizen services. India’s experience demonstrates that a comprehensive focus on digital infrastructure, skills, education, and enabling policies has accelerated widespread digitalization.