This month, we highlight progress on DSI's refreshed strategy and governance, support for legal reform in key markets, industry initiatives to accelerate digital trade adoption, and new thought leadership.
If you received this newsletter indirectly and
wish to subscribe, click here to join our mailing
list.
Industry
Finalising DSI's strategy for the next phase. The DSI Governance Board recently completed an intensive two-day workshop to finalise the strategy and organisational changes needed to deliver interoperability across digital trade standards, trust and identity. The strategy, including a refresh of DSI's advisory board network, will be released shortly.
Exploring the Trade Document Object (TDO). On 5 August, ICC DSI, together with Teesside University and the Asian Development Bank, hosted a webinar on the Trade Document Object (TDO) proof-of-concept. Participants heard from experts on how machine-readable, standards-aligned trade documents could reduce duplicate data entry, improve interoperability, and accelerate digital trade. Watch the webinar recording and access related resources via the Digital Trade Navigator's Tech Tools module.
Driving eBL adoption through industry insights. Through the FIT Alliance, ICC DSI is supporting a new industry survey to capture key details of electronic bills of lading (eBLs) implementation from pilots to live deployments. Insights into challenges overcome, adoption timelines, and tangible benefits will help accelerate eBL uptake across global trade. Complete the survey and help build the evidence base needed to support wider adoption.
Legal
Supporting India's digital trade legislation. On 24 July, ICC DSI met with India's Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) to discuss the proposed Digital Trade Facilitation Bill 2026 and opportunities for collaboration. DSI will support the development of the legislative and implementation framework through international best practices, implementation experience, and capacity-building initiatives.
Advancing MLETR alignment in Spain. DSI met with ICC Spain and leaders in its Banking and Commercial Law and Practice Commissions to discuss how to accelerate business advocacy and engagement to accelerate alignment of Spain's legal framework with MLETR.
(Left) India: ICC DSI engages DGFT on digital trade legislation | (Right) Spain: ICC DSI meets with ICC Spain to advance trade digitalisation and MLETR alignment.
Advancing digital trade in Indonesia.
On 20 August 2026, the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, together with the ASEAN-UK Economic Integration Programme (EIP) with support from ICC DSI, will convene a Private Sector Forum in Jakarta on digital trade, trade finance digitalisation, and electronic trade documentation. Bringing together businesses, banks, logistics providers, technology companies, and industry associations, the forum will explore practical steps to accelerate digital trade adoption and strengthen Indonesia's competitiveness. The forum will be preceded on 19 August by a separate, invitation-only workshop for senior government officials and policymakers focused on public sector readiness for digital trade transformation.
Scaling trade digitalisation through interoperability. ICC DSI and Trade Treasury Payments (TTP) have released “Trade digitalisation: which way to scale?”, capturing insights from the DSI roundtable held in London on 5 May 2026. Bringing together trade finance leaders, policymakers, and industry stakeholders, the publication explores the growing momentum behind eBL adoption, MLETR implementation, and interoperable digital infrastructure, while highlighting practical steps to scale trade digitalisation globally. Read the article and download the full publication here.
AI opportunity in trade finance. ICC DSI was facilitator of an executive roundtable on "Capitalising on the AI Opportunity in Trade Finance", featured in FCI's Annual Review 2026. Bringing together industry leaders from Singapore, Türkiye and Peru, the discussion explored how AI is reshaping trade finance through greater efficiency, enhanced risk management, and improved customer experience, reinforcing DSI's leadership in driving digital innovation and promoting the adoption of emerging technologies across global trade. Read full article here.
Kind Regards,
The ICC Digital Standards Initiative Team
Contact
33-43 avenue du Président Wilson, 75116 Paris, France
You are receiving this email in the framework of your professional collaboration with ICC.
Please use this link should you wish to update your subscription preferences or unsubscribe from ICC emails. For any question you may have regarding the processing of your personal data by ICC or its affiliates, please contact the ICC Global Data Protection Officer at dataprotection@iccwbo.org.
