SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure | SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Institutions: Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) | Ministry of Commerce and Industry
UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) announced new funding of 4 million Swiss francs from Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) to support its E-commerce and the Digital Economy Programme through 2029. This contribution aims to give fresh impetus to developing countries, helping them better integrate into and capture value from the fast-evolving digital economy.
The announcement was made on October 21, 2025, during the UNCTAD16 conference in Geneva. Switzerland emphasized its support for an environmentally sustainable digital economy and the strengthening of the multilateral digital trading system. The funds will enhance the program’s capacity for innovative research, technical cooperation, and fostering intergovernmental consensus. The program supports developing nations with eTrade readiness assessments, e-commerce strategies, measuring the digital economy, and promoting initiatives like eTrade for Women.
This renewed funding ensures sustained international support for critical digital governance projects. It provides India and its partner countries in the Global South with continued access to UNCTAD’s expertise in designing digital trade laws and e-commerce strategies, directly supporting the Digital India and Make in India export mandates.
What is an eTrade Readiness Assessment?→ An eTrade Readiness Assessment is a structured diagnostic tool used by UNCTAD to evaluate a developing country’s readiness to participate in and benefit from the digital economy. The assessment examines the country’s performance across seven key policy areas related to e-commerce, such as legal frameworks, trade logistics, payment solutions, and digital skills, to identify gaps and recommend necessary reforms and strategies.
What is the E-commerce and the Digital Economy Programme?→ The E-commerce and the Digital Economy Programme is a technical assistance and consensus-building initiative run by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Its core purpose is to help developing and least developed countries fully integrate into the global digital economy and ensure they capture value from the fast-evolving digital space. The program supports countries by providing research, offering technical cooperation (such as eTrade readiness assessments), aiding with e-commerce strategies, and driving policy debates on critical issues like data governance and digital entrepreneurship for women.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: What steps will the Ministry of Commerce take to utilize UNCTAD’s e-trade readiness expertise to ensure Indian MSMEs and digital exporters can successfully navigate global data governance challenges?
Follow the full news here: https://unctad.org/press-material/new-funding-switzerland-boost-inclusive-digital-economy