JAKARTA, INDONESIA – August 8, 2025 – In conjunction with the 6th ASEAN Online Sale Day , key policymakers and industry leaders are gathering today for a Regional Policy Roundtable titled "Digital Trade in Motion: Tackling E-Commerce Headwinds and Policy Priorities in ASEAN". The virtual event aims to foster dialogue on the evolving landscape of e-commerce and digital trade across the region.
The roundtable addresses the concept of "digital trade in motion," which describes the seamless cross-border movement of goods, services, and data that defines the modern global economy. While this transformation offers significant opportunities to broaden economic participation and foster innovation, it also presents new complexities and policy considerations for e-commerce.
The event commenced with welcome remarks from Ms. Asnor Vidya Nor Azmi, Director of the Digital Trade Section at MATRADE and the 2025 Chair of the AOSD Task Force. "As we mark this year’s 6th ASEAN Online Sale Day, it is useful to consider how digital trade is evolving. This roundtable provides a valuable platform for dialogue among policymakers and industry leaders to explore policy approaches that balance national priorities and regional aspirations," Ms. Azmi stated.
The agenda is structured to address the most pressing topics in the sector, including:
· An overview of the Digital Economy in ASEAN presented by the Tech for Good Institute.
· Key findings from the World Economic Forum's "Annual Business Survey on ASEAN’s Digital Economy 2025," delivered by Mr. Simon Lacey.
· A panel discussion on e-commerce headwinds featuring industry experts, covering regulatory pressures, digital trust, online scams, and the need for AI integration. Key speakers include Ms. Mel Nava, CEO of 1export; Ms. Yah Shze Min, Vice-Chair of the Global Anti-Scam Alliance ; and Mr. Dato' Fadzli Shah, Co-Founder of Zetrix.
The session will be moderated by officials from the Digital Economy Division of the ASEAN Secretariat, who will also provide a summary and synthesis of the discussions. Closing remarks will be delivered by Ms. Denisse Cheska Enriquez of the Department of Trade and Industry of the Philippines.
This high-level dialogue underscores ASEAN's commitment to creating a resilient and innovative digital ecosystem that can navigate current challenges and harness future opportunities in the global digital economy.