Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what support her Department gives to legislators overseas to increase their capacity effectively to regulate the growing technology and digital trade sectors in their countries.

DFID’s Digital Strategy puts technology at the heart of its future aid offer, including by providing support to developing economies to make the most of digital opportunities.

On digital trade specifically, at the World Trade Organisation’s 11th Ministerial Conference the government supported the statement signed by 71 members to make digital trade easier across the world. These discussions are open to all members and recognise the specific challenges faced by developing countries.

At the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in April, the UK and other Commonwealth member states adopted a Declaration on the Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda for Trade and Investment, with the goal of expanding investment and boosting intra-Commonwealth trade to US$2 trillion by 2030. Also, the Secretary of State, alongside the President of Kenya, launched a Digital Finance Champions Group to drive innovation to improve financial access for the most vulnerable people in societies.