• TRADE AND INVESTMENT PUBLICATIONS
• SELECTED WORLDWIDE WEBSITES

A Mid-term Stocktake of Progress Towards the Bogor Goals: Busan Roadmap to the Bogor Goals. December 2005. Available online (PDF-Format, 20 pages, 1.15 Mb) APEC.
In 1994, APEC leaders agreed in the Bogor Declaration to a common goal of free and open trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region, by 2010 for industrialized economies and 2020 for developing economies. These targets became known as the Bogor Goals. This Mid-term Stocktake report assesses how far APEC has moved towards the Bogor Goals and what further actions are needed to reach the target. The report is based on the self-assessment reports from 21 member economies and the export analysis thereon as well as the results from the Mid-term Stocktake Symposium held in May 2005.
Accessed on 19 January 2006 from:
http://www.apec.org/apec/publications.MedialibDownload.v1.html

Managing the Challenges of WTO Participation - 45 Case Studies: Analysis and special reports. December 2005. For Sale. Price: 80 CHF. WTO.
This compilation of 45 case studies documents disparate experiences among economies in addressing the challenges of participating in the WTO. It demonstrates that success or failure is strongly influenced by how governments and private sector stakeholders organise themselves at home. The contributors, mainly from developing countries, give examples of participation with lessons for others. They show that when the system is accessed and employed effectively, it can serve the interests of poor and rich countries alike. However, a failure to communicate among interested parties at home often contributes to negative outcomes on the international front. Above all, these case studies demonstrate that the WTO creates a framework within which sovereign decision-making can unleash important opportunities or undermine the potential benefits flowing from a rules-based international environment that promotes open trade.
Accessed on 23 January 2006 from: <http://onlinebookshop.wto.org/shop/article_details.asp?Id_Article=701>

Preserving Policy Space for Sustainable Development: The Subsidies Agreement at the WTO. December 2005. Available online (PDF-Format, 34 pages, 217.5 Kb). Trade Knowledge Network and International Institute for Sustainable Development.
This paper examines subsidy use for correcting distortions in the global economy and for spurring sustainable development. It is found that the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM) created significant policy space for nations to address technological, poverty and environmental problems. Until its expiration in 2000, Article 8 of the SCM provided cover for “green-light” subsidies towards research and development, regional development and environmental protection. While some nations took advantage of these provisions, their full potential was not realized before the Article expired. The authors argue that the fact that developed and developing nations have continued to use such subsidies under a tacit agreement not to challenge them under the SCM, reinforces their legitimacy and rationality. It is suggested that the Doha Declaration provides the opportunity to negotiate reinstatement and expansion of these subsidies. The authors’ position is that preserving this policy space makes more economic sense now more than ever, especially when subsidies are used to correct the many distortions in the global trading system.
Accessed on 16 January 2006 from: <http://www.tradeknowledgenetwork.net/pdf/tkn_policy_space.pdf>

State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA). 2005. Available online (PDF-Format, 211 pages, 1.4 Mb). FAO.
State of Food and Agriculture 2005 examines the many ways trade and trade liberalization affects the poor and food-insecure. It is found that trade can be a catalyst for change, promoting conditions that enable the poor to raise their incomes and live longer, healthier and more productive lives. But because the poor often survive on a narrow margin, they are particularly vulnerable in any reform process, especially in the short run as productive sectors and labour markets adjust. Opening national agricultural markets to international competition – especially from subsidized competitors – before basic market institutions and infrastructure are in place can undermine the agriculture sector with long-term negative consequences for poverty and food security. Among the many important lessons from this analysis is the need for policy-makers to consider carefully how trade and complementary policies can be used to promote pro-poor growth. The report recommends a twin-track approach: investing in human capital, institutions and infrastructure to enable the poor to take advantage of trade-related opportunities, while establishing safety nets to protect vulnerable members of society.
Accessed on 16 January 2006 from: <ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/008/a0050e/a0050e_full.pdf>

