**Introduction** Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation economies can support a fair and trusted digital marketplace while sustaining inclusive growth by combining three policy pillars: 1. Enforceable consumer and competition protections for online markets; 2. Interoperable privacy and security arrangements that support cross-border digital trade; and 3. Targeted measures that reduce participation barriers for MSMEs and underserved users. When applied together, these elements strengthen confidence in digital markets and help ensure that digital growth is broadly shared[1][2][3]. **Policy priorities for a fair, trusted, and inclusive digital marketplace** **1.** **Strengthen enforcement in digital consumer and competition policy** Fair digital markets depend on clear and enforceable rules against misleading pricing, deceptive discounting, and other unfair commercial practices that distort consumer choice and undermine competition. Consistent enforcement approaches, supported by common risk classifications, evidence requirements, and cooperation among authorities, are particularly important where online platforms operate across borders and where misconduct can spread rapidly. These measures help protect consumers while maintaining a level playing field for compliant firms[1][2]. **2.** **Support trusted cross-border digital activity through interoperable privacy and security frameworks** Trust in digital trade increases when economies apply compatible frameworks for personal data protection, organizational accountability, and digital security. Interoperable data transfer mechanisms, including certification-based systems, support cross-border data flows while reducing compliance costs and maintaining baseline protections[4][5][6]. Measures to address online fraud, identity theft, and related security risks further strengthen confidence in digital transactions and services[7]. **3.** **Reduce participation barriers to promote inclusive digital growth** Inclusive outcomes are more likely when smaller firms and less connected communities can participate in digital markets without facing disproportionate costs related to compliance, onboarding, payments, logistics, and customer engagement. Policies that support MSMEs in operating across online and offline channels, together with practical digital capability-building initiatives, help expand participation beyond the largest firms[8][9]. Attention to affordability, skills, and infrastructure remains necessary to prevent digitalization from widening existing economic gaps[10]. **Conclusion** A coherent APEC approach links market integrity with broad participation. Effective enforcement keeps digital markets competitive and limits unfair practices. Interoperable privacy and security arrangements enable trusted cross-border digital activity without unnecessary fragmentation. Inclusion-focused measures then translate digital expansion into wider economic benefits by lowering entry barriers and expanding access for firms and consumers across the region.
