ADB’s developing member countries are working towards harnessing technology to boost economic growth, expand employment opportunities, and improve service delivery. However, there needs to be a supportive legal and regulatory environment with clear laws to secure online transactions and provide legal certainty to paperless trade. Furthermore, government officials and the private sector require knowledge and capacity to support a safe, efficient, and effective digital economy. At the same time, digital transformation must be more inclusive to ensure that no one is left behind.
Our Impact
ADB’s Law and Policy Reform Program recognizes that for digital technology to have sustainable development impact, more investment is needed in building the legal infrastructure and capacity building. We do this by:
Enabling a Conducive Environment for the Growth of the Digital Economy
- Deepening knowledge and enhancing national and regional expertise on legal and regulatory frameworks for e-commerce
- Conducting diagnostics and identifying legal and regulatory barriers to effective and efficient e-commerce
- Facilitating policy dialogue and supporting legal and regulatory reforms
Digitalizing Trade
- Closing the legislative gap in recognizing digital documents for trade
- Assisting client countries with drafting legislation based on UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records (MLETR) to permit the legal use of electronic documents of title domestically and across borders
- Capacity building of government officials and private sector
Partnership with the ICC Digital Standards Initiative and UNCITRAL
Developing the Fintech Industry
- Assessing existing legislative and regulatory frameworks for FinTech
- Developing roadmaps and legal and regulatory frameworks for FinTech
- Strengthening the capacity of regulators and industry associations
Sharing Knowledge and Ideas
- Developing e-learning courses for government officials and private sector
- Facilitating workshops on e-commerce, digital trade, and FinTech
“I extend my appreciation to ADB and experts. The pandemic has shown that electronic e-commerce is a big benefit to the economy… this research will help us in future decision-making when improving the legislative framework.”
Nurlan Dzhusumaliev, Head of Trade, Policy and Export, Ministry of Economy and Commerce, Republic of Kyrgyzstan
Success Stories
ADB, Cambodia’s Ministry of Commerce, and DFDL Law Conduct Stakeholder Consultation on E-Commerce Code of Conduct
ADB Office of the General Counsel, through its Law and Policy Reform Program, in collaboration with Cambodia's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) and legal and tax firm DFDL, conducted a two-day stakeholders’ consultation workshop on the draft prakas on the Code of Conduct on the Intermediaries and E-Com
ADB Partners with Kyrgyz Republic to Review Nation's Legal Framework for E-Commerce
To help the Kyrgyz Republic transform its legal frameworks to modernize and catch up to electronic transactions, ADB drafted a report that reviews the legal framework for e-commerce in the country.
ADB Partners with Mongolia to Strengthen Legal Framework for E-commerce
ADB partnered with the Ministry of Digital Development and Communications (MDDC) of Mongolia to strengthen the nation’s legal framework for e-commerce. To achieve this, ADB delivered an expert report that reviewed the legal framework for e-commerce in Mongolia and provided recommendations for enhancement and international harmonization.
In Action
ADB Supports Online Learning on e-Commerce for Cambodia Government Officials
ADB and the Trade Training and Research Institute (TTRI) of the Ministry of Commerce co-organized an e-learning workshop on e-commerce via the website of the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI).
ADB conducts workshop on the Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records (MLETR) in Tbilisi
ADB’s Trade and Supply Chain Finance Program and the Law and Policy Reform Program hosted more than 50 government officials and representative from private sector to discuss the Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records (MLETR), in conjunction with the Georgia Revenue Service and Digital Standards Initiative and UNCITRAL.
ADB, CAREC Secretariat and PRC's Ministry of Commerce Convene Stakeholders on Digitalization of Trade Documents
ADB’s Trade and Supply Chain Finance Program and Law and Policy Reform Program, along with CAREC Secretariat and People´s Republic of China (PRC) Ministry of Commerce gathered over 50 government and private sector representatives in Beijing to discuss potential legislation recognizing electronic trade aligned with UNCITRAL’s Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records (MLETR).
Knowledge Resources
Final Report - TA-6618 Reg Enabling a Conductive Environment for The Digital Economy - English Translation
A report summarizing the outcomes of e-learning modules developed to support the Enabling a Conducive Environment for the Digital Economy Technical Assistance program.
E-Learning: Introduction to E-commerce
This practical course covers various e-commerce concepts and explains the fundamentals on what e-commerce is, who can be part of it, how it works, and harnessing technology for business and economic growth.
Enabling A Conducive Environment for the Digital Economy in the Kyrgyz Republic Module
This module has been developed for the Kyrgyz Republic to inform and provide tools to government officials, entrepreneurs, and businesses, enabling them to connect to the global community through e-commerce.
Events
ADB Hosts Artificial Intelligence Regulatory Models Expert Discussion
Artificial intelligence (AI) brings many potential benefits and opportunities but also practical and ethical concerns and risks to society. Governments must understand its advantages, protect users, as well prevent unintended consequences that can lead to existential crisis within their countries and globally. ADB hosts an engaging webinar that aims to answer the big questions related to AI Regulatory Models.
ADB, Cambodia’s MOC, and DFDL Conduct Stakeholder Consultation on E-Commerce Code of Conduct
ADB, in collaboration with Cambodia's MOC and DFDL Law, conducted a two-day stakeholders’ consultation workshop on the draft prakas on the Code of Conduct on the Intermediaries and E-Commerce Service Providers (prakas) pursuant to Cambodia’s Law on E-Commerce.
ADB Presents on Enabling a Conducive Environment for the Digital Economy at the Virtual Side Event of UN ESCAP's Third Ministerial Conference
Gretchen Aquino of the Asian Development Bank's Office of the General Counsel participated in the panel discussion at the virtual side event at the UN ESCAP’s Third Ministerial Conference on Regional Cooperation and Integration in Asia and the Pacific.