E-commerce Measurement Methodology: Saudi Arabia And UNCTAD Forge A Reliable Framework

Saudi Arabia is working with the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) on a detailed system to measure e-commerce and digital trade, with the organisation confirming that the Kingdom is among the first states worldwide to adopt a scientific, trusted approach aligned with international standards.

The initiative is intended to quantify the size and value of online trade in Saudi Arabia, track how businesses use digital channels, and evaluate the value of related transactions, while also monitoring sector growth and competitiveness across different activities.

UNCTAD experts reported during discussions that the joint framework with Saudi Arabia seeks to support digital economy policies, refine regulations, and improve government services provided to the business community, with a particular focus on data that reflects how companies engage in e-commerce and digital trade.

The E-Commerce Council has established a working group, chaired by the council’s secretariat and including 11 government bodies, to supervise this measurement project and coordinate with UNCTAD on technical aspects, definitions, and data collection methods needed for the system.

The 68th regular meeting of the E-Commerce Council, chaired by Minister of Commerce Majid Al-Kassabi and attended by representatives of 25 government entities, hosted a workshop where UNCTAD outlined how the framework would operate across all recognised e-commerce classifications.

According to UNCTAD, the new measurement tools are designed to align with internationally recognised definitions, which is expected to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s position in global discussions on e-commerce data, while supplying policymakers with consistent numbers that can be compared with other economies.

Saudi Arabia e-commerce growth, regulation and seasonal demand

Council members also reviewed ongoing cooperation with international organisations and local government entities aimed at simplifying e-commerce procedures, analysing existing rules, and determining which regulatory or procedural adjustments would better support online trade activities in the Kingdom.

The Transport General Authority presented its plan to manage increased demand for delivery services during peak seasons, highlighting that Ramadan, national occasions, and holiday periods usually bring a sharp rise in online purchases, which directly leads to higher postal shipment volumes handled within Saudi Arabia.

The wider project is expected to help Saudi Arabia monitor these patterns more accurately, support planning for logistics capacity, and provide updated data for both public and private sectors, while the SPA report noted that the information was issued at 02:19 local time, corresponding to 23:19 GMT under reference 0005.

With inputs from SPA