• TRADE AND INVESTMENT PUBLICATIONS
• SELECTED WORLDWIDE WEBSITES

From Groundnuts to Globalization: A Structural Estimate of Trade and Growth. September 2006. Available online (PDF-Format, 45 pages, 316 KB). Working Paper No. 12512, National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER).
Economists have been able to model how trade enhances growth through the creation and import of new varieties of goods. International trade increases economic output through two channels. First, trade raises productivity levels because producers gain access to new imported varieties. Second, increases in the number of varieties drives down the cost of innovation and results in ever more variety creation. Using highly disaggregate trade data, the authors of this paper structurally estimate the impact that new imports have had. They then move from groundnuts to globalization by building an exact total factor productivity index that aggregates these micro gains to obtain an estimate of trade on productivity growth. They find that in the typical country in the world, new imported varieties account for 15 per cent of its productivity growth. These effects are larger in developing countries where the median impact of new imported varieties equals a quarter of national productivity growth.
Accessed on 11 October < http://papers.nber.org/papers/w12512.pdf >

Global Competitiveness Report 2006-2007. September 2006. Hardcopy for Sale £ 65; extracts available online as PDF-Format: contents (1 page, 79 KB), preface (2 pages, 129 KB), executive summary (5 pages, 66 KB) and full rankings (PDF-Format, 1 page, 95 KB; and Excel, 33 KB). World Economic Forum.
The 27th edition of the annual competitiveness report provides the most comprehensive assessment of competitiveness of 125 developed and emerging economies. Switzerland, Finland and Sweden are the world’s most competitive economies according to the report. Of the countries of Asia and the Pacific, the top ten are: Singapore; Japan; Hong Kong, China; Taiwan Province of China; Australia; New Zealand; Republic of Korea; Malaysia; Thailand and India. The rankings are drawn from a combination of publicly available hard data and the results of the executive opinion survey, a comprehensive annual survey conducted by the World Economic Forum, together with its network of partner institutes (leading research institutes and business organizations) in the countries covered by the Report.
Accessed on 10 October
< http://www.weforum.org/en/initiatives/gcp/Global%20Competitiveness%20Report/index.htm >

Global Imbalances and the Asian Economies: Implications for Regional Cooperation. August 2006. Available online (PDF-Format, 35 pages, 331 KB). Office of Regional Economic Integration, ADB.
This paper poses the question of how policy, in Asia in particular, should be adapted in light of a disorderly correction of global imbalances. It distinguishes two questions: 1) What policy adjustments should be implemented now, while the trans-Pacific imbalance persists? Are there constructive policy adjustments that would minimize the danger of a disorderly correction of the current position and help facilitate the adjustment of current accounts to sustainable levels? 2) If a disorderly adjustment nonetheless takes place, what policies should Governments and central banks then implement to minimize damaging consequences? In particular, how should Asian countries respond to a sharp fall in the level of the dollar, if and when it occurs? In each context, the author considers the case for international policy coordination across the Pacific and within Asia. The paper also analyzes whether coordinated responses are likely to be more efficient than responses taken individually at the national level, both ex ante and ex post.
Accessed on 10 October
< http://aric.adb.org/pdf/workingpaper/Eichengreen%20170806a%20final.pdf >

IP rights under investment agreements: the TRIPS-plus implications for enforcement and protection of public interest. August 2006. Available online (PDF-Format, 61 pages, 345 KB). South Centre.
The proliferation of investment and intellectual property (IP) agreements has been accompanied by an increasing number and expanded scope of investment disputes. The agreements give rise to various issues that particularly affect developing countries. One of the issues that has recently started to influence the negotiations for new investment agreements involves the question of the status of IP rights and the impact of investment agreements on the rights, obligations and regulatory discretions of countries under the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspect of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) of the World Trade Organization (WTO). IP rights validly acquired in accordance with the domestic law can constitute investment. This paper reviews the legal aspects of the problem of treating IP as investment assets under investment agreements and examines the relation of the provisions of investment agreements on the flexibilities and regulatory discretions available under the TRIPS Agreement for the promotion of public interest, innovation, technology transfer and competition policy and regulation. It also examines the relationship between investment agreements and enforcement of IP rights.
Accessed on 10 October
< http://www.southcentre.org/publications/researchpapers/ResearchPapers8.pdf >

Measuring Competitiveness. September 2006. Available online (PDF-Format, 21 pages, 461 KB). Working Paper No. 06/209, IMF.
This paper reviews alternative approaches to measuring an economy's cost competitiveness and proposes some new measures inspired by the economic theory of index numbers. The indices provide a theoretical benchmark for estimated real effective exchange rates, but differ from standard measures in that they are based on marginal rather than average sectoral shares in GDP or employment.
Accessed on 11 October < http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/wp/2006/wp06209.pdf >

