Artificial Intelligence for added value in the creation, implementation, and evaluation of national export strategies

A National Export Strategy (NES) is an action plan that sets priorities, allocates resources, and specifies actions to strengthen an economy’s international trade capabilities, seeking to enhance its economic growth and development. In recent times there was an increase in the number of national initiative documents concerning strategic trade and development, with many developing countries facing challenges to ensure their trade dynamics effectively and efficiently contribute to their long-term sustainable development. In this context, technology can be a helpful tool in the NES process. Based on a literature review, use cases, and expert interviews, this report aims to inform the International Trade Centre (ITC) of key ways in which artificial intelligence (AI) can add value to the creation, implementation, and evaluation of a NES. It also identifies important considerations, challenges, and limitations regarding AI adoption in the NES process, and provides conclusions and high-level recommendations.