ICRIER, UNESCAP Lead Talks on E-commerce Policy and MSME Exports

As digital commerce continues to transform global trade dynamics, the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) and UNESCAP Subregional Office for South and South-West Asia (SSWA) are jointly organising the Second Asia-Pacific E-commerce Policy Summit in New Delhi on November 3-4, 2025. The summit is being held in partnership with Startup India (DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry), Amazon India and Express Industry Council of India.

A key highlight of the summit will be the launch of Amazon India’s Exports Digest 2025, which will present insights on the growing contribution of Indian small businesses to global e-commerce exports through the company’s Global Selling programme.

Dr. Shekhar Aiyar, Director & CE, ICRIER noted, “The APAC region is witnessing a remarkable growth in the e-commerce sector, with an estimated value that is expected to exceed USD 6.146 trillion by 2030. With the growing global trade uncertainties, this summit aims to empower businesses, strengthen digital trade and promote digital growth. It aims to create a platform for collaborations, partnerships and showcasing country’s best practices.”

Charting a Collaborative Digital Trade Agenda for the Region

The event comes at a time when digital exports are emerging as a new growth engine for India’s economy. With MSMEs increasingly leveraging online marketplaces to reach global consumers, stakeholders see e-commerce as a key enabler for India’s target of achieving $2 trillion in exports by 2030.

The two-day summit will bring together senior policymakers, global experts, and industry leaders to deliberate a unified and inclusive digital trade framework in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. Featuring senior representatives from the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Women & Child Development, Skill development, Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and leading global think tanks. The discussions will focus on MSME enablement, paperless cross-border trade, digital inclusion, and emerging technology regulation. 

Through plenary and thematic sessions, participants will explore ways to strengthen the policy ecosystem supporting e-commerce exports, enhance MSME participation, and foster greater regulatory coherence across APAC economies. Discussions will also highlight the growing role of technology including AI, data interoperability, and digital payment systems, in shaping the next phase of trade facilitation and policy harmonisation.