At this event, representatives from the public, private, and academic sectors, as well as indigenous business leaders and experts, shared examples of successful public policies, indigenous-led programs, and business practices that increase access to the benefits of trade for indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs.
More than a dozen entrepreneurs representing indigenous communities in Australia, Canada, Chile, the Philippines, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, and Chinese Taipei spoke about the challenges they had to overcome to get their businesses off the ground and provided examples of successful business strategies.
"To fully leverage the potential of digital commerce for indigenous businesses, it is essential to invest in digital literacy and infrastructure," Peru's Senior Official for APEC (SOM Peru), Minister Renato Reyes, underlined during the workshop's opening event.
"Many indigenous communities, especially in remote areas, continue to face significant challenges in accessing digital technologies, such as limited internet connectivity and a lack of digital skills," he added.