OECD Risk Awareness Tool for Multinational Enterprises in Weak Governance Zones. June 2006. Available online (PDF-Format, 45 pages, 886 KB). Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
This risk awareness tool aims to help companies that invest in countries where Governments are unwilling or unable to assume their responsibilities. It addresses risks and ethical dilemmas that companies are likely to face in such weak governance zones, including obeying the law and observing international instruments, heightened care in managing investments, knowing business partners and clients and dealing with public sector officials, and speaking out about wrongdoing. The Risk Awareness Tool was developed as part of the OECD Investment Committee's follow up to the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, a voluntary, Government-backed code of conduct for international business. It is non-prescriptive and consistent with the objectives and principles of the Guidelines. The Risk Awareness Tool has benefited from inputs from business, trade unions and civil society representatives from both the OECD and non-OECD areas.
Accessed on 11 October < http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/26/21/36885821.pdf >

Shanghai Accord. Trade Facilitation Final Report. September 2006. Available online (PDF-Format, 74 pages, 424 KB). APEC Sub-Committee on Customs Procedures (SCCP).
In 2001, APEC Leaders committed to implementing the APEC Trade Facilitation Principles with a view to reducing trade transaction costs by 5 per cent by 2006. When reviewing mid-term report options, in early 2004, it was agreed that given the ongoing work of the Committee on Trade and Investment to develop a quantitative methodology to measure transaction costs, SCCP would concentrate efforts on providing a qualitative report. Further, it was agreed that the qualitative report would be a compilation of initiatives implemented since 2001. These examples, or case studies, formed the basis of the SCCP trade facilitation mid-term report. The final report is an extension and more comprehensive version of the mid-term report. It provides qualitative examples of initiatives undertaken by SCCP members to reduce trade transaction costs. To make the report more relevant to business, the final report links the examples of SCCP members with the priorities for Customs administrations that have been identified by the APEC Business Advisory Council. Customs administrations from the APEC region have achieved significant progress in streamlining, upgrading and harmonizing their activities.
Accessed on 10 October
< http://www.apec.org/apec/publications/all_publications/ >

Trading on Time. May 2006. Available online (PDF-Format, 39 pages, 347 KB). Policy Research Working Paper 3909, World Bank.
This paper discusses how time delays affect international trade, making use of World Bank data on the days it takes to move standard cargo from the factory gate to the ship in 126 countries. The authors estimate a modified gravity equation, controlling for endogeneity and remoteness. On average, each additional day that a product is delayed prior to being shipped reduces trade by at least 1 per cent. Put differently, each day is equivalent to a country distancing itself from its trade partners by 70 km on average. Delays have an even greater impact on developing country exports and exports of time-sensitive goods, such as perishable agricultural products. In particular, a day’s delay reduces a country’s relative exports of time-sensitive to time-insensitive agricultural goods by 6 per cent.
Accessed on 11 October
< http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/IW3P/ >

This document presents the main findings and some further analysis carried out by Transparency International on the results of the Bribe Payers Index (BPI) 2006. The BPI looks at the propensity of companies from 30 leading exporting countries to bribe abroad. Companies from the wealthiest countries generally rank in the top half of the Index, but still routinely pay bribes, particularly in developing economies. Companies from the emerging export powers India, China and the Russian Federation rank at the bottom of the list. The report argues that in the case of China and other emerging export powers, efforts to strengthen domestic anti-corruption activities have failed to extend abroad. It provides insight into the rankings given in the index itself and highlights other areas of interest.
Accessed on 10 October < http://www.transparency.org/news_room/in_focus/bpi_2006#pr >

http://www.aqis.gov.au/
Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS)
E-mail: pr@aqis.gov.au
The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service provides quarantine inspection for international passengers, cargo, mail, animals, plants and animal or plant products arriving in Australia, and inspection and certification for a range of agricultural products exported from Australia. The website provides general information as well as specific information on importing goods to Australia, including a database to check for import conditions; exporting goods from Australia, with databases on export conditions for plants and plant products, for live animals and reproductive material; and travelling or moving to Australia.

http://www.bgmea.com/
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA)
E-mail: info@bgmea.com; bgmeanet@agni.com
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association works towards establishing a healthy business environment for a close and mutually beneficial relationship between garment manufacturers, exporters and importers to ensure a steady growth in the foreign exchange earnings of Bangladesh. BGMEA’s activities include monitoring international apparel trade and trade fairs and disseminating the relevant information; encouraging cooperation between industries, companies, firms engaged in manufacturing of garments, allied industries and exporters of ready-made garments; helping to resolve trade disputes between the members and the buyers; educating the displaced workers below the age of 14 years and the children of workers through setting up of school-cum-health centres in different zones of Dhaka, Narayangonj and Chittagong; ensuring adoption of safety measures in order to avert fire accidents in factories; and more. Material on the website includes export data, a bulletin board, information about events and fairs, contact addresses an a section on quota monitoring.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/programmes/globalisation/
BBC Globalization website
The Globalization website of the BBC offers in-depth reports that explore different facets of the complex, evolving phenomenon of globalization. Four broad areas are featured on the website: 1) Inside the global giants: with exclusive access to five of the world's most powerful companies, the BBC investigates how multinationals that dominate the global economy make their decision. 2) The noisy planet: How does noise affect us? Has sound become a drug we all have to take? And what will the future sound like? 3) Fast food culture: Exploring the revolutionary power of fast food, this special inspects how certain companies have transformed the lives of those who produce food and those who eat it. 4) Global music machine: examine how Western pop music is listened to and sold throughout the world.

