• TRADE AND INVESTMENT PUBLICATIONS
• SELECTED WORLDWIDE WEBSITES

Boosting Business Performance through Programme and Project Management: A First Global Survey on the Current State of Project Management Maturity in Organizations across the World. Available on-line (PDF-Format, 32 pages, 3.1 Mb). PriceWaterhouse Coopers.
Over half of global business projects fail, while only 2.5 per cent of them are fully successful, that is, they are completed on time, within budget and are yielding the expected business benefits. The report was based on a survey of 200 large and small organizations in 30 countries from a broad range of industries. Its findings suggest that superior business performance is dependent on project management maturity levels. Some 60 percent of the respondents were dissatisfied with their current maturity level. By sector, ICT and entertainment companies had the highest maturity levels, while the lowest maturity levels were found in public sector, followed closely by the pharmaceutical sector and financial services.
Accessed on 19 October 2004 from
<http://www.pwc.com/images/gx/eng/about/svcs/grms/pmms.pdf>

Country Economic Report: Maldives. (CER: MLD 2004-13). September 2004. Available on-line (PDF-Format, 35 pages). ADB.
Maldives has achieved impressive economic and social development since independence in 1965. Sound government macroeconomic policies, favorable external conditions, and strong donor support have moved Maldives from being one of the poorest countries in South Asia to a country with the highest per capita income in the region.
The report includes:
I. Recent Economic Developments
- Growth and Employment
- Fiscal Developments
- Monetary Developments and Prices
- External Trade Balance of Payments, and Foreign Debt
II. Short-and Medium-Term Economic Prospects and Policy Issues
- Key Policy Issues
Accessed on 18 October 2004 from
<http://www.adb.org/Documents/CERs/MLD/2004/cer-mld-2004.pdf>

Global Agricultural Trade and Developing Countries. November 2004. For sale. Price: US$45.00. World Bank.
The book presents research findings based on a series of commodity studies of significant economic importance to developing countries. First, the global picture is set with background chapters and investigations of cross-cutting issues. Trade and domestic policy regimes affecting agricultural and food markets are described, and the resulting patterns of production and trade are assessed. Detailed commodity studies are coffee, cotton, dairy, fruits and vegetables, groundnuts, rice, seafood products, sugar, and wheat. These markets feature distorted policy regimes among industrial or middle-income countries. This book also complements the recently published Agriculture and the WTO that focuses primarily on the agricultural issues within the context of the WTO negotiations.
Accessed on 26 October 2004 from
<http://publications.worldbank.org/ecommerce/catalog/product?item_id=3829969>

Global Economic Prospects 2005: Regionalism and Development. November 2004. For sale. Price: US$38.00. World Bank.
While the multilateral WTO talks remain mired in contentious debate, new bilateral and regional preferential trading arrangements are mushrooming all over the globe. The surge in regional trading arrangements prompts many questions that the Global Economic Prospects 2005 takes up:
- What type of regional and bilateral arrangements are most beneficial—and which types stifle development?
- Do these agreements inspire deeper integration that multilateral trade agreements cannot?
- Do they contribute to—or detract from—incentives for countries to engage in the multilateral Doha trade talks?
Accessed on 13 October 2004 from
<http://publications.worldbank.org/ecommerce/catalog/product?item_id=3426794>

Intra-Industry Trade in India’s Manufacturing Sector. Occasional Paper No. 102. August 2004. For sale. Price: Rs. 300. Export-Import Bank of India.
The study analyses trends and patterns of intra-industry trade in manufacturing sector in India during 1987-1988 to 1999-2000, a period that witnessed significant trade liberalization initiatives in India.
Contents:
- Theory and Measurement
- Trade and Industrial Policy Changes in India: Effects on Intra-Industry Trade
- Trends and Patterns of Intra-Industry Trade: A Descriptive Analysis
- Intra-Industry Trade and Country-Specific Factors
- Intra-Industry Trade and Industry-Specific Factors
Web site: <http://www.eximbankindia.com>

