Ulaanbaatar, December 14, 2023 /MONTSAME/. Mongolian delegation, led by Permanent Representative H.E. Ms. Gerelmaa Davaasuren participated the UNCTAD’s eWeek under the theme of “Shaping the future of the digital economy” from December 4-8,2023 in Geneva.

On the fifth day of the eWeek, a thematic session was held to launch the e-Trade Readiness Assessment of Mongolia which was jointly formulated by the Government of Mongolia and the UNCTAD between 2022-2023.

The session was opened by H.E. Mr. Uchral Nyam-Osor, Minister of Digital Development and Communications of Mongolia and Ms. Shamika Sirimanne, Director of the Division on Technology and Logistics of the UNCTAD and moderated by Permanent Representative H.E. Ms. Gerelmaa Davaasuren.

The assessment identifies the main barriers and opportunities for e-commerce development in the seven eTrade for all policy areas by providing a detailed diagnostic of the digital ecosystem and identifying key policy reforms to accelerate the transition to an inclusive and sustainable digital economy.  

Participants in the session were introduced to the main findings and recommendations and a discussion geared towards the development of a robust e-commerce and digital ecosystem was held between development partners and relevant stakeholders involved in the digital transformation of Mongolia.

The main findings per policy area are as follows:

• -Mongolia is in the initial phases of e-commerce development. Therefore, elaborating an e-commerce strategy is crucial to enhance inter-ministerial coordination and foster public-private dialogue. This will ensure that the various initiatives undertaken by key players are aligned and that the needs of stakeholders are taken into consideration.
   
• While Mongolia has a relatively well-developed ICT infrastructure, the speed and quality of Internet connection are still low compared to regional and international standards. Additionally, households in rural areas continue to face limited access to the Internet.
   
• Trade logistics and trade facilitation are major challenges in Mongolia. The country’s large territory, coupled with aging infrastructure, negatively impacts the competitiveness of the transport services sector. Improving cross-border trade and logistics is perceived as the most pressing factor for fostering e-commerce development.
   
• E-banking, mobile banking, electronic wallets, QR code payments and payment cards are widely used for domestic electronic transactions in Mongolia. However, the availability of cross-border payment options is limited.
   
• Mongolia’s e-commerce regulations only partially align with international standards and are not widely known among stakeholders. Implementation of these regulations also remains a challenge.
   
• Developing ICT skills is crucial for the future growth of e-commerce in Mongolia. There is a significant mismatch between the skills required for e-commerce and what is covered in formal education curricula. Although efforts are underway to improve access to digital solutions, most educational institutions lack the necessary equipment and qualified personnel to ensure effective learning.
   
• Limited access to financing presents a significant entry barrier for Mongolian micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) looking to engage in e-commerce. While there are some financing options available for digital and technology innovation startups, seed funding sources are limited, as most institutional lenders or grantors require evidence of organizational continuity.

Panelists of the discussion were Mr. Tapan Mishra, UN Resident Coordinator in Mongolia, Mr. Olivier Marty, Senior Advisor, Trade Strategy and Competitiveness of International Trade Centre and Ms. Julia Anderson, Economist, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.