Regional Digital Trade Integration Index (Version 1): A Guide

Abstract

The regional digital trade integration index (RDTII) results from cooperation among several United Nations Regional Commissions. Its development was initiated at ESCAP in 2020 as part of developing a broader Digital and Sustainable Regional Integration Index (DigiSRII) under a joint UN Development Account project on measuring regional integration led by ECA and jointly implemented with ESCWA. Implementation of RDTII was pilot tested in Asia and the Pacific and subsequently extended to several economies in the ECA and ECLAC regions. This guide is based on the methodology and indicators of RDTII Version 1.0. It provides essential explanations of the structure and rationale of RDTII 1.0 and guidance on data collection and sources. It is expected to give a guideline to those involved in collecting regulatory data to analyze the digital trade regulatory environment based on the RDTII 1.0 framework. It is useful also for those who will use the index and related indicators for policy analysis and drafting. The RDTII framework, a multidimensional cross-economy index of digital trade regulatory integration, is expected to require continuous adjustments as the challenges and policy trade-offs associated with fast-growing digital trade and the global digital economy are better understood. As such, this guide may be considered a living document to be updated as United Nations Regional Commissions and other partners work together further to improve the index and the data collection process.