CAREC Institute Chai Talk: The Legal Foundation of Digital Trade — Practical Barriers to Cross-Border E-Commerce

The CAREC region stands at a critical juncture where digital transformation offers unprecedented opportunities for economic integration and growth. Yet the promise of a digitally connected CAREC corridor remains constrained by fragmented legal and regulatory frameworks that hinder cross-border digital trade. Despite progress in digital infrastructure and trade facilitation, regulatory misalignment and weak coordination across member countries continue to limit intra-regional trade.

Digital trade holds transformative potential for the region, but significant legal and regulatory hurdles remain. Differences in legislation and administrative procedures rather than the absence of laws are among the most immediate and tangible barriers. These include divergent requirements for electronic transactions and digital signatures, incompatible approaches to data protection and cross-border data flows, uneven consumer protection regimes, and non-harmonized customs and payment procedures.

During this Chai Talk, e-commerce and digital trade associations from the CAREC countries will explore the shift from general principles of regional cooperation toward a more pragmatic examination: Which disparities in legislation and administrative procedures currently impede cross-border e-commerce within the CAREC region, and in what areas can nations already progress toward greater regulatory compatibility without requiring full legislative unification? The session will facilitate a comparison of regulatory frameworks, identify shared obstacles for businesses, and determine sectors suitable for incremental rule alignment or mutual compatibility, potentially paving the way for pilot initiatives to jointly tackle specific cross-border challenges.

Format: Online via Zoom with simultaneous interpretation in English and Russian

Register here: https://carecinstitute-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_GCxvZ9bJSlaSnferocGz1A

About the CAREC Institute Chai Talk:

The CAREC Institute Chai Talk is an informal forum that brings together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders from the CAREC region and beyond for interactive discussions on topics such as economic trends, public policy, and sustainable development. Held in a relaxed setting over tea (“Chai”), these sessions encourage open dialogue, active participation, and the exchange of ideas. By fostering knowledge sharing and networking, the Chai Talk series supports collaboration and addresses key regional challenges to advance economic development and cooperation.