Shaping policy for small and mediumsized enterprise exports in cross-border e-commerce

In this paper, the author examines the opportunities and challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in cross-border e-commerce. Drawing on the identification by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development of 47 internal and external trade barriers, the author highlights the complexity of SME participation in international markets and reviews how specific e-commerce solutions have helped mitigate some of these barriers. Three strategic approaches for government intervention are proposed: (1) adopting targeted support measures tailored to the diverse needs of SMEs, including export promotion and partnerships with integrated e-commerce platforms; (2) implementing pilot projects to test and refine policy interventions; and (3) leveraging regional frameworks, in particular the Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-border Paperless Trade, to enhance SME engagement in Asia and the Pacific.