THE World Trade Organisation (WTO) workshop to discuss developments in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and the implementation of the Information Technology Agreement (ITA) will take place on September 16 in Geneva.

The workshop will examine how trade in ICT products has helped countries around the world combat COVID-19. It will also allow government officials to engage with the private sector and representatives of the IT industry on trade covered by the ITA and how the agreement is used as a development tool.

The ITA was concluded by 29 participants in 1996 and will mark its 25th anniversary in December, 2021. Its current 82 participants account for 97 per cent of world trade in IT products. The participants commit to eliminating tariffs on IT products covered by the agreement.

The ITA workshop will allow participants to share experiences and examine how ICT has brought about socio-economic benefits, opportunities and challenges in relation to the digitalisation of the global economy.

Attendees will also discuss the prospects and challenges for further expansion of trade in ICT products and participation in the ITA and possible future work on non-tariff barriers.