WTO JSI agreement on electronic commerce and the framework agreement on facilitation of Cross-Border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific (CPTA)

Abstract

A review of the stabilized text of an “Agreement on E-commerce” is undertaken to identify potential linkages to the CPTA implementation. The JSI agreement is different in nature as well as much broader in scope than the CPTA but includes a section on Enabling electronic Commerce covering issues related to paperless and cross-border paperless trade, including an article dedicated to paperless trade(ing) and another on electronic single window and interoperability. The provisions related to paperless trade in the JSI text are found to be consistent with the general principles and other provisions included in the CPTA. They remain essentially non-binding in nature and provide parties with much flexibility, and limited guidance and how they may be implemented. In that context, the dedicated and inclusive intergovernmental framework established by the CPTA provides an effective way for the Parties of CPTA to implement the paperless trade-related provisions featured in the JSI text. The countries in Asia and the Pacific keen on pursuing their trade digitalization efforts and that have not yet acceded to CPTA are therefore encouraged to accede to it as soon as possible.