A recent Economist Impact survey, supported by JTI, found that 77% of respondents from Asia struggled to distinguish between genuine and illicit goods, compared to 67% for respondents from Europe. Removing barriers to trade may stimulate growth and support business, but lax border controls are a criminal's dream. In an increasingly digital world, better product identification, increased information-sharing, revisions of tax and excise levels and better co-ordination between e-commerce platforms will be essential.
I'm delighted to invite you to join Economist Impact in Manila at the seventh Global Anti-Illicit Trade Summit, supported by JTI, to examine how illicit trade can be combated in South-East Asia. Taking place in-person on May 18th 2023, meet with policymakers, law-enforcement officials, business representatives and experts on illicit trade. | 
