SERVICES like logistics, software and finance now form 70 percent of global manufacturing inputs, a report from UN Trade and Development (Unctad) showed.
Technology and digital services power modern trade alongside physical cargo. Services supply 33 percent of export value in wealthy nations, 27 percent in developing countries, and 13 percent in least developed countries (LDCs). Consequently, shipping lines now bundle ocean transport with digital tools like real-time tracking, online booking, and automated customs processing.
Digitally deliverable services (DDS) such as online IT support, consulting, and finance drive this shift. These web-based services generate 56 percent of global service exports, expanding by 7.1 percent annually over the past decade.
However, a steep digital divide persists. LDCs produce only 0.6 percent of global service exports in 2025, and deliver just 16 percent of their exports digitally compared to 61 percent in developed nations. High fees, weak internet connections, and limited technical training restrict these poorer economies.
Artificial intelligence (AI) adoption accelerates this disparity. Advanced carriers and ports deploy AI to optimize routes and automate terminals. Yet wealthy nations hold most AI resources, while under 33 percent of developing nations maintain official AI strategies.
Unctad calls for urgent policy reforms to support developing economies. Global leaders must expand internet infrastructure, lower payment fees, and fund digital skill programs in LDCs.
