News

(9 February 2026) – The World Trustmark and Trade Alliance (WTA) extends warm Lunar New Year greetings to our global partners and stakeholders. This season of renewal is marked by a proud achievement: the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Member Economies have approved WTA’s continuation as a Guest in the APEC Digital Economy Steering Group (DESG) and its Data Privacy Subgroup (DPS).

This recognition reaffirms WTA’s longstanding commitment to fostering trust, privacy, and digital economy collaboration across the Asia-Pacific region — a journey we have upheld since 2007.

We look forward to continuing our fruitful cooperation with APEC DESG and DPS, contributing to the development of trusted frameworks that support innovation, privacy, and cross-border digital trade.

(3 February 2026) – The World Trustmark and Trade Alliance (WTA) today outlined a new, open framework aimed at simplifying and strengthening cross‑border data transfers through a three‑tier trust ecosystem anchored by a Global Data Flow Trustmark. The proposal responds to persistent frictions caused by divergent compliance procedures and regulatory standards across economies, which the WTA says impede the speed and reliability of trusted data movement for businesses operating internationally.

WTA positioned the initiative within its two‑decade history, tracing its origins to the Asia Trustmark Alliance (2003) and noting current membership of 37 trustmark operators across 30 economies. The organization emphasized alignment with APEC priorities—including the APEC Internet and Digital Economy Roadmap and the Putrajaya Vision 2040—and highlighted a pragmatic “research first, pilots next” approach informed by past participation in CBPR pathfinder programs and mutual recognition efforts.

The three tiers are designed to accommodate organizations at different maturity levels. Tier one offers a streamlined credit and due diligence report tailored for e‑commerce and rapid onboarding; tier two provides a Green Compliance Trustmark for entities already demonstrating strong compliance; and tier three—the Global Cross‑Border Data Flow Trustmark—enables a “prepare once, gain trust across multiple economies” model that respects diverse legal frameworks while aligning shared requirements to facilitate multi‑jurisdictional certification.

WTA described the system as open, inclusive, and practical, inviting economies and businesses committed to trust and collaboration to participate. The alliance signaled readiness to integrate the ecosystem with APEC initiatives, share pilot results, and advance regional cooperation to operationalize the trust mark as a real‑world solution for global digital trade.

(6 January 2026) – World Trustmark and Trade Alliance (WTA) has formalized a Three‑Tier Trust Ecosystem as the core of its 2026 strategic agenda. The initiative establishes targeted working groups to develop standardized approaches for trade credit, green compliance recognition, and cross‑border data governance, with an emphasis on documenting replicable case studies and publishing regular progress updates.

Tier 1 Trade Entity Credit Reports

Summary: Establish standardized, lightweight credit reporting for trade entities to improve transparency and comparability across markets.

Focus: Pilot practical reporting templates and interoperable exchanges; capture lessons and produce case materials for regional adaptation.

Tier 2 Green Compliance Trustmarks

Summary: Develop trustmarks that recognize environmental and regulatory compliance while remaining adaptable to different jurisdictions.

Focus: Record verification approaches and implementation lessons to support consistent, scalable recognition of green practices.

Tier 3 Cross‑border Data Flow Initiatives

Summary: Advance governance and interoperability for secure, privacy‑respecting cross‑border data movement and mutual recognition of certifications.

Focus: Explore a “one certification, multiple recognition” model and produce operational playbooks for multi‑jurisdictional adoption.

---

Strategic Priorities

Knowledge accumulation: Build a living knowledge hub that curates case materials, toolkits, and practitioner insights, and supports regular peer‑led workshops to accelerate practical learning and reuse.

Expert mobilization: Convene specialist working groups to develop in‑depth case analyses for each tier.

Capacity building: Strengthen Secretariat functions to coordinate multi‑jurisdictional pilots and synthesize operational guidance.

---

Next Steps

Communications: Issue a preliminary project announcement and publish a concise roadmap on the WTA website.

Recruitment: Circulate formal working group invitations and expert recruitment notices by month‑end.

(1 December 2025) – The 2025 Credit “Shenzhen Gathering,” themed Credit Breaks Boundaries, Value Reborn, took place in Shenzhen on 29 November 2025. The conference convened more than 170 participants, including credit service agencies, data technology firms, academic scholars, representatives from local credit centers, and national industry associations. Delegates gathered to examine innovative development pathways for credit services and credit risk control, with an emphasis on fostering industry exchange, cooperation, and value enhancement.

Key institutional developments were announced, including a signing of intent for entities to settle in the Qianhai Credit Service Industry Cluster and the inaugurations of the Judicial Innovation Center and the Credit Risk Prevention and Control Subcommittee. The Judicial Innovation Center will explore the integration and application of judicial data, while the Subcommittee will coordinate industry efforts and advance research and development in credit risk prevention and control—steps described by organizers as pivotal to the professionalization and compliance‑driven evolution of national credit control services.

The event concluded with an awards ceremony and five thematic roundtable dialogues. Ten firms were named Industry Benchmark Enterprises and 30 received Industry Demonstration Enterprise recognition; 15 women were honored with the Leading Mulan award and 15 men received the Pioneer Pillar award for contributions to technology and management innovation. Roundtables produced in‑depth discussions on transformation challenges and opportunities, and organizers said the gathering strengthened high‑level industry communication, injected momentum into the credit economy of Shenzhen and the Greater Bay Area, and contributed to the broader advancement of the national credit control sector.

(22 November 2025) – The 15^th #HKTDC Business of IP Asia Forum (BIP Asia) returns on 4–5 December at #HKCEC, under the theme “Leverage IP to Finance Business Growth”.

The event will delve into multiple key areas, including IP Valuation and Financing, Propelling Sustainability with IP, IP Economy, IP-driven Transformation of HK Brands, and Opportunities and Risks of Data Licensing. These discussions will encourage innovative approaches to leveraging IP for market opportunities.

BIP Asia brings together IP owners, investors, professionals, and business leaders from around the world. To facilitate our members on acquiring IP insights, trends and developments, as well as establishing business connections and exploring partnership opportunities, our organisation is pleased to be supporting BIP Asia this year. Members can enjoy 60% off on full passes starting today. Contact us to receive your special promo code.

Register Now: https://bipasia.hktdc.com/conference/bip/en/onlineregistration

Event details: https://bipasia.hktdc.com/en
Date: 4 – 5 December 2025
Venue: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC)

For more information, please visit:

• Forum website: http://www.bipasiaforum.com
• Forum brochure: https://pp.hktdc.com/dm/bip/2025/BIP_Brochure_2025.pdf
• Video highlights from last year’s forum: https://pp.hktdc.com/dm/bip/video/2025/BIP_2024WrapUp_EN.mp4

About Business of IP Asia 2025

Business of IP Asia Forum (4-5 December 2025)
Leverage IP To Finance Business Growth

Jointly organised by the HKSAR Government and HKTDC, the Business of IP Asia Forum is an annual flagship event for intellectual property (IP) policymakers, owners, users, investors and professionals to exchange thought leadership and market trends as well as explore business opportunities in Asia and beyond. The 2024 edition attracted more than 90 prominent speakers and 3,000 participants from 36 countries and regions.

The 15th edition of BIP Asia Forum will be held on 4-5 December 2025 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Themed “Leverage IP To Finance Business Growth”, the upcoming edition will discuss how businesses can enhance their competitive advantage, attract investment, and unlock new avenues for sustainable growth by strategically leveraging IP.