UfM Economic Forum 2026

Working towards a regional roadmap for cooperation and harmonisation to support cross-border digital trade and e-commerce

Digital trade and e-commerce offer opportunities for inclusive growth, job creation and regional integration. However, fragmented regulatory frameworks, barriers to small and medium-sized enterprise participation, and gaps in digital payments, logistics and data governance continue to constrain their potential.

This workshop will bring together government representatives, private sector actors and development partners to identify shared priorities and practical opportunities for regional cooperation.

The UfM is organising the workshop in collaboration with the regional programme Digital Trade and E-Commerce in the MENA Region, co-funded by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and implemented by GIZ and the International Trade Centre (ITC).

The revised Pan-Euro-Mediterranean (PEM) Convention sets out rules for determining the origin of goods traded under preferential trade arrangements. Understanding and applying these rules is essential to facilitating trade and strengthening regional supply chains.

This two-day workshop will bring together representatives of customs administrations and trade authorities from the Contracting Parties to the PEM Convention to exchange experiences, discuss implementation challenges and share best practices.

Technical presentations, practical exercises and interactive discussions will cover the key substantive and procedural changes introduced by the revised Convention, helping participants strengthen their understanding of the rules and their practical application.

The UfM is organising the workshop with the support of German Development Cooperation (GIZ) and in close cooperation with the European Commission (DG TRADE and DG TAXUD).

The workshop supports the 2026 UfM Work Programme, the “Connecting Economies” pillar of the UfM Vision Statement and the “Stronger, more sustainable and integrated economies” pillar of the Pact for the Mediterranean.