New Delhi, November 5, 2025: The 2nd Asia-Pacific E-commerce Policy Summit concluded in New Delhi yesterday, focusing on shaping the region’s digital trade and e-commerce agenda. Organised by the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), with support from the Startup India, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Government of India, the two-day summit brought together policymakers, business leaders, and experts from across the Asia-Pacific region to strengthen collaboration for inclusive, paperless, and sustainable cross-border commerce. MSL, Amazon and the Express Industry Council of India joined as Knowledge Partners.

Building on the success of its inaugural edition in 2024, the Summit has emerged as a premier platform for advancing policy dialogue on digital trade, paperless commerce, and MSME integration into global value chains, reinforcing India’s role in fostering inclusive and technology-driven growth across the region.

Dr. Sasmit Patra, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, in his keynote address, said, “E-commerce must become a two-way street, connecting India’s villages to global markets. Its true power lies in enabling livelihoods, empowering women, and ensuring inclusion through interoperability and innovation. Democratizing FinTech and data governance will be key to building an equitable digital trade ecosystem.” 

He also highlighted that policy should make it easier for MSMEs to start exporting through innovative models such as allowing intermediaries to hold inventories on behalf of MSMEs for exports.

Ms. Caralyn Khongwar Deshmukh, Additional Secretary, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, in her special address, stated, “E-commerce platforms have become vital gateways to sustainable livelihoods. By removing layers of intermediaries and geographical barriers, digital marketplaces empower sellers to reach customers directly, set competitive prices, and retain a greater share of income.”

Dr. Shekhar Aiyar, Director & CE, ICRIER, in his welcome address, stated, “The Asia-Pacific E-Commerce Policy Summit is a timely opportunity to bring together policymakers, industry leaders, and experts to shape the future of digital trade in our region. As the APAC economy continues to drive global growth, our focus must be on making this progress inclusive, empowering women, MSMEs, and marginalised communities to participate fully in digital and cross-border trade. I look forward to two days of meaningful dialogue that will help build a more resilient and digitally empowered trade ecosystem.” 

Mr. Pramod Bhasin, Chairman, ICRIER, during his address said, “As India advances toward its vision of Viksit Bharat@2047, trade, technology, and skills will shape the next phase of our growth story. The Asia-Pacific region must work together to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 17, which calls for stronger partnerships across nations. The Second Asia-Pacific E-Commerce Policy Summit is an opportunity to build these partnerships, foster trust in digital trade, and create pathways for inclusive growth. With India emerging as one of the fastest-growing e-commerce markets, collaboration across governments and businesses will be key to driving innovation, enabling MSMEs, and empowering women to participate fully in global trade.”

The Summit included participation from senior policymakers and representatives from the region like H.E. Mrs. Chea Ratha (Secretary, Royal Government of Cambodia) and H.E. Mr. Nicholas McCaffrey (Charge De Affairs, Australian High Commission, India) and Dr. Yann Duval (Chief, Trade Policy and Facilitation Section, UNESCAP) and thought leaders across the region who discussed strategies to boost cross-border e-commerce, enhance digital inclusion, and strengthen resilient trade networks. The discussions focused on deepening cooperation between public and private sectors to drive MSME participation and align the region’s digital economy with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). MSME representatives also shared how platforms like Amazon through Global Selling program are enabling Indian entrepreneurs and small business to cater to international customers through the use of technology.

Two landmark publications were launched during the summit:

• ICRIER–RIS Joint Study Report, ‘India and the Framework Agreement on Cross-Border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific (CPTA): State of Play and Way Forward’, authored by Dr. Arpita Mukherjee, Professor, Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), Dr. Prabir De is Professor, Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), Mr Tahseen Ahmad Khan, Member, Advisory Committee, UNNExT and
• Preview of Amazon Global Selling’s Exports Digest 2025, spotlighting the rapidly growing contribution of Indian MSMEs to global e-commerce exports.

Mr. Srinidhi Kalvapudi, Head of India Global Selling, Amazon India, said: “India’s export strengths and manufacturing hubs—from established clusters in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu to emerging centers in smaller towns—are helping Indian brands and MSMEs reach customers worldwide. Between 2015 and 2025, Amazon has enabled over $20 billion in cumulative e-commerce exports from India, and we’re now aiming for $80 billion by 2030. Global demand for ‘Made in India’ products is growing fast across categories like health and personal care, home décor, apparel, and toys. At the Asia-Pacific E-commerce Policy Summit, we’re collaborating with policymakers and industry leaders to strengthen India’s export ecosystem by simplifying global selling and expanding reach beyond metros.” 

Over two days, the Summit featured seven thematic sessions and high-level policy dialogues, addressing the most critical dimensions of the region’s digital trade transformation:

• High-Level Policy Dialogue on “Digital Empowerment of Women: Connecting Them to Regional and Global Value Chains” hosted by UNESCAP, featuring ministers and senior officials from Bhutan, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
• Panel on Enabling Seller Growth in APAC’s E-commerce Ecosystem, exploring logistics innovation, digital literacy, and MSME access to cross-border markets, with participation from Amazon, the Australian High Commission, Cambodia and India’s Ministry of Textiles.
• Panel on Unlocking Investment Opportunities in Technology and Trade, focusing on AI, blockchain, and digital infrastructure financing, with experts from the Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India and the Korea Trade Network (KTNET).
• Panel on Cross-Border Paperless Trade featuring the release of the ICRIER–RIS CPTA Report, outlining frameworks for seamless regional trade integration.
• Plenary on Collaborating for Growth: Enabling Women Empowerment, highlighting inclusive frameworks for women entrepreneurs across APAC.
• Panel on Building Consumer Trust Through Secure Cross-Border Payments led by experts from India, South Korea and Thailand and UN.
• Panel on AI Regulation and Its Impact on Digital Trade featuring voices from Amazon, the World Bank, and Northeastern University, USA.

Dignitaries from more than 12 countries, including Australia, Bhutan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam, participated in the Summit alongside senior Indian government representatives from the Ministry of Textiles, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), and NITI Aayog.

The Summit was designed to promote actionable cooperation between governments, international organisations, and industry stakeholders to accelerate digital trade integration in Asia-Pacific. It also sought to create frameworks that make trade more efficient, transparent, and inclusive positioning India as a key bridge for digital connectivity across the region.

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