Revamping trade and investment promotion organizations in business ecosystem 4.0: New technologies and tools are providing companies have new ways of doing business - and new challenges.

• Date: 01 July 2018
• Author: Jansen, Marion

The digital revolution has already transformed our economies and our society. New technologies and tools have entered our daily lives, companies have new ways of doing business. Digital platforms now provide services that used to be the bread and butter of retailers, travel agents, banks and many others. Though these changes are creating immense opportunities for many, they pose risks to economic growth and inclusiveness where the business ecosystem is not set up to harness the power of new technological possibilities.

Exports and investment of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can be a case in point. New technologies can ease some difficulties typically faced by SMEs when exporting, such as matching sellers and buyers. They can also pose new challenges in terms of access to and adoption of technologies as well as increased risks or vulnerabilities.

Trade and investment promotion organizations (TIPOs) have traditionally played an important role in helping SMEs export. They have done so by providing market information, matching buyers with sellers, supporting access to new markets and promoting investment. Because of the increased use of information technologies, it is possible that soon many of these services will be offered by platform providers. TIPOs could then become obsolete.

In theory, platforms can provide many of the...