Productivity Growth and Trade in Indian Industry. Occasional Paper No. 101. August 2004. For sale. Price: Rs. 300. Export-Import Bank of India.
The study examines whether trade liberalization has had a beneficial impact on total factor productivity of the industrial sector in India between 1980 and 1995.
Objectives of the study were:
- Disaggregated comparison of total factor productivity growth across trade regimes;
- Computation of aggregate productivity growth using the Domar aggregation scheme;
- Quantification of trade barriers for individual industry groups for the period 1980-95; and
- An econometric analysis of the impact of trade liberalization on industrial productivity growth.
Web site: <http://www.eximbankindia.com>

Project Exports: Connecting Continents with Indian Expertise. 2004. For sale. Price: Rs. 1,000. Export-Import Bank of India.
Exim Bank of India supports Indian companies at all stages of the project cycle from advance tender information, guidance in preparation of competitive bids to providing financial facilities including loans and guarantees. The projects range from power generation, transmission and distribution, dams tunnels, oil exploration, operation and maintenance to export of capital goods, transport equipment and consultancy services.
Contents:
- India’s Project Exports Scenario
- Multilateral Funding Agencies
- Export Credit Agencies
- Role of Export Credit
- Growth in India’s Project Exports: Problems and Constraints
- Strategy for Boosting India’s Project Exports
Web Site: <http://www.eximbankindia.com>

South Asia Development and Cooperation Report 2004. Available on-line (PDF Format, 111 pages, 805 bytes). RIS.
The report prepared by RIS for the 12th SAARC Summit, presents and analysis of the economic performance of the region; highlights the challenges it faces and makes several proposals for regional economic cooperation in different areas.
Contents:
- Global Economic Trends and South Asia;
- Reforms and Global Economic Integration of South Asia;
- Macroeconomic Performance and Outlook of South Asia;
- Trade Performance and Competitiveness;
- Foreign Direct Investment and Global Production Networks;
- Regional Economic Integration in South Asia: Lessons from Different Approaches;
- Transport Infrastructure: Present Status and Potentials for Cooperation;
- Biotechnology in South Asia: Issues, Concerns and Opportunities for Cooperation.
Accessed on 26 October 2004 from <http://www.ris.org.in/sadcr2004.pdf>

Thailand Business Forecast Report. For sale. Price: US$575. Business Monitor International.
The report provides Thailand’s prospects for over the next three years, set against government and consensus views. It examines political and social risks posed to the business operating environment and the continuity of economic policy-making, and presents GDP growth, industrial growth, employment, inflation and consumption. It also analyses recent trends in fiscal, exchange and monetary policy, the balance of payments, foreign direct investment and debt, and assesses the performance and prospects for leading industry sectors.
Accessed on 26 October 2004 from <http://www.businessmonitor.com/thailandforecast.html>

Viet Nam Foreign Direct Investment and Post-crisis Regional Integration. (ERD Working Paper No. 56). September 2004. Available on-line (PDF-Format, 43 pages). ADB.
Since Viet Nam started its transition from a centrally planned economy to a socialist-oriented market economy, many reforms have been implemented. The Foreign Investment Law signaled an important step toward Viet Nam’s integration in the regional and international economic systems. The relatively low amount of foreign investment relative to other countries in East and Southeast Asia made more evident the necessity of a new set of reforms in order to compete with Asian neighbors, and principally with China, in the attraction of foreign direct investment. Accession to the ASEAN Free Trade Area represents an important event and a new scenario where Viet Nam will compete and cooperate with its partners. It calls for a serious analysis of the changes occurring in comparative advantages of the Southeast Asian economies after the economic crises and of the role that Viet Nam can play in the regional production network.
Accessed on 19 October 2004 from <http://www.adb.org/Documents/ERd/Working_Papers/wp056.pdf>

http://www.aseansources.com
Aseansources.com
Email: info@aseansources.com
Aseansources.com is an Internet marketing trade leads business directory for wholesalers, distributors, manufacturers, exporters and importers in the small and medium-sized companies globally. With advance features like focusing on Asia trade leads, dedicated for Asia wholesale distributors at facilitating trade and strategic sourcing for business opportunities within the region.
Accessed on 26 October 2004.

