National E-nnovation /Digital Economy

Digital technologies and the digital economy are now central to the way we work, conduct business, perform international trade and engage our world as individuals and communities in the 21st century. Digital economy offers new opportunities for economic growth and innovation, while sustainable development aims to ensure a more equitable and sustainable future for all people. These two areas are interconnected, and the relationship between them is important for achieving sustainable development.

To ensure that digital economic development contributes to sustainable development, policymakers and businesses must take action to address these challenges and risks. This can be achieved through a range of measures such as:

• (1) Promoting access to digital technologies and digital skills, especially in underserved communities, to reduce the digital divide;
• (2) Encouraging the development of sustainable business models, such as the circular economy and the sharing economy, and promoting sustainable consumption patterns;
• (3) Developing policies and regulations that promote resource efficiency, reduce waste and pollution, and encourage the use of renewable energy sources;
• (4) Fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in digital economic development with a focus on inclusive development goals;
• (5) Setting up appropriate regulatory policies restraining the abuse of monopolistic power at the expenses of the disadvantaged countries, regions, and individuals;
• (6) Graining less educated people to better utilize available digital technologies to become more employable and/or to improve their wage-earning ability;
• (7) Paying special attention to rural females, the elderly, and children who may have difficulty in accessing the internet and mobile technology for communication and educational purposes.