EU4Digital Facility has published an updated report on the EU baseline for eCommerce in the Eastern Partnership (EaP). The report provides an overview of cross-border eCommerce in the European Union and EU best practices and norms as a benchmark for assessing the Eastern partner countries’ cross-border eCommerce. The report analyses three key areas - legal framework, standards and the eCommerce ecosystem.

Want to find out more about digital developments, future priorities and the policy agenda for Eastern partner countries? The EU4Digital Initiative is organising two events dedicated to the topic of digital transformation in the Eastern Partnership. On 14 November 2023, the Digital Conference for the Eastern Partnership will provide a space for wider discussion and anyone who is interested in participating will be welcome. On 15 November 2023, invited members of the EU4Digital Phase II Steering Committee will meet to discuss the flagship regional EU4Digital Initiative and projects.

The EU4Digital Facility is excited to announce the official kick-off of its national pavilion account pilot activity. This eTrade initiative aims to provide small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from participating countries with an opportunity to test their products in the EU market, increase cross-border sales, and potentially create a base for further project development in their respective countries.

The State Customs Service of Ukraine and the Romanian Customs Authority have completed a successful eCustoms pilot to enhance the facilitation of trade. They tested the exchange of electronic data at the Porubne-Siret border crossing point during 19-26 June 2023. The successful cooperation was closely supported by the EU4Digital Facility, the EU Advisory Mission (EUAM) and the Directorate General Taxation and Customs Union (DG TAXUD). EU4Digital organised a post-pilot conference on 7 July 2023 with all the parties, to conclude the pilot, discuss results and start planning the next steps.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ukraine are invited to apply for supported participation in the EU4Digital eCommerce consultations centre programme. Following the success of an initial collaboration between EU4Digital Facility and the International Trade Centre (ITC) to support these activities, the organisations are delighted to announce renewed cooperation. As a result, there is a new opportunity for 11 more Ukrainian companies to benefit from eCommerce training and consultations.

To strengthen digital development and innovation in Moldova, representatives of the EU4Digital Facility and the Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR) visited the country on 14-16 June 2023. The visit provided an invaluable opportunity to engage with key stakeholders and explore initiatives that are advancing the Republic of Moldova’s digital landscape.

Looking for news, resources and other information about digital transformation in the Eastern Partnership (EaP)? EU4Digital invites you to explore its newly relaunched website: https://eufordigital.eu/! With the relaunch, the EU4Digital Facility offers its large digital community updated content and an improved user experience.

EU4Digital Facility and European Commission DG NEAR representatives participated in the Moldova Digital Summit 2023 - The Future of Digital on 15-17 June 2023. The event was organised under the patronage of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova and marked a new stage in the country’s digital transformation. Under the theme ‘Evolve towards our borderless future’, the summit aimed to re-position the ICT field on the regional economic map and build a new image of digital Moldova, with potential for sustainable development.

The Republic of Moldova has advanced the use of remote identification of customers, by improving legislation and launching the development of technological platforms. Recently, legislative amendments clarified the application of eKYC (electronic know your customer) in the financial sector. In addition, the e-Governance Agency launched a project to develop a multi-purpose eKYC technological platform. These changes will support proliferation of the digital economy infrastructure, online transactions and remote working in Moldova, and the development of online businesses, online financial services and digital public services.

EU4Digital Facility has visited the Ukraine-Romania border in preparation for the upcoming eCustoms pilot between the two countries. EU4Digital experts visited the border crossing point (BCP) between Siret in Romania and Porubne in Ukraine on 30-31 May 2023.

The EU4Digital Facility has selected Ukraine, Moldova and Azerbaijan as the Eastern partner countries that will receive tailored roadmaps for deploying electronic freight transport information (eFTI) exchange. The roadmaps will be created in line with the European Union's eFTI Regulation, set to come into effect in December 2025, which will simplify and digitise information exchange between shippers, carriers, authorities and other stakeholders involved in the transportation of goods. Implementing an eFTI-like approach in Eastern partner countries will aid their integration into the EU eFTI ecosystem and benefit their authorities and business operators.

A key milestone has been reached in the EU4Digital eCustoms pilot between Ukraine and Romania, which will test the systematic cross-border exchange of data. On 5 May 2023, the State Customs Service of Ukraine and the Romanian Customs Authority signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), regarding the manner and testing of the electronic information exchange.