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Digital finance, e-commerce development, and regional trade development

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  • Zheng, Minyu

Abstract

This paper constructs an empirical model that includes digital finance, e-commerce development, and regional trade development, and selects 297 prefecture-level cities in China from 2010 to 2023 as samples for analysis. The study finds that the development of digital finance significantly promotes regional trade development. The mediation effect analysis shows that the development of digital finance diversifies the financing channels for e-commerce enterprises, drives the upgrading and transformation of related industries, and promotes regional trade development. The heterogeneity analysis reveals that the development of digital finance significantly promotes trade development in western regions but has no significant impact on eastern and central regions, which may be related to the different levels of financial development in these regions.

Suggested Citation

  • Zheng, Minyu, 2025. "Digital finance, e-commerce development, and regional trade development," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:81:y:2025:i:c:s1544612325007913
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2025.107532
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Chen, Heping & Wang, Yan, 2025. "Cross-border e-commerce, financial development, and trade in services," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 86(PF).
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    3. Zhu, Tianqi & Zhu, Tiancheng & Zhao, Lu, 2025. "The impact of new quality productive forces on the resilience of industrial chains: The moderating role of digital finance," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).

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