• TRADE AND INVESTMENT PUBLICATIONS
• SELECTED WORLDWIDE WEBSITES

Asian Economic Cooperation and Integration: Progress, Prospects, and Challenges. 2005. For Sale. Price: US$30.00. Part I is available on-line (PDF-Format, 39 pages, 288 Kb). ADB.
This publication contains papers presented by experts at a high-level conference organized at the Asian Development Bank in July 2004. It evaluates the current state of economic cooperation and integration in Asia and its contribution to the development and stability of the region; explores the potential benefits of regional cooperation and integration, as well as its complexities; and challenges and discusses possible directions for enhancing economic integration within the region. The downloadable part I presents an overview of economic cooperation and integration in Asia.
Accessed on 22 September 2005 from:
< http://www.adb.org/Documents/Books/Asian-Economic-Cooperation-Integration/ >

Economic policy responses to preference erosion: from trade as aid to aid for trade. September 2005. Policy Research Working Paper. Available on-line (PDF-Format, 31 pages, 370 Kb). World Bank.
Trade preferences are a central issue in ongoing efforts to negotiate further multilateral trade liberalization. "Less preferred" countries are increasingly concerned about the discrimination they confront, while "more preferred" developing countries worry that WTO-based liberalization of trade will erode the value of current preferential access regimes. This tension suggests there is a political economy case for preference-granting countries to explicitly address erosion fears. The authors argue that the appropriate instrument for this is development assistance. The alternative of addressing erosion concerns through the trading system will generate additional discrimination and trade distortions, rather than moving the WTO toward a more liberal, non-discriminatory regime. Given that many poor countries have not been able to benefit much from preference programs, a case is also made that preference erosion should be considered as part of a broader response by OECD countries to calls to make the trading system more supportive of economic development. The focus should be on identifying actions and policy measures that will improve the ability of developing countries to use trade for development.
Accessed on 22 September 2005 from: <http://econ.worldbank.org/external/default/main?>

Exploring Best Practices of E-Commerce Application in SMTEs in the APEC Region. March 2005. Available on-line (PDF-Format, 63 pages, 831 Kb). APEC/Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Korea.
This publication is the result of a study to explore best practices of e-commerce application in small and medium tourism enterprises (SMTEs) in the APEC region. The main purpose of the study was to understand the current status and potential of e-commerce for SMTEs, to present successful examples in order to promote investment into informationalization, and to maximize e-commerce usage for SMTEs.
Accessed on 8 September 2005 from:
<http//www.apecsec.org.sg/apec/publications/>

Integrated Assessment of the Impact of Trade Liberalization: Country Studies on the Rice Sector in Viet Nam. September 2005. Available on-line (PDF-Format, 99 pages, 1309 Kb). UNEP.
The study illustrates the application of techniques for Integrated Assessment (IA) of trade and trade-related policies based on empirical evidence. It provides a basis for formulating appropriate measures to ensure the rice sector in the country supports sustainable development objectives.
Accessed on 27 September 2005 from:
< http://www.unep.ch/etb/publications/intAssessment/Vietnam.pdf >

The effect of China and India’s growth and trade liberalisation on poverty in Africa. May 2005. Available on-line (PDF-Format, 99 pages, 519 Kb). Southern Africa Regional Poverty Network.
This paper considers the implications of the growing links between African countries and China and India, focusing on poverty in particular. Growth in Asia has implications for other countries through its impact on their exports to the Asian drivers themselves (positive) and to third countries (negative), and through their imports from China and India. It may also have implications for FDI flows either through the diversion of FDI from other countries to China or India, or through the growth of outward investment from the Asian countries. There may also be indirect impacts through the effects of China’s growth on global economic growth and on world prices of primary commodities.
Accessed on 27 September 2005 from:
< http://www.sarpn.org.za/documents/d0001312/P1555-China_trade_Report_May2005.pdf >

