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impact on supply chains is already clear, optimising shipping routes, anticipating disruptions, and
sorting shipments. But so far, its integration has been piecemeal and fragmented. In front of us is
the opportunity to come together as policymakers, trade bodies, logistics hubs, and private
businesses and reshape international commerce—from its digital infrastructure to its regulatory
frameworks,” he said.

“Today’s discussions, and the wider TradeTech Initiative, will play an important role in inspiring the
change this requires. It is our responsibility to now harness these ideas and drive forward global
trade for the benefit of all,” Al Zeyoudi added.

The discussions during the knowledge-sharing session, which will inform the second TradeTech
Initiative Report, covered the impact of AI on global trade regulations, the preparedness of emerging
markets for digitised trade, AI’s role in improving trade forecasting, and how companies can bridge
emerging skills gaps in their workforces.

The featured speakers included Tim Stekkinger, Head of TradeTech Initiative at the World Economic
Forum, Prof. Marek Kowalkiewicz, Founding Director of the Centre for the Digital Economy at
Queensland University of Technology, Wolfgang Lehmacher, an international expert in supply chain
and logistics, and Philippe Isler, Director of the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation.

Tim Stekkinger, Head of the TradeTech Global Initiative at the World Economic Forum, stated,
“Artificial intelligence is not merely a tool for tackling trade's traditional challenges—it’s a catalyst
for reimagining trade as we know it. Through robust public-private partnerships and collaboration
across the entire trade ecosystem—from producers to policymakers, logistics providers to
consumers—we can harness AI's full potential to create a more efficient, sustainable, and inclusive
global trade landscape that drives shared prosperity for all."

The TradeTech Initiative was launched by the Ministry of Economy in collaboration with the World
Economic Forum and the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development at Davos in January
2023, with the goal of inspiring the integration of advanced technologies throughout global supply
chains. The first year of the initiative resulted in the first TradeTech Report and the inaugural
TradeTech Forum in Abu Dhabi, which coincided with the 13th Ministerial Conference of the WTO.

https://www.wam.ae/en/article/b1w4c22-harnessing-fdi-for-driving-trade-report-launched