World Trade Organization (WTO) Information Technology Agreement (ITA)
The Information Technology Agreement (ITA) was concluded by 29 participants at the Singapore Ministerial Conference in December 1996. Since then, the number of participants has grown to 82, representing about 97 per cent of world trade in IT products. The participants are committed to completely eliminating tariffs on IT products covered by the Agreement. At the Nairobi Ministerial Conference in December 2015, over 50 members concluded the expansion of the Agreement, which now covers an additional 201 products valued at over $1.3 trillion per year.
By eliminating tariffs on a wide range of IT products among participating countries, the ITA facilitates the flow of digital goods and services across borders. This reduction in trade barriers encourages the adoption of digital technologies and electronic communication methods, which are essential components of paperless trade initiatives.