NEW DELHI: India is likely to face pressure from developed countries to open up its ecommerce sector. G-20 has for the first time asked various countries, including India, their views on ecommerce.
In three issue notes circulated to the governments of member countries, the forum has asked for views on enhancing the readiness of countries to engage in digital trade, how the WTO can promote ecommerce and measuring the digital economy.
“The German G-20 presidency aims to develop a conceptual framework for measuring cross-border digital trade,” the grouping said. “In addition, the G-20 could explore the applicability of WTO rules for digital trade, including potential limits of and gaps within these rules, and assess its development dimension.”
A commerce ministry official acknowledged that “G-20 has sought comments on digital trade for the first time.” The issue is likely to be taken up at the G-20 meeting this yeat.