http://www.fistenet.gov.vn
Fisheries Informatics Centre, Ministry of Fisheries Viet Nam (FICen)
E-mail: ttam.bts@hn.vnn.vn
The Fisheries Information Centre has the functions of management and implementation of activities of information services in the level of the Ministry of Fisheries. It is also tasked to provide concrete guidance on professional skills to information departments of all institutions and agencies under the Ministry of Fisheries of Viet Nam. The main tasks of FICen include information services, e.g. to provide fisheries information by publications, fax, telephone line and e-mail and to organize, establish and develop a information system of the sector in the whole country; establishment of databases, e.g. statistic information on fisheries trading, markets and price of all kinds of fisheries products; information publications including fisheries scientific and technological Information; information technology, e.g. to organize training courses on IT for managers and staff working at the Ministry and local Fisheries Departments; and international cooperation.

http://www.fic.kz
Foreign Investors’ Council (FIC), Kazakhstan
E-mail: info@fic.kz
The Foreign Investors’ Council was established to promote direct dialogue between the Government of Kazakhstan and foreign investors in order to efficiently address key issues related to their investment activities in the country. It works to improve the investment climate of Kazakhstan for the benefit of foreign investors, local and national companies, and the economic development and wealth of the country and its people. The major objectives of the Foreign Investors’ Council include developing and submitting recommendations to the President and Government of Kazakhstan on key investment and economic development issues, and analyzing and discussing other core investment policy issues upon the instruction of the President of Kazakhstan. The website provides an investment guide that informs on investment-related issues, including legal provisions, taxation schemes, etc.

http://www.gs1.org
GS1
GS1 is a global organization dedicated to the design and implementation of global standards and solutions to improve the efficiency and visibility of supply and demand chains globally and across sectors. The goal of GS1 is to simplify global commerce by connecting the flow of information with the flow of goods. GS1's main activity is the development of the GS1 System, an integrated system of global standards that provides for accurate identification and communication of information regarding products, assets, services and locations. GS1 maintains local offices in the following Asian-Pacific countries: Armenia; Australia; Azerbaijan; Cambodia; China; Democratic People's Republic of Korea; Georgia; Hong Kong, China; India; Indonesia; Japan; Kazakhstan; Kyrgyzstan; Macao, China; Malaysia; Mongolia; New Zealand; Philippines; Republic of Korea; Singapore; Sri Lanka; Taiwan Province of China; Thailand; Uzbekistan and Viet Nam.

http://www.ifoam.org
International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM)
E-mail: headoffice@ifoam.org
The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements is the worldwide umbrella organization for the organic movement, uniting more than 750 member organizations in 108 countries. IFOAM participates in international agricultural and environmental negotiations with the United Nations and multilateral institutions to further the interests of the organic agricultural movement worldwide. It provides a market guarantee for integrity of organic claims, namely the Organic Guarantee System (OGS), a common system of standards, verification and market identity. Through various programmes, conferences and events, IFOAM is laying the groundwork for the further development of organic agriculture and its markets worldwide. Through IFOAM World Congresses, international trade conferences, commodity-specific (coffee, seeds, wild products, etc.) and other events, it brings together the key players from all over the planet to facilitate trade in organic products.

http://www.standardsinfo.net/
ISO/IEC Information Centre
The ISO/IEC Information Centre is jointly operated by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Its objective is to provide stakeholders with information about standardization, standards and related matters. The website serves as a portal to the main information given on various pages of the ISO and IEC websites e.g. the ISO and IEC Catalogues; provides an enquiry service for users; and gives access to the websites of national standards organizations via the World Standards Services Network (WSSN). The website also provides information on the relationship between the WTO, ISO and IEC with regard to world trade, and on standardizing bodies which have accepted the WTO Technical Barriers to Trade Code of Good Practice for the Preparation, Adoption and Application of standards. In addition, the site contains and provides access to reference publications on standards development, distribution and use, and on information sources.

http://www.spse.com.fj
South Pacific Stock Exchange (SPSE)
E-mail: info@spse.com.fj
The South Pacific Stock Exchange (SPSE) is the only licensed securities exchange in the Fiji Islands. SPES currently trades the following securities: listed company shares; Government bonds; statutory authority bonds; Government treasury bills; statutory authority promissory notes; Reserve Bank of Fiji notes, issued for monetary policy purposes; and tradable term deposits. The website offers company information, an investor’s guide, market statistics and more.

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.