PAA Digital Trade Alliance Convenes 71st Steering Committee Meeting

The PAA Digital Trade Alliance Convenes 71st Steering Committee Meeting in Shanghai, Welcomes New Member from Macao

Shanghai, China — May 20, 2025 — The PAA Digital Trade Alliance (PAA, formerly known as The Pan-Asian E-Commerce Alliance) successfully held its 71st Steering Committee Meeting in Shanghai, hosted by E&P International, the single window operator of Shanghai. The meeting was chaired by Francis Norman Lopez, President of InterCommerce and Vice Chair of PAA.

A key highlight of the meeting was the formal welcome of PAA’s newest associate member, MTel from Macao. MTel, a leading public telecommunications operator in the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), is recognized for its commitment to delivering high-quality telecommunication services to both local and international markets. The company actively drives innovation and supports the region’s digital transformation initiatives.

As the first global alliance dedicated to promoting secure digital trade, PAA continues to play a pivotal role in advancing the global digital economy. Now entering its 25th year, PAA remains at the forefront of leveraging cutting-edge technologies — including the application of artificial intelligence in digital trade — to facilitate seamless, secure, and efficient cross-border transactions.

During the meeting, members reported on multiple ongoing cross-border digital trade initiatives. Notably, the ePhyto exchange project between Thailand and the Philippines is on track to go live in June 2025, marking another milestone in regional trade facilitation.

The Steering Committee also discussed strengthening collaboration with international organizations and initiatives, including the African Alliance on Electronic Commerce (AAEC), ASEAN Digital Trade Connect, UNESCAP, and the World Customs Organization Private Sector Consultative Group (WCO PSCG). United by a shared vision to enhance trade facilitation, these partnerships are expected to deliver greater collective impact through joint initiatives in the years ahead.

About PAA Digital Trade Alliance
Founded in 2000, PAA is a pioneering global alliance committed to promoting secure and efficient digital trade. Bringing together key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, PAA continues to lead collaborative efforts in advancing trade digitalization and connectivity worldwide.