To strengthen global digital commerce by enabling seamless SME participation in cross-border markets through interoperable policy, consistent standards, and smarter use of digital payment frameworks. The group aims to reduce regulatory fragmentation, improve transaction certainty, and support digital tools and data flows that help SMEs navigate complexity and succeed in international trade.

Across Asia–Pacific, SMEs drive employment, innovation, and supply chains, yet they face widening barriers in digital trade. Fragmented regulations, slow and uncertain cross-border payments, and inconsistent standards raise costs and limit market access. As economies digitalise, efficient and secure data flows have become critical for trust, compliance, and seamless commerce, with these frictions hitting smaller firms hardest.

The Global Digital Commerce & SME Access Working Group was created to tackle these challenges by promoting interoperable policies, consistent standards, and more predictable digital payment and data environments. In collaboration with the Asia-Pacific Financial Forum (APFF), the group brings together industry and regulatory insights, with its recommendations feeding into ABAC to support more open and inclusive digital trade across the region.

Unlocking the full potential of the region’s SMEs is essential for shared prosperity and sustainable growth.

• Interoperable policies and standards enabling seamless SME cross-border payments
• Stronger digital payment frameworks to improve access, lower costs, and increase certainty
• Secure, efficient cross-border data flows essential to payments and related services
• Reduced payments-related regulatory fragmentation to support scalable SME trade
• Practical digital tools that simplify SME compliance and cross-border payment processes