Illicit trade in a post-pandemic world – Learning from disruption

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Illicit trade in a post-pandemic world: Learning from disruption

2020 has been a turbulent year across the world, and the world of illicit trade is no exception. In the early stages of the pandemic, criminal groups were forced to alter their supply chains in the face of national lockdowns that closed borders and confined whole populations to their homes. Frantic purchasing of healthcare supplies created a lucrative market for counterfeit PPE and the supply of illicit goods in a number of industries spiked, while cybercrime and fraud boomed too as the world’s population took to the internet for their basic needs. Law enforcement agencies and governments alike, overwhelmed by the challenges presented by this new public health threat, worry that lack of resources are allowing criminal enterprises to run wild without concern of being chased.

Yet while the coronavirus pandemic continues to create unique challenges, what has been learned in the past few months in the fight against illicit trade?

Will a second wave of lockdowns across the world be better handled than before, as law enforcement adapts to different patterns of behaviour by criminal organisations? Has international collaboration escaped unscathed from the pandemic, or is more work needed to ensure countries work together to tackle cross-border illicit trade?

As countries across the world struggle to balance the books after spending their way to recovery, how can governments effectively address illicit trade and avoid criminal dealings from damaging national economies? And as we re-examine the measures taken in order to save businesses from going under, how can these same businesses be protected in the face of resurging illicit activities like smuggling, counterfeiting, and tax evasion?

In this Economist Event, supported by Philip Morris International, we convene a panel of illicit trade experts, policymakers, and private sector leaders to examine the long-term impact of the coronavirus pandemic on illicit trade. Central to the discussion is the question – what can be learned from this disruption?

Speakers

Carlos Moreira

Founder, Chairman and CEO at WiseKeySee more

Alvise Giustiniani

Vice President, Illicit Trade Prevention at Philip Morris InternationalSee more

Piotr Stryszowski

Senior economist, Task Force on Countering Illicit Trade, OECDSee more

Wil van Gemert

Deputy Executive Director, EuropolSee more

Christopher Clague

Managing editor, Asia, and global editorial lead, trade and globalisation, The Economist Intelligence UnitSee more