Embracing the E-commerce Revolution in Asia and the Pacific

Asia is the world's largest e-commerce marketplace and continues to grow rapidly. Some countries lead. Others need to catch up. An efficient e-commerce marketplace requires information and communication technology infrastructure-including internet access, speed, and affordability-along with logistics, an effective legal and institutional framework, and social acceptance and awareness. This report reviews the opportunities and challenges in developing business-to-consumer e-commerce in the region. It also examines how Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies-blockchains, the internet of things, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and 5G wireless networks, among others-will transform the industry and unlock its dynamic potential. It also offers policy recommendations to help lower barriers to e-commerce development.