The future of Preferential Trade Agreements for the Asia-Pacific region. 2005. Available on-line (PDF-Format, 40 pages, 856 Kb) International Monetary Fund.
This paper describes the proliferation of Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) in the Asia-Pacific region, discusses their characteristics and implementation, and assesses their potential effects. It makes the central point that realising the potential gains from Asia-Pacific PTAs requires a commitment to liberalize sensitive sectors, to maintain consistent provisions, and to enforce agreements. The main findings of this paper are that the proliferation of PTAs in the Asia-Pacific region will lead to a complex web of intersecting bilateral and regional trade agreements in the near future; that the Asia-Pacific region has benefited from multilateral liberalisation in the past, but the recent proliferation of PTAs reflects the surge of interest in regionalism; there is little standardisation of conditions under the PTAs; that there is no supranational institution to monitor implementation and to settle disputes; that most PTAs have commitments to eliminate non-tariff barriers and to liberalise agriculture; and that Asia-Pacific PTAs offer potential gains, although the realization of these gains depends on the commitment to liberalize sensitive sectors such as agriculture, to maintain consistent provisions, and to enforce agreements.
Accessed on 20 September 2005 from:
< http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/wp/2005/wp05149.pdf >

The People’s Republic of China and its Neighbors: Evolving Patterns of Trade and Investment. 2005. Available on-line (PDF-Format, 16 pages, 152.4 Kb). ADB Institute.
The paper discusses the conception that the rapid growth of China has generated considerable concern among neighboring countries and that they will lose export markets and foreign investment to China. It is argued that this view is not backed by firm, empirical evidence. Drawing on trade theory, the paper surveys the results of a diverse set of studies that use different approaches, ranging from simple descriptions of trade data to econometric analyses of trade and investment, to full macroeconomic models. The general conclusion is that China's rapid growth offers significant opportunities for neighbors to increase their exports to China and that this is likely to more than offset losses in other markets. Similarly, the fear of foreign investment diversion to China seems exaggerated.
Accessed on 21 September from:
< http://www.adbi.org/files/2005.09.dp33.prc.trade.patterns.pdf >

Trade and Development for 2005. September 2005. For sale. Price: US$ 19.00 (for developing countries). Available on-line (PDF-Format, 204 Pages, 2947 Kb). UNCTAD.
The Trade and Development Report 2005 analyzes the recent trends in the world economy with special focus on trade and development. The report addresses the following issues: global prospects and imbalances; East and South Asia as a new growth pole; shifting trade patterns in China and India; the growing importance of South-South trade; terms of trade revisited; and policies for managing the new forms of global interdependence.
Accessed on 19 September 2005 from: < http://www.unctad.org/en/docs/tdr2005_en.pdf >

www.atpf.org
Asian Trade Promotion Forum
Asian Trade Promotion Forum (ATPF) is a gathering of Trade Promotion Organizations (TPOs) in the Asian Region. The objective of ATPF is to enhance trade in the region through information exchange, implementation of cooperative projects and strengthening networks among ATPF members. The website offers information on trade and business in Asia, such as economy, trade fairs, business partners, match making, company directory, trade policy, regulation, standards, trade statistics and market information.
Accessed on 20 September 2005

www.abareconomics.com
Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics
E-mail: mfinnegan@abare.gov.au
The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE) is an economic research agency of the Government of Australia. The most important items on the Australian and international policy agendas are: multilateral trade negotiations and more open agricultural markets; greenhouse gas emissions and climate change response policies; water policy reform; salinity management; international energy developments; energy market reform; minerals exploration and policies; issues in regional Australia and Australian farm performance. The Bureau also produces regular quarterly forecasts for the full range of export commodities, namely agriculture, minerals, energy, fisheries and forestry.
Accessed on 21 September 2005

www.competition-regulation.org.uk/
Centre on Regulation and Competition
E-mail: crc@man.ac.uk
The Centre on Regulation and Competition (CRC) undertakes research that evaluates the ways in which regulation and competition processes work in markets and organizations in the public and private sectors in developing countries. CRC operates as a partnership of seven internationally recognized research institutions in Africa and Asia to provide research and to contribute to the development of capacity building relating to regulation and competition. CRC also works in this field with five research institutions in China and has numerous associations with individuals and institutions around the world.
Accessed on 20 September 2005

www.doingbusiness.org
Doing Business
E-mail: rru@worldbank.org
The Doing Business database provides indicators of the cost of doing business by identifying specific regulations that enhance or constrain business investment, productivity, and growth. The indicators are developed by the Private Sector Vice Presidency of the World Bank Group in cooperation with the Lex Mundi Association of law firms and the International Bar Association. The indicators include number of procedures, time (days), official costs, extent of disclosure, extent of director liability, number of documents, strength of investor protection and paid-in capital for each business transaction/organization e.g. dealing with licenses, registering property, getting credit, starting a business, paying taxes, protecting investors, hiring and firing workers, trading across borders, enforcing contracts, and closing a business, etc.
Accessed on 27 September 2005

