New Partnership Set to Drive Digital Trade Opportunities

The Centre for Digital Trade and Innovation (C4DTI) has teamed up with Teesside University International Business School to embrace the opportunities offered by digital trade.

The world of trade has seen massive disruptions in recent years, highlighting the fragility of our supply chains. Digital trade presents huge opportunities for the UK to lead on a global stage in the digital revolution.

C4DTI is a Teesside-based International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) initiative, supported by the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) to deliver benefits locally, nationally and globally. Teesside University is a founding partner and a strong supporter of its work.

C4DTI's vision is to make trade cheaper, faster and more sustainable through digitalisation, becoming the UK champion of interoperable ecosystems. The initiative is supported by government, gathering industry partners and providing benefits and access to resources for all stakeholders.

The centre achieves this by offering legal assistance, pilots, training and research, supported by partners such as International Chamber of Commerce, Institute of Export and Teesside University.

Director Nick Davies said, 'There are models for the confirmation of and access to digital trade data without substantial exchange or risk to current business models. This to be based on digital identity application of smart contracts, and the techno legal opportunities that exist for transformation of trade processes.

With strong support from Teesside University and TVCA, we have a real opportunity to work with trading entities in the Teesside area to achieve that transformation and enable growth and supply chain security in the longer term.

We are particularly interested in digital means of confirming data in supply chains without substantial exchange on digital identity application of smart contracts, and the techno legal opportunities that exist for transformation of trade processes."

Craig Gaskell, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Enterprise and Knowledge Exchange said, "The University recognises the ground breaking opportunity that the Centre is looking to create and is proud to be a partner in and strong supporter of its work. The ambitions of the Centre and the ICC align very well with the strengths, future plans and resources of Teesside University and I look forward to being involved in its work at all levels."

Embracing the opportunities that digital trade offers keeps us at the forefront of the technological revolution, ensuring we lead the way in digital trade, and capitalising on the benefits this can provide for Britain, our trading partners and for the world.

More about the Centre for Digital Trade and Innovation (C4DTI)

To discuss opportunities for research or pilot collaborations, please contact tnyirongo@iccwbo.uk.