途上国のデジタル化支援　電子商取引を促進へ―ＷＴＯ有志国

　【ジュネーブ時事】世界貿易機関（ＷＴＯ）で電子商取引のルール作りに関する有志国交渉に参加している日本とオーストラリア、シンガポールは１３日、共同議長として閣僚声明を発表した。途上国の参加を促すため、デジタル分野の支援を促進することを盛り込んだ。
　声明は「電子商取引は新型コロナウイルス禍からの経済回復にとって極めて重要だ」と強調。一方で、「途上国はそのメリットを十分に受けられていない」として、電子商取引の拡大を後押しする必要性を訴えた。
　日本は、国際協力機構（ＪＩＣＡ）や日本貿易振興機構（ジェトロ）を通じた支援策を検討している。（2022/06/13-22:10）

Japan, Australia and Singapore, key World Trade Organization members in the area of e-commerce, on Monday released a statement calling for assistance to promote digitalization in developing countries.
   E-commerce "is of critical importance to the modern global economy and is driving the global recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic," said the statement by the three countries serving as co-governors in WTO negotiations to establish e-commerce rules.
   "While the digital economy offers benefits for all, including by reducing trade costs, improving productivity and increasing ability to participate in export markets, least developed and developing countries face barriers in achieving these aims," the statement also said.
   The Japanese government is considering extending support via the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Japan External Trade Organization.
   At present, 86 economies participate in the negotiations on e-commerce rules, which began in 2019. They aim to conclude the talks within 2022.