This paper approaches inclusive development in South and South-West Asia through the framework of structural transformation and productive capacities. It discusses the opportunities for these countries to build their productive capacities through product diversification and presents a list of potential new products and export markets that could be targeted by government and private sector for achieving higher long-term gains.
The ongoing euro zone debt crisis creates an undesirable scenario for the global economy as well as for the Asia-Pacific region given that the region has close economic linkages. The paper aims to provide quantitative estimates of the potential impact of the euro zone debt crisis on merchandise exports as well as on economic growth and poverty reduction efforts in the region. The results indicate that a one-percentage-point fall of output growth of the euro zone would result in a total export loss of $166 billion.
The Asia-Pacific region continues to face a deeply challenging external environment. The V-shaped recovery from the depths of the 2008-2009 global financial crisis in 2010 proved to be short-lived, as the world economy entered the second stage of the crisis in 2011, due to euro zone debt concerns and the continued uncertain outlook for the United States economy. The region will be affected by slackening demand for its exports and higher costs of capital, as well as by loose monetary policies and trade protection measures of some advanced economies.
The Asia-Pacific region’s rapid growth since the 1950s had been supported by a favourable external economic environment and opportunities arising from globalization. This, however, has changed dramatically in the aftermath of the global financial crisis of 2008-2009. In the new global environment, sustaining the region’s growth and realizing the Asia-Pacific century critically depends on its ability to harness the potential of regional economic integration.
A listing of ESCAP meeting papers and official documents produced by substantive divisions in the year 2011. Wherever possible, in the Document Symbol Index, the document symbols link directly to the Official Document System of the United Nations (ODS).
UNICEF and the Asia-Pacific Interagency Group on Youth called on regional governments to focus greater energy on Asia-Pacific’s 1.1 billion young people, which they say are vital for the region’s future economic development.
They launched a new policy guide Investing in Youth Policy.This policy guide makes a strong case for governments to put young people higher on the policy agenda.
The UN Asia-Pacific Regional Cooperation Mechanism Thematic Working Group (TWG) on International Migration including Human Trafficking, co-chaired by ESCAP and IOM, launched the 2012 Situation Report on International Migration in South and South-West Asia in Dhaka, Bangladesh on 5 April 2012.
Building productive capacities is a top priority for least developed countries to promote development and graduate from the status of least developed country. This paper discusses the
Simplification and harmonization of trade data and documentary requirements can contribute significantly to the reduction of time and costs for international trade transactions. Harmonizing data used in trade documents and aligning them with international standards also ensures data interoperability among the various parties engaged in a trade transaction.