Sustainable Use of Natural Resources in the Context of Trade Liberalization and Export Growth in Indonesia: A Study on the Use of Economic Instruments in the Pulp and Paper Industry. November 2005. Available online (PDF-Format, 72 pages, 670 Kb). UNEP.
The Indonesian government is currently trying to internalize environmental implications of trade liberalization and export growth in the industrial sector by promoting incentive measures for efficient and sustainable use of natural resources for private sector growth. However, the relative lack of data and analysis on real life situations has been hampering the design of policy responses to encourage sustainable use of natural resources. This study therefore identifies and reviews existing environmental policies in the Indonesian pulp and paper industry. It offers a detailed assessment of existing market-based incentives, and proposes an effluent charge to abate pollution in the pulp and paper industry. The aim of this publication is to promote the use of economic instruments for environmental protection, by providing in-depth analysis, a comprehensive assessment, and a best practice for the utilization of economic instruments for others wishing to introduce economic instruments.
Accessed on 16 January 2006 from: <http://www.unep.ch/etb/publications/Indonesia.pdf>

Taxation and Technology Transfer: Key Issues. November 2005. For Sale. Price: US$ 15.00. Available online (PDF-Format, 58 pages, 466 Kb). UNCTAD.
The report gives an overview of the impact of taxation in developed and developing countries on the transfer of technology and seeks to shed light on the formulation of tax policies that could facilitate technology transfer. The study presents national tax policy options designed to facilitate technology transfer, along with several government initiatives, measures and institutions, as well as incentives provided to industry aimed at facilitating the transfer of technology. The study is intended as a resource for governments, institutions, industries, researchers and policy makers on taxation and technology export and import.
Accessed on 20 January 2006 from: <http://www.unctad.org/en/docs/iteipc20059_en.pdf>

The Greater Mekong Subregion Tourism Sector Strategy. 2005. Available online (PDF-Format, 88 pages, 1.37 Mb). ADB.
The study defines strategies in marketing, human resource development, heritage and social impact management, pro-poor tourism development, private sector participation, the facilitation of the movement of tourists to and within the subregion, and the development of tourism-related infrastructure that can ensure equitable distribution of benefits and enable pooling of resources needed to build, market and manage tourism in the Greater Mekong Subregion including Cambodia, China, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam.
Accessed on 23 January 2006 from: <http://www.adb.org/Documents/Books/GMS-Tourism-Study/tourism-study.pdf>

Trade and Structural Adjustment. 2005. Available online (PDF-Format, 25 pages, 8492 bytes). OECD.
The paper aims to identify, for both developed and developing countries, the requirements for successful trade-related structural adjustment via the reallocation of labour and capital to more efficient uses, while limiting adjustment costs for individuals, communities and society. The paper states that while appropriate policies adopted at the national level are at the heart of a successful adjustment process, bilateral, regional and multilateral co-operation play an important complementary role. Multilateral action is of particular importance in promoting the mutual interests of trade liberalisation, locking in domestic reform and building mutual confidence between enterprises and the societies in which they operate.
Accessed on 19 January 2006 from: <http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/58/40/34753254.pdf>

http://www.commerce.gov.mm/
Ministry of Commerce, Myanmar
Email: dotddg@commerce.gov.mm
The Ministry of Commerce plays a vital role in the implementation of the economic reforms towards the market-oriented economy, especially in the trade sector. The Ministry of Commerce sets out four main objectives and three basic principles as policy guidelines in trade performance. The main objectives are to support internal and external trade activities for the economic development of the country; to upgrade the commercial efficiency of the public and private trading houses; to increase the foreign exchange earnings of the country by export promotion and to encourage the trading activities of co-operatives and private entrepreneurs. Its basic principles are to aim trade activities at the interest of the State and the people, not to make trade activities a burden to the people and to aim trade activities at structuring a long-term viable trading system rather than to gain short-term profit.
Accessed on 23 January 2006

http://www.npc.org.my/
National Productivity Organization, Malaysia
Email: marketing@npc.org.my
The functions of the National Productivity Corporation (NPC) are to promote and disseminate productivity related information and issues; to establish an information and reference centre for productivity indices; to generate local expertise in the field of productivity, quality, management and entrepreneurship; to enhance the development of human resource both at the supervisory and management levels in the country; to advise on and coordinate the implementation of programmes and activities related to productivity and quality; to assess and certify supervisory and management training programmes, entrepreneurship programmes and productivity and quality management programmes conducted by the private sector for the public and to conduct training and consultancy services relating to productivity, quality, management and entrepreneurship.
Accessed on 19 January 2006

