Priorities of digitalization in international trade: the experience of driver countries in digital transformation

Digitalization has fundamentally transformed the landscape of international trade, unlocking opportunities to enhance the efficiency, transparency, and accessibility of trade processes. This study analyzes the priorities of digital transformation in international trade with a focus on the experiences of leading countries. Secondary data sources were used, including global reports, such as the Global Digitalization Index by Huawei, the E-Government Development Index, the World Digital Competitiveness Index, the Global Innovation Index, and the Digital Intelligence Index with its subindices: Digital Evolution and Digital Trust. Additionally, the AI Preparedness Index (AIPI) by the International Monetary Fund was employed to provide insights into countries' readiness to adopt artificial intelligence. Trends in digitalization and trade were explored using data visualization and statistical analysis. Through correlation analysis, the index with the highest correlation to the World Digital Competitiveness Index was identified, allowing for a deeper examination of the factors influencing the digitalization of economies and trade over the past decade. The case study method was applied to analyze the top 10 countries, revealing best practices, lessons learned, and recommendations for leveraging digital technologies to enhance trade development. The study's findings highlight the critical role of digital infrastructure, e-commerce penetration, ICT adoption levels, and regulatory frameworks in shaping trade dynamics. The conclusions offer practical recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders aiming to optimize digitalization strategies and improve competitiveness in international trade.