With ICTs, trade opportunities multiply, particularly in sectors of crucial importance to developing countries such as tourism. The Internet helps investors identify opportunities in less known markets. Commodity producers can now find and match price information. Trade knowledge is shared through distance learning. And cumbersome customs clearance and trade procedures are simplified.

To maximize the opportunities these new technologies offer for economic development, UNCTAD helps developing countries formulate national ICT policies and use different ICT applications to promote their economic development and trade.

UNCTAD’s participation in the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) supports governments in their quest to harness ICTs for economic development.