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
On May 27-28, 2025, ADB’s Law and Policy Reform (LPR) Program organized a transformative two-day training program titled "Developing Innovative Business Models with AI in Uzbekistan" in Tashkent. Organized in collaboration with the Graduate School of Business and Entrepreneurship, the event brought together stakeholders from government, academia, industry leaders, and tech sector experts to explore the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in driving Uzbekistan's digital transformation.
On 13-16 December 2024, ADB, through the Law and Policy Reform Technical Assistance on Digital Economy (TA 6618), supported the inaugural Cambodia Digital Trade Forum and Online Expo in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
On 20 April 2024 in Tbilisi, the Asian Development Bank's Law and Policy Reform Program and Trade and Supply Chain Finance Program joined efforts with the Georgia Revenue Service, Digital Standards Initiative, and the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law in hosting more than 50 government officials and private sector representatives for a discussion on the Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records.
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 officials and private sector representatives in Beijing to discuss potential legislation recognizing electronic trade documents aligned with UNCITRAL’s Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records (MLETR).
A report summarizing the outcomes of e-learning modules developed to support the Enabling a Conducive Environment for the Digital Economy Technical Assistance program.
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.
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.
