Online event
The Future is Paperless: Navigating Trade Digitalisation
Tuesday 15 July at 10:00AM
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Explore how trade digitalisation is reshaping the way UK businesses operate.
What you’ll learn
- understand the practical benefits of Electronic Trade Documents (ETDs)
- gain insights into government and industry support for digital trade
- learn how to overcome common barriers to digitalisation
Description
Join us for a dynamic panel discussion exploring trade digitalisation. With the Electronic Trade Documents Act (ETDA) now in effect, businesses can legally use electronic trade documents—unlocking opportunities to reduce costs, minimise risk, and accelerate transactions.
Chaired by the Deputy Director of Digital Trade and Telecoms, the panel will feature insights from government, industry bodies, and businesses that have already adopted electronic trade documents. Attendees will also hear about the latest government initiatives supporting the transition to paperless trade and digital solutions.
Whether you are just starting your digital journey or looking to build on existing progress, this event will offer practical advice, real-world examples, tools, and expert perspectives to help you take the next step.
Speakers
Ayesha Ali
Deputy Director, Digital Trade and Telecoms, Department for Business and Trade
Ayesha is currently the Deputy Director of the Digital Trade and Telecoms team in DBT. The team are responsible for digital trade policy for the UK in bilateral and multilateral agreements and with international organisations such as the World Trade Organisation (WTO). They are also responsible for implementing existing digital agreements and exploring avenues to improve Digital Trade across new and emerging markets.
Chris Southworth
Secretary General, International Chamber of Commerce UK
Chris is Secretary General at the International Chamber of Commerce UK and a regular voice for business in the international media speaking on a wide range of business issues including trade, sustainability, international priorities and government policy.
He is Co-Chair of Commonwealth Legal Reform and Digitalisation programme launched by Commonwealth Trade Ministers in June 2023, a member of the Legal Reform Advisory Board at the ICC Digital Standards Initiative and co-founder of the UK Centre for Digital Trade and Innovation.
Chris is also a member of the ICC World Council as well as the International Advisory Board of the Queen Mary-UNIDROIT Institute of Transnational Commercial Law.
William Bain
Head of Trade Policy, British Chambers of Commerce
William has worked for the last 9 years with a wide range of companies, from FTSE 100 companies to SMEs to innovative start-ups, advising on the UK's trade and investment policies, including UK-EU, UK-US, Asia Pacific, World Trade Organisation and forming policy with stakeholders for implementation by governments.
Ilona Kawka
Senior Digital Trade & Customs Consultant, Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade
Ilona is a senior digital trade & customs consultant with over 9 years of experience in international trade & customs compliance.
Her expertise lies in customs and trade compliance audits, and in establishing processes and policies within organisations to build up departments handling compliance. She has worked in customs requirements and compliance globally, with emphasis on the MENAT and EMEA regions. She has a deep understanding of customs regulations and assessment of their impact on other areas of business.