www.gmac-cambodia.org
Garment Manufacture Association in Cambodia
E-mail: info@gmac-cambodia.org
The website of the Garment Manufacture Association in Cambodia (GMAC) is intended to help readers gain an insight into the garment industry in Cambodia for gaining general knowledge or for the development of business opportunities. It provides the latest industry news as well as a comprehensive member’s database including full quota data since 1999 and information about GMAC council members. Detailed legal sections in English and Chinese are being developed for broader information.
Accessed on 2 September 2005

www.mrepc.com/
Malaysian Rubber Export Promotion Council
E-mail: admin@mrepc.com
The Malaysian Rubber Export Promotion Council (MREPC) promotes Malaysian rubber and rubber manufactured products on the world market. It operates under the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities and works towards facilitating and promoting the export of quality rubber products, identifying market opportunities, and enhancing market access; setting a special focus on the support of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Accessed on 19 September 2005

www.customs.gov.mv
Maldives Customs Services
E-mail: info@customs.gov.mv
The Maldives Customs Services is responsible for revenue collection, applying information technology to assessing and collecting import and export duties. Further responsibilities include intercepting and seizing contraband, illicit drugs, firearms and other prohibited items and control restricted items; and processing passengers, luggage, cargo and overseas mail-delivered articles. It acts as an agent for various government organizations in the controlling of the movements of persons and goods entering and leaving the Maldives.
Accessed on 21 September 2005

http://rjdgftldh.nic.in/
Office of the Regional Joint Directorate General of Foreign Trade in Ludhiana, India
E-mail: dgft-ldh@chd.nic.in
The main functions of the office of the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) in Ludhiana are to implement the foreign trade policy of India, and to act as a bridge between trade and industry and the Central Government. The office works towards increasing exports by providing assistance to states for infrastructure development for exports; financial assistance to export promotion councils, industry and trade associations, agencies of State Government, Indian Commercial mission abroad and other persons; financial assistance for marketing development; and financial assistance for meeting the legal expenses for trade related matters. It is also involved in recognizing towns of export excellence and providing special facilities to such towns; recognizing the exporters contributing substantially to the export kitty of the country and providing them special benefits; providing assistance to service sector by recognizing their efforts and extending them additional benefits; providing duty free imports of raw materials consumables etc. meant to be used in exports; neutralizing the incidence of customs duty loaded in the export product; and to create trade related infrastructure by providing for creation of free trade and warehousing zones.
Accessed on 22 September 2005

www.sbf.org.sg/
Singapore Business Federation
The Singapore Business Federation (SBF) facilitates the interests of the business community in Singapore, in trade, investment and industrial relations. Nationally, SBF acts as the bridge between the government and the businesses in Singapore to create and enhance a conducive business environment. Internationally, SBF represents the business community in bilateral, regional, multilateral fora for the purpose of promoting trade expansion and business networking.
Accessed on 21 September 2005

www.ecvn.gov.vn
The National Electronic Commercial Portal, Viet Nam
Email: ecvn@mot.gov.vn
The National Electronic Commercial Portal (ECVN) is operated by the Ministry of Trade for the purpose of constructing a commercial portal for the Vietnamese businesses community. It assists businesses to be quickly acquainted with and participate in e-commerce in order to improve their competitiveness. The three main functions of ECVN are assisting enterprises to sell and buy products online, providing online services of commercial assistances, and providing on line public services related to imports and exports.
Accessed on 7 September 2005

http://www.uzexport.com/eng/
UzExport.com - Made in Uzbekistan
E-mail: info@uzexport.com
The website presents up-to-date information on the export potential of the entrepreneurs of Uzbekistan. A wide range of information includes business offers from exporters, supplemental information service, analytical reviews and expert recommendations on local and foreign economic relations' procedures. UzExport provides the following services: advertisement of business both in Uzbekistan and world-wide; business card regular up-date in remote access mode; assistance in finding a partner in the line of innovation, investment, trade or industry; access to the world-wide offers on distribution, component parts delivery orders, and servicing on tolling base; partner's accountability evaluation service; on-line participation in company rating, and trade spot; service on correspondence, international talks and contracts; access to the variety of info on international business operation and economic experts' advice within the framework of the exporters forum.
Accessed on 21 September 2005

Information is taken mainly from secondary sources and UNESCAP accepts no responsibility for its accuracy. Mention of any companies and their products does not imply endorsement by the United Nations.

The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.