Can tech stem the rise in illicit trade? An interview with Carlos Moreira

15 JUN 2021

Technology has been at the forefront of our fight against COVID-19. For example, collaboration platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams were the lifeblood that kept many businesses going over the past 15 months, and pharmaceutical advancements enabled scientists to develop vaccines more quickly than ever thought possible. Now, technology is taking a central role in combatting an often-overlooked side effect of the pandemic: Illicit trade.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, researchers have seen a notable increase in illicit trade activities across multiple industries. Pharmaceuticals, PPE, personal care products, tobacco, and alcoholic drinks have been targeted by criminals looking to take advantage of the disruption caused by the pandemic. Human trafficking and the illicit drugs trade have also grown during this time.

To understand more about how technology is being harnessed to stem this uptick in illicit trade, Victor Guerra, Senior Counsel for Illicit Trade Prevention at Philip Morris International (PMI), spoke to Carlos Moreira, CEO and founder of WISeKey

Carlos is a renowned expert on cybersecurity and illicit trade, and has advised the United Nations (UN), UN Trade and Development, World Bank, World Trade Organisation, and International Labour Organization. In the interview, he speaks about how innovative technology is driving the fight against illicit trade, the need for greater cross-industry collaboration and public-private partnerships, and his role as an Expert Council Member for the global initiative to fund projects aimed at ending illegal trade: PMI IMPACT.

Watch the full interview below:

Can Tech Help Fight Illicit Trade? An Interview With Carlos Moreira

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