WIC attends Istanbul Global E-Export Summit

The second Istanbul Global E-Export Summit (IGEXX 2026) was held from Sept 3 to 5 at the Halic Congress Center in Istanbul, Turkiye. Liang Hao, executive deputy secretary-general of the World Internet Conference (WIC), was invited to attend the summit as a representative of the WIC and take part in the panel discussion on “The New Trade Map: How Global Disruptions Are Reshaping E-Export.”

The panel was moderated by Mustafa Tuzcu, deputy minister of trade of Turkiye, and featured by Dr Kerem Alkin, an economist at Istanbul Topkapi University, and Gero Furchheim, president of Ecommerce Europe. Focusing on the impact of geopolitical, economic and logistics disruptions on e-export routes and corporate strategies, the panel explored such topics as the reshaping of cross-border e-commerce supply chains, diversification of e-export markets and strategic choices for digital trade businesses. Participants shared practical experiences and innovative approaches in developing e-commerce ecosystems and advancing digital trade.

During the discussion about the reasons behind China’s rapid e-commerce growth in recent years, Liang attributed it to three key factors: robust digital infrastructure, active market innovation and an open and inclusive institutional environment. 

On infrastructure, China’s extensive 5G and broadband coverage, mature and widely adopted mobile payment systems, and efficient logistics and delivery networks have created favorable conditions for hundreds of millions of consumers and millions of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to participate in digital trade with relatively low barriers. On market innovation, China’s vast domestic consumer market has continued to give rise to new business models such as social commerce and live-streaming commerce, constantly expanding the boundaries of digital trade. On the institutional front, Chinese regulators have maintained an open and inclusive approach to emerging business models. Through institutional innovations such as the establishment of cross-border e-commerce comprehensive pilot zones, they have continued to streamline customs clearance, tax rebate and foreign exchange settlement procedures, removing administrative barriers for SMEs to expand into international markets.

Liang also introduced two research outcomes released by the WIC at a seminar in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Sept 3: 2026 World Internet Conference Collection of Cross-Border E-Commerce Practice Cases and the Cross-Border E-Commerce Practice Guide for SMEs. The former brings together outstanding practices from around the world, covering areas such as platform innovation, AI applications and compliance development, while the latter provides practical guidance for SMEs on market selection, day-to-day operations and the application of relevant tools.

After the panel, the WIC delegation visited the summit exhibition area and held discussions with several exhibitors to learn about their latest practices and cooperation needs in cross-border e-commerce, logistics services and AI applications. 

Liang said that the WIC will continue to leverage its international platform and, through its Specialized Committee on E-Commerce and Digital & AI Academy, continue to develop research outcomes such as cross-border e-commerce case collections and practical guides for SMEs, helping SMEs around the world benefit from digital transformation. The WIC will also organize specialized training programs to strengthen digital and AI capabilities, particularly for developing countries, help bridge the digital and AI divide, and jointly foster an open, inclusive and mutually beneficial ecosystem for digital trade, Liang added.

The summit was hosted by the Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Turkiye and co-organized by the Turkiye Exporters Assembly and the Electronic Commerce Operators Association. Under the theme “Beyond Borders”, it brought together representatives from more than 50 leading global e-commerce platforms, over 150 speakers and more than 5,000 senior participants, including those from e-commerce platforms, retailers, technology providers, logistics companies and policymakers, making it a major event in the global e-export sector.