Operational aspects of support programmes for the digital transformation of exporting small and medium-sized enterprises in the Republic of Korea

Because international trade is essential for the Republic of Korea’s economic growth and development, the government actively promotes exports by large companies and especially by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Several programmes support participation by SMEs in cross-border e-commerce, which may have contributed to their rapidly rising exports through this channel. This report reviews selected programmes implemented by the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME) and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA). To maximize the programmes’ impact, KOSME and KOTRA apply a circ…

Digital transformation of SMEs for cross-border trade and e-commerce in the Republic of Korea: insights for Latin America and the Caribbean

The rapid evolution of digital technologies has reshaped global business, forcing not only large but also small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to embrace digital trade. Nevertheless, many SMEs are struggling to fully implement digital technologies. Against this backdrop, the Republic of Korea has bolstered its support for SMEs, with a focus on human capital development, financing, and research and development. Furthermore, the country has revised its trade regulations and frameworks, placing significant emphasis on digital capacity-building and the alignment of regulations with internatio…

SIDS 4: Now or never for small island survival

Intergenerational relations: creating a world for all ages so that no one is left behind

This paper, prepared jointly by the five regional commissions of the United Nations, explores the social and economic challenges and opportunities of demographic shifts towards multigenerational societies across the countries covered by the five regional commissions. It discusses the latest evidence on demographic trends and intergenerational relations, labour markets, social protection, care, living arrangements and digitalization across regions, and it provides recommendations to build societies for all ages. With a strong interdisciplinary and interregional focus, the paper addresses interg…

Comercio electrónico transfronterizo en América Latina y el Caribe: análisis a partir de las visitas a plataformas en línea de comercio entre empresas y consumidores

La falta de datos detallados dificulta el análisis del comercio electrónico transfronterizo en América Latina y el Caribe. En este trabajo se utiliza la base de datos Marketplace Explorer de América Latina y el Caribe, de la Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL), el Centro de Comercio Internacional (ITC) y la Universidad de Ciencias Aplicadas de Ámsterdam, sobre tráfico de visitas a plataformas en línea de comercio electrónico entre empresas y consumidores. Los datos muestran que las diez mayores economías de la región concentran más del 90% del tráfico transfronterizo dir…