Digitising your trade and supply chains is an ecosystem activity. This course will help you identify and understand the key components and building blocks needed to accelerate your trade digitalisation roadmap and create coherent policies for digital trade for your organisation.
US$499
Certificate in Digital Trade Strategy (CDTS)
Learn the key aspects of digital trade, including essential macro perspectives and micro-level applications and standards.
Learn from more than 20 leading practitioners and experts on digital trade
The CDTS is a unique, online digital trade certification that brings together the curated insights of more than 20 industry champions, legal experts, innovative trailblazers, public policy officials and ICC National Committees, all at the forefront of the digitalisation of trade. The curriculum of the CDTS was updated in September 2024.
Over the course of 5 modules, you will gain a deep understanding of the various components required to digitise trade and supply chain processes at scale. At the end of the 5 modules, you will be able to take a final online exam and earn a professional qualification on digital trade from the ICC.
How it works
1
Register for the Certificate in Digital Trade Strategy (CDTS)
2
Get 12 months access to all 5 modules
3
Complete all 5 modules
4
Schedule and pass the final online exam
5
Download and share your ICC certificate of achievement
US$499
12 months access
7 hours of interactive learning
60-minute online exam
Downloadable ICC certificate
100% online
Certificate curriculum
This CDTS curriculum was updated in September 2024 and brings together insights from a panel of more than 20 industry champions and experts.
Modules
You must complete all 5 modules to take the final exam.
1. The architecture of international trade and supply chains
This module is split up into 5 lessons that cover:
- The foundational process of trade
- Complexity in trade
- The way trade processes are organised from a shipper’s and customer’s perspective
- The way trade processes are organised from carriers, shippers and (air)port authorities’ perspective
- Banks’ internal and external interactions
2. Critical challenges associated with digitising trade and trade finance
This module is split up into 4 lessons that cover:
• Digital trade and a trade data dictionary
• A high-level overview of the existing fintech landscape
• The challenges and opportunities of digitisation from a banks’ perspective
• The ICC eRules and how they enable the digitalisation of banks and corporates’ interaction
3. The making of an enabling legal environment for digital trade
This module is split into 7 lessons that cover:
- Electronic transferable records (ETRs)
- The UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records (MLETR)
- Case study: The socialisation process for MLETR alignment in the UK
- Case study: Trade finance digitalisation in France
- Case study: Digitising international trade for resilience and sustainability in Germany
- Case study: Belize’s National Digital Agenda
4. Exchanging trade and supply chain data in a trusted environment
This module contains 5 lessons that cover:
- Corporate digital identity – The enabler of trust and transparency in digital trade
- Digital identifiers for products and objects in the physical supply chain
- DCSA eBL standard
- BIMCO eBL standard
- FIATA eFBL standard
5. Interoperability frameworks – putting it together
This module contains 4 lessons that cover:
- ICC DSI’s standards toolkit for cross-border paperless trade
- ITFA Digital Negotiable Instruments (DNI) Initiative
- TradeTrust – The digital utility for exchange of electronic trade documents
- The future of trade digitisation – What to expect over the next five years
Examination FAQ
To complete the Certificate in Digital Trade Strategy (CDTS) and earn your ICC certificate you will need to complete a final 1-hour, online exam.
How does the exam work?
The final exam can be taken at any time after you have completed all 5 modules. It lasts for 60 minutes and is live proctored via the internet. This means there is someone monitoring your environment via webcam to ensure there is no outside interference and maintain the integrity of the certification. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions.
What happens if I fail the exam?
Your purchase includes 1 attempt at the final exam. The passing mark is 70%. If you score lower than that, you will need to purchase a retake for US$60 while you are still within your 12-month access period.
How long is the CDTS valid for?
The CDTS certification has no expiration date. You will not need to recertify after passing the exam.
Why take the CDTS?
Adopt a standards-based approach to digital transformation
There may be ‘digital islands’ within your supply chains that lead to a fragmented approach to digitisation. The CDTS will help you articulate the benefits of a common, standards-based approach that minimises cost and complexity.
Stay up to date with the changing legal environment
The MLETR Foundations module of the CDTS will bring you up to date with the latest legal environment for digital trade (as of September 2024) and help you keep your trade services in line with this. You will also learn how businesses have advanced the legal framework for digital trade in their own countries.
Trusted by alumni in more than 40 countries
Signal your expertise and commitment to digital trade to colleagues, employers and your network with a professional qualification on this topic and one of the first of its kind. You will join alumni from more than 40 countries around the world.
Earn an ICC qualification without leaving home
The CDTS is 100% online, including the exam so you can fit learning in around a busy schedule. No classroom sessions to attend. No travel required. Study anytime, anywhere.
Who is the CDTS for?
This CDTS has been designed for anyone working on the digital strategy and digital transformation for organisations with global supply chains, including the roles and industries below.
- Fintechs – Head of technology, Head of product, architects, developers
- Banks – Head of trade, head of risk & compliance
- Shippers and carriers – Heads of trade, strategy, sales operations, logistics, chief digital officers
- Policy makers – Head of trade policy, digital trade policy leads
CDTS for teams
More than 60 organisations in over 20 countries have enrolled their teams in ICC’s Certificate in Digital Trade Strategy (CDTS), including major shipping and logistics providers, commercial and development banks, mining groups, large manufacturers and multilateral government agencies. Contact us now to discuss your needs and get a custom quote.
Latest CDTS alumni
See all alumni
BALAJI THIRUVENGADAM
Singapore
Certificate in Digital Trade Strategy (CDTS)
2024-12-07
Certified Trade Finance Professional (CTFP)
2023-11-04
Senior Business Analyst
Banking / Mortgage
Banking / Mortgage
SABESAN Ananthanarayanan
India
Certificate in Digital Trade Strategy (CDTS)
2024-11-13
Banking Operations
Banking / Mortgage
Banking / Mortgage
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Purchase the CDTS as an individual or for your team
FAQs
What happens if I fail the exam?
Your purchase of the CDTS allows one attempt at the exam. If required, a retake can be purchased for USD $60 if you are still within your 12-month access period. Please contact our Help Desk at helpdesk@iccacademy.com.sg
How does the exam work?
All our courses and the final exam are taken online. This means they are accessible at any time, from anywhere in the world. You can find more details about how our exams work here.
Are there any prerequisites for taking this course?
All candidates need to be able to read and write in English
How long do I have access to the lessons for?
Your purchase includes 12 months to access all modules and lessons. You can access the lessons as many times as you like within the 12-month access period. Once you have completed all 5 modules, you will get access to the final exam.
Can I request a refund for my purchase?
Due to the immediate availability of our course content upon registration, ICC Academy has a strict no-refund policy for our courses and certifications. For more details, please refer to our Terms and Conditions.
How long will it take to complete the CDTS?
It will take approximately 6-7 hours to complete all 5 modules depending on your level of experience. The final exam is 1 hour.
Who is the CDTS accredited by?
The CDTS curriculum is accredited by the London Institute of Banking and Finance (LIBF) and The Bankers Association for Finance and Trade (BAFT)
