DEVELOPMENT OF UKRAINE'S DIGITAL TRADE POLICY REGARDING CROSS-BORDER DATA FLOWS

Introduction. The study focuses on cross-border data flows, which are a component of digital trade, which, in turn, is a component of global and local digital economies. The research is aimed at shaping a model for regulating cross-border data flows in Ukraine and designing polycyclic and logical models for digital trade policy making. Materials and methods. The study is based on the analysis of the WTO and EU regulatory framework on digital trade, e-commerce and cross-border data flows provisions contained in free trade agreements and digital trade agreements of Ukraine and its trading partners, analytical reports of international organizations, results of scientific research by foreign and domestic scientists. To describe the process of digital trade policy development, the general methodology and methods of policy analysis, the policy cycle model and the logic model of policy development are used. General scientific methods are also used - comparative analysis to identify models of regulation of cross-border data flows in EU countries based on the Digital Trade Restrictions Index and generalization and classification of information to study the provisions on the policy of regulation of cross-border data flows in regional trade agreements based on the TAPED database. Results and discussion. An analysis of the implementation of Ukraine’s digital trade policy with an emphasis on regulating cross-border data flows within the framework of European integration, as well as Ukraine’s preferential trade agreements with other countries, shows that a hybrid model of digital trade is being implemented in Ukraine. Some EU members have a hybrid model of digital trade – mostly small economies with a relatively large service sector. The experience of these countries shows that in Ukraine, despite the conventional EU model, a hybrid model of digital trade close to a liberal one can be developed. Conclusions. The polycyclic model of policy making for regulating cross-border data flows in Ukraine is an effective tool for taking into account the interconnected stages of the policy process, in particular, policy formulation, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and adjustment. It allows for a faster response to technological and regulatory changes in the global environment.