What: The IADS attended the RLC Global Forum in Riyadh, KSA, on February 4-5, 2025. This by-invitation-only event featured high-quality sessions focused on Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, and South-East Asia, with key players from these regions.

Why it is important: Discussions centred on potential scenarios for global trade, the promise of the Middle East (especially with potential expansion of the Abraham Accords), and the growth potential of South-South trade. A concerning development for e-commerce retailers is the potential modification of the USD 800 de minimis threshold for duty-free imports into the US, plus more controlled cross-border commerce in the EU. Also covered how "shop-entertainment" on platforms like TikTok can be a trillion-dollar opportunity and how AI is reshaping retail, impacting productivity and customer experience, plus insights on cross-border business challenges in KSA.

RLC Global Forum 2025 IADS report