The WTO plays an important role as a bridge between the world's resources, investments and industries, and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, women entrepreneurs and supportive communities.
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As ministers and senior officials from around the world gather in Abu Dhabi for the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) of the World Trade Organization (WTO), I am honored to attend as a member of the WTO Director-General's Business Advisory Group and speak on I felt honored. “Reglobalizing Trade for People and Planet” panel on February 27th.
The panel discussion focused on a topic closest to my heart: the power of cross-border e-commerce. As a veteran of his 30 years in the e-commerce industry, I am amazed at how e-commerce not only contributes to the country's economic growth, but can also change common lives at the grassroots level by empowering individual sellers. I've come to understand that. A more comprehensive system.
It's a personal journey for me too. I entered the e-commerce industry in 1999, two years before China joined her WTO in 2001. It was an exciting and transformative time for China, and the whole world was changing with the spread of the Internet.
Riding this wave of excitement, I founded the e-commerce website Joyo.com in 1999, followed by my current company DHgate.com in 2004. Since then, DHGATE Group has been at the forefront of e-commerce, connecting millions of users. Entrepreneur with supplier/manufacturer in China.
Going back 20 years, China's cross-border e-commerce market reached $330 million last year. Although this sector is still small compared to other sectors, year-on-year it grew by 15.6%, much faster than any other type of trade.
Today, as China's e-commerce booms, I represent China and the 10-member organization established by WTO Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to strengthen engagement with the World Trade Organization. As part of the Business Advisory Group, I am proud to share my experience at the forefront of the industry. Facilitate dialogue on relevant issues in the complex multilateral trade landscape.
As the founder of the DHGATE Group, I have consistently paid attention to the issue that cross-border e-commerce is no longer just for large corporations and international conglomerates. With the advancement of the digital economy and global logistics networks, many of DHgate's customers are Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) operating through digital storefronts.
The proliferation of social media and digital payments has further opened the door for small-scale entrepreneurs to reach and empower underserved communities such as women, students, and people working outside the traditional workplace. It's encouraging.
What was difficult five years ago and impossible nearly a decade ago, these individuals can now run global e-commerce businesses with the help of social media such as WeChat, TikTok, and Instagram. Now it looks like this. Use social commerce platforms like his MyyShop from DHGATE Group from anywhere.
Recognizing this trend, I have driven several initiatives and programs, including online and offline workshops, to help our clients reach their full potential. Since launching the APEC Cross-Border E-Commerce Training Program (APEC CBET) in 2014 and the APEC Women Connect (AWC) initiative in 2016, we have reached over 500,000 MSMEs, 40% of which are women-led. , their continued success and integration into the global e-commerce community.
AWC is recognized and supported by the United Nations, APEC, and G20 member countries as a way to empower women through inspiring sharing, practical learning, and effective recognition and awards. Thanks to the expansion of global trade, transportation and logistics, customers and suppliers can now live and work anywhere in the world.
Breakthroughs in AI and technology are automating and streamlining many of your back-end operational needs, providing valuable insights through data collection, aiding product design, and even cost-effective processes such as 3D. further strengthen e-commerce MSMEs by expanding through printing.
At the same time, DHgate recognizes the rise of new complexities and challenges in international trade, particularly the fragmentation or deglobalization of world trade, which may threaten many of these gains. MSMEs and women entrepreneurs in developing and least developed countries (LDCs) are particularly vulnerable.
Other challenges threatening to reverse the global progress of the past two decades include limited market access due to regulatory barriers, limited supply chain infrastructure, limited access to finance for MSMEs, and ongoing challenges in some countries. Examples include the digital divide between the rich and the poor.
I hope that the WTO will continue to evaluate the potential of electronic commerce. Although member states have reached an agreement to extend the suspension of e-commerce obligations in 2022, I believe that this kind of digital We recommend that barriers be permanently banned.
The WTO plays an important role as a bridge between the world's resources, investments and industries, and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, women entrepreneurs and supportive communities. Capacity-building tools that promote digital inclusion and policies that promote timely cross-border and barrier-free trade are key to ensuring that the trend of re-globalization continues for the benefit of member states around the world. There are two methods.
Diane Wang is the founder, chairman and CEO of DHGATE Group and a member of the WTO Director-General's Business Advisory Group. Founded in 2004, DHgate.com is the leading cross-border B2B e-commerce marketplace, connecting 59.6 million buyers and 2.54 million sellers in 225 countries and territories. . In 2020, DHGATE Group launched social commerce SaaS platform MyyShop.
