Online courses are becoming a popular and efficient way of learning or updating and exchanging knowledge. They are easy to access, have a high flexibility, abundant resources, and – most importantly – often free of charge after registration. All you need is a stable Internet connection. To support capacity building of programme partners, policy makers and private sector actors – especially from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Mongolia and Vietnam – SCSI introduces a series of online course providers on trade related topics. To learn more on areas like export procedures, standards, business process analysis (BPA), agricultural trade, trade facilitation policies, customs procedures or doing business in China, the following platforms are briefly introduced:

1. ITC SME Trade Academy
2. WTO E-Campus
3. UNESCAP E-Learning Series
4. FAO E-Learning Center
5. WBG OLC
6. WCO CLiKC
7. Coursera
8. CCLEC E-Learning System
9. MofCom China Web-Training

1. ITC SME Trade Academy
The International Trade Centre (ITC) SME Trade Academy provides free online courses. They are about improving trade related abilities of SMEs in different fields including business planning, exporting, market access, standards, logistics or financial processes. Course duration is usually two to three weeks where participants are introduced to a certain topic with interactive presentations and expert videos on case studies and best practices. To obtain a certificate, course specific assignments must be met which are introduced after signing up for a class.

2. WTO E-Campus
The World Trade Organization (WTO) E-Campus is an online learning platform providing interactive courses on a variety of international trade matters with regard to the WTO framework. The courses aim at policy makers and staff from ministries. Participants need to register and submit a nomination form supported by a government official. To obtain a WTO certificate, monitored course must be attended regular to access and pass the module exams. All the training materials are freely provided.

3. UNESCAP E-Learning Series
The United Nations (UN) Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Trade, Investment and Innovation Division has developed a Business Process Analysis (BPA) online training course, aimed at government officials and other stakeholders responsible for trade facilitation. The course has been divided into 7 modules, covering project planning, data collection, process analysis and other important points. The site provides a study guide as well as the possibility to obtain a BPA for Trade Facilitation certificate. The course is based on research of the UN Network of Experts for Paperless Trade and Transport in Asia and the Pacific (UNNExT) BPA guide to simplify trade procedures.

4. FAO E-Learning Center
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) provides an online e-learning platform focusing on food and nutrition security, social and economic development as well as sustainable management of natural resources. Its selection includes courses on topics of “Trade, Markets and Investment”, “Food Safety”, or “Monitoring, Evaluation and Impact Assessment”. After registration, CD-Rom, online and downloadable versions of the courses are made available to match different technical settings. The courses are completely self-paced with no tutor-led instructions and can be started at any time.

5. WBG OLC
The World Bank Group (WBG) Open learning Campus (OLC) was developed in partnership with Republic of Korea (RoK) Ministry of Strategy and Finance. It provides dynamic learning opportunities on a vast range of topics in different formats (webinars, talks, community of practice, self-paced courses, videos, e-courses, etc.). Some set-ups like peer and expert exchange allow knowledge exchanges with WBG staff, clients, and partners. Among others, learning formats on cross-border trade, trade, trade facilitation, agricultural trade or value chains can be found.

6. WCO CLiKC
The World Customs Organization (WCO) Customs Learning and Knowledge Community (CLiKC) offers a single entry point for WCO training activities and a collaborative portal to share and foster Customs knowledge in more than 250 courses. All officers from WCO member administrations can be registered and access the courses for free. The nominations are done through national e-learning co-ordinators. A list with the respective contact person per WCO member can be found on the CLiKC website.

7. Coursera
Coursera is one of the largest providers of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC). It works with universities as well as organisations and further institutions to offer online courses, specialisations, and degrees in a variety of subjects. The Chinese University of Hong Kong offers a series of courses for doing business in China. The four courses set introduces learners to know how from Chinese entrepreneurs, consumers and employees and enables them to identify business opportunities and challenges in China.

8. CCLEC E-Learning System
This learning system was developed by Caribbean Customs Law Enforcement Council (CCLEC) and provides introductions to basic customs and trade facilitation, economic partnership agreements, risk management, tariff classification, customs rules of origin, WTO-valuation, training of trainers and more. The system furthermore, offers a discussion forum and an online library. Participants have to register to use the e-learning system courses and tools.

9. MofCom China Web-Training
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MofCom) provides various learning videos with regard to international trade in Chinese language. Its aim is to enhance trade related capacity building for policy makers and practitioners on different fields in international and national trade regimes, economic cooperation, investment management, and further topics.