GCC-Stat Workshop Aims To Strengthen E-Commerce Statistics For Digital Economy Growth
The Statistical Centre for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC-Stat) has initiated a regional workshop focusing on e-commerce and digital economy statistics. This event, which began on Monday, gathers representatives from various GCC entities, including national statistical agencies and central banks. The two-day workshop aims to enhance the ability of these bodies to collect and analyse data on e-commerce, thereby supporting informed economic policymaking and fostering GCC statistical integration.
Dr. Hajar El Haddaoui, Director-General of the Digital Cooperation Organisation, highlighted the critical role of digital data in policymaking and sustainable development. She emphasised that measuring the digital economy is essential for creating an inclusive digital environment. This effort can drive employment, foster innovation, support SMEs, and ensure opportunities for all societal segments, including women and youth.
Intisar bint Abdullah Al Wahaibi, Director-General of GCC-Stat, pointed out the rapid changes in the global economy due to e-commerce's rise. She noted that the Gulf region has seen significant growth in this sector due to advanced digital infrastructure and national transformation strategies. According to UNCTAD reports, global e-commerce sales surpassed $27 trillion in 2022.
Al Wahaibi also discussed challenges in accurately measuring this fast-evolving sector. Reliable data is crucial for assessing e-commerce's GDP contribution and monitoring the digital divide. The GCC Committee for Commercial Cooperation has tasked GCC-Stat with developing a mechanism for building e-commerce indicators as part of their strategic objectives.
The first session of the workshop introduced methods for measuring e-commerce and the digital economy. It covered data collection on commercial activities conducted via electronic channels. This includes sales through digital platforms between businesses and consumers or among consumers themselves. Understanding transaction volumes, types of goods traded, platforms used, and consumer behaviour is essential.
GCC Statistical Centre's Project
The second session reviewed a project by the GCC Statistical Centre aimed at improving digital and economic data quality across member states. This initiative seeks to establish a unified statistical foundation for e-commerce metrics based on international standards. It aims to enhance coordination among GCC countries by developing consistent indicators.
Measuring the digital economy involves assessing technology-driven economic activities like digital infrastructure and ICT-based job roles. The session also addressed operational definitions of e-commerce and its importance in policy development, economic diversification, and regional cooperation within the GCC.
Regionally, the GCC e-commerce market is projected to reach $33.3 billion by 2025 and $46.1 billion by 2029, with an annual growth rate of 10 percent. While this growth offers numerous benefits, it also presents challenges in measurement accuracy due to its rapid evolution.
The workshop underscores the need for timely data to support sound economic policymaking in an increasingly digital world. By strengthening statistical capacities within GCC countries, it aims to facilitate better understanding and management of e-commerce's impact on regional economies.
With inputs from WAM
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