http://www.pnita.org
Pacific Northwest International Trade Association
E-mail: pnita@portlandalliance.com
Pacific Northwest International Trade Association (PNITA) is a private, non-profit trade association committed to promoting international trade throughout the Pacific Northwest region. It promotes non-partisan support for international trade, works to develop policies that reflect the interests and consensus of its members who are dedicated to supporting global competitiveness under a fair and equitable trading system. PNITA represents leading corporations and small businesses. Its members are exporters and importers in the fields of agriculture, manufacturing, and the service sectors. The Association also works closely with elected state and federal representatives to advocate for its members on trade interests of regional significance. These efforts include pursuing sound international tax policies, investing in the region’s transportation network, and promoting greater awareness and understanding of how trade benefits the economy and the community.
Accessed on 19 December 2005

http://www.smecambodia.org/
SME Cambodia
E-mail: smecambodia@sme.forum.org.kh
SME Cambodia is a non-governmental organization founded to create regional economic development, reduce rural to urban migration and strengthen and support private small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the public sector of Cambodia by creating social and human capital necessary for a competitive market economy. SME Cambodia provides SMEs in rural provinces and regions with business development services by facilitating private sector institution building and by assisting these newly formed organizations and their member enterprises to develop competitive sustainable businesses.
Accessed on 13 December 2005

http://www.asean.or.jp/eng/index.html
The ASEAN-Japan Centre
The ASEAN-Japan Centre has been promoting trade, investment and tourism relations between ASEAN countries and Japan. The main objectives of the ASEAN-Japan centre are to promote export from ASEAN to Japan, particularly semi-processed and manufactured goods; to accelerate the inflow of investment from Japan to ASEAN, including the transfer of skills and technology; and to vitalize tourist traffic from Japan to ASEAN. The website of the centre provides trade, investment and tourism information, such as details on products and potential ASEAN exporters and company listings.
Accessed on 24 January 2006

http://www.assocham.org/
The Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry of India
E-mail: assocham@nic.in
The Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) is a representative body of corporate India, articulating the needs and interests of its members. Its mission is to impact the policy and legislative environment so as to foster balanced economic, industrial and social development. The website aims to ensure the voice and concerns of ASSOCHAM are heeded by policy makers and legislators; to be proactive on policy initiatives that are in consonance with its mission; to enforce the network of relationships at national and international levels and to develop a learning organization sensitive to the development needs and concerns of its members.
Accessed on 5 January 2006

http://www.tobb.org.tr/eng/haber/haber.php
Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey
E-mail: info@tobb.org.tr
The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) provides trade information and advisory services to the Turkish Government sector and private sector in order to promote business and trade of the region. The Union provides commodity price and data to its members and publicizes it through the website. It also provides consultancy services to SMEs of the region with training programs for quality improvement to prepare reports on country, province and sector basis; to establish and maintain the sectoral assemblies for comprehensive and accurate identification of sectoral problems, transmission of findings to the Government and their timely finalization and to constitute, for performing detailed studies on economic and social issues as a requirement of its consultative functions, ad hoc specialization committees made up of experienced academicians and upper-level bureaucrats of concerned public and private agencies.
Accessed on 20 January 2006

http://www.usitc.gov/
The United States International Trade Commission
E-mail: Margaret.olaughlin@usitc.gov
The United States International Trade Commission is an independent federal agency with investigative responsibilities on trade matters. It investigates the effects of dumped and subsidized imports on domestic industries and conducts global safeguard investigations. The Commission also adjudicates cases involving alleged infringement by imports of intellectual property rights and serves as a federal resource where trade data and other trade policy-related information are gathered and analyzed. The mission of the Commission is to administer United States trade remedy laws; provide the President, United States Trade Representative, and Congress with independent analysis, information and support on matters of tariffs, international trade, and United States competitiveness; and maintain the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS).
Accessed on 25 January 2006

http://www.wcoomd.org/ie/en/en.html
World Customs Organization
E-mail: information@wcoomd.org
The World Customs Organization (WCO) promotes an honest, transparent and predictable Customs environment. The mission of WCO is to establish, maintain, support and promote international instruments for the harmonization and uniform application of simplified and effective Customs systems and procedures governing the movement of commodities, people and conveyances across Customs frontiers; to reinforce members’ efforts to secure compliance with their legislation, by endeavoring to maximize the level of effectiveness of members’ co-operation with each other and with international organizations in order to combat Customs and other transnational offences; and to assist members in their efforts to meet the challenges of the modern business environment and adapt to changing circumstances, by promoting communication and co-operation among members and with other international organizations, and by fostering integrity, human resource development, transparency, improvements in the management and working methods of Customs administrations and the sharing of best practices.
Accessed on 23 January 2006

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.