http://www.asiarice.org
Asia Rice Foundation
Email: asiarice@laguna.net; asiarice@mozart.inet.co.th
Asia Rice Foundation is a regional non-profit organization. More than 90 per cent of the world's rice is grown and consumed in Asia. National rice foundations are established in major rice-growing countries to undertake rice programs, projects and activities relevant to the needs and constraints of the respective countries. The foundation serves as the secretariat to coordinate and provide support to their rice programs and activities. Five national rice foundations have been established in Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand. In addition to the national rice foundations, affiliate chapters are set up in industrialized countries, such as the Asia Rice Foundation USA and Asia Rice Foundation Support Group in Japan.
Accessed on 26 October 2004.

http://www.intracen.org/etradebridge/
e-Trade Bridge Programme (ITC)
Email: etradebridge@intracen.org
Objectives: To create internationally competitive e-competent enterprise and build capacities within the institutions which support them. The e-Trade Bridge Programme has undertaken a new phase of the activities designed to support and promote the use of "e" as a vehicle of trade and competitiveness for the SMEs. This programme is entitled "e-Nabling".
Accessed on 26 October 2004.

http://www.epch.com/aboutepch.htm
Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), India
Email: delhi@epch.com
Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) is an apex organization of trade and industry sponsored by Ministry of Textile, Government of India for promotion of handicraft.
Activities:
- Provides technical information, advice and services to members;
- Explores overseas market opportunities;
- Participates in international trade fairs;
- Disseminates of government notification, orders and other relevant information to members.
Accessed on 26 October 2004.

http://www.ifc.org/ifcext/gbo.nsf/Content/home
IFC - Grassroots Business Initiative
Email: abarbeito@ifc.org
The Grassroots Business Initiative is a IFC and World Bank joint initiative to provide business assistance to grassroots business organizations (GBOs), socially minded business ventures targeting the world’s poorest, most marginalized people. Collaborating with others in this field, it provides technical assistance and long-term, patient capital investment and offers information about projects, documents and publications of interest, news and details of events, as well as relevant contacts.
Accessed on 26 October 2004.

http://www.sarawakpepper.gov.my
Pepper Marketing Board, Malaysia
Email: pmb@pepper.po.my
Pepper Marketing Board was established in 1972 to regulate, promote and improve the marketing of Sarawak pepper (the trade name for pepper from Malaysia) with the following objectives:
- Improve marketing system and encourage fair and effective marketing practices for Sarawak pepper and value-added pepper and pepper products in Malaysia;
- Improve the quality of Sarawak pepper exports;
- Diversify overseas market outlets and marketing arrangements for Sarawak pepper;
- Encourage production and facilitate marketing of value-added pepper and pepper products.
Accessed on 26 October 2004.

http://vi.unctad.org/SITE/TP/Data.nsf/home-web?OpenFrameset
UNCTAD Virtual Institute
UNCTAD Virtual Institute creates a global network of higher learning and research on trade and development issues to equip future generations of decision makers with the capacity to make informed choices about the economic development of their countries. The institute assists academic institutions worldwide to enhance their curricula, knowledge, training skills and research expertise in the areas of trade, investment and development. It provides open access to selected UNCTAD resources and pedagogical tools to help the interested institutions develop their own high-quality training materials. It also hosts a network of academic institutions committed to sharing material, expertise and experience to enhance their training and research activities.
Accessed on 26 October 2004.

http://www.unido.org/doc/doc/3595
UNIDO Investment and Technology Promotion Offices (ITPOs)
Investment and Technology Promotion Offices primarily focus on strengthening the capacities of client countries and institutions to improve their competitiveness as well as on fostering industrial partnerships, in particular, between small- and medium-scale companies throughout the world.
ITPOs are one-stop shops for four services crucial to investment promotion and technology transfer:
- Dissemination of investment information;
- Identification and promotion of investment opportunities;
- Provision of training in promotional techniques; and
- Matching project sponsors with potential foreign investors.
Accessed on 26 October 2004.

http://www.wccwis.gr/Pages/what.htm
World Craft Council (WCC)
Email: wis@epcon.gr
World Crafts Council (WCC) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization. Its purpose is to strengthen the status of crafts as a vital part of cultural and economic life, to promote fellowship among the craftspeople of the world, and to advise and foster economic development through income generating activities. WCC members take part in domestic and international activities, such as seminars/conferences, workshops, exhibitions, competitions and exchange programs.
Accessed on 26 October 2004.

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.