• TRADE AND INVESTMENT PUBLICATIONS
• SELECTED WORLDWIDE WEBSITES

2006 Trade Policy Agenda and 2005 Annual Report of the President of the United States on Trade Agreements Program. March 2006. Available online (PDF-Format, 472 pages, 2.7 Mb). United States Trade Representative.
The President of the United States of America, on an annual basis, reports the United States Congress on the Trade Agreement Programme by submitting a report on the preceding year as well as a policy agenda for the current year. The latest report reviews the administration’s accomplishments of 2005, describing the many benefits of trade for United States businesses, farmers and ranchers, service providers and consumers. The 2006 Trade Policy agenda lays out top trade policies for 2006, including the ambitious goal to conclude the Doha Development Round by the end of 2006. Furthermore, the report includes an annex, listing trade agreements entered into by the United States since 1984.
Accessed on 15 March 2006 from:
< http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Document_Library/ >

Cambodia enters the WTO: lessons learned for Least Developed Countries. 2005. Available on line (PDF Format, 13 pages, 264 Kb). ADB Institute.
Cambodia is the first least-develop country to enter the world trade organization (WTO). Its experience during the accession process offers a wealth of useful lessons for other developing countries. This publication discusses Cambodia’s experiences, told by its chief negotiator, and offers practical strategies and tactics for other developing countries engaged in accession talks. An annex of supplementary document illustrates the negotiations step by step.
Accessed on 14 March 2006 from:
< http://www.adbi.org/files/2005.10.rpb16.cambodia.wto.lessons.pdf >

Competitive implications of cross-border banking. February 2006. Available on line (PDF-Format, 25 pages, 309 Kb). World Bank.
This paper reviews the recent literature on cross-border banking focusing on policy implications. Defining cross-border banking as cross-border capital flows as well as cross-border entry in banking, the author finds evidence that cross-border banking supports the development of an efficient and stable financial system that offers a wide access to quality financial services at low cost. He argues, however, that as better financial systems have more cross-border banking, the relationship between cross-border banking and competitiveness has to be carefully judged. While developing countries have some special conditions, provided a minimum degree of oversight is in place, they experience effects similar to industrial countries. Reviewing the fast changing landscape of financial services provision, the author argues that cross-border banking highlights the increased importance of competition policy in financial services provision. Furthermore, with globalization accelerating, competition policy will need to be global, supported by greater cross-border institutional collaboration and using the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) process and the disciplines of the WTO.
Accessed on 20 February 2006 from:
< http://wdsbeta.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/ >

Looking Beyond Tariffs: The Role of Non-Tariff Barriers in World Trade.13 December 2005. For Sale. Price: US$ 88. 305 pages. OECD.
The studies in this volume review concerns that exporters and Governments have raised about market access. This publication analyses where and why certain non-tariff measures are being applied to traded goods that are covered by multilateral rules and disciplines, and how they continue to represent challenges for exporters and policy makers. The specific measures examined are prohibitions and quotas, non-automatic import licensing schemes, customs fees and charges and export restrictions. By drawing together available recent data and other information, this volume expands the knowledge base of policy makers, negotiators and anyone interested in learning about the use of these measures across countries, applicable international trade rules and remaining market access issues.
Accessed on 22 March 2006 from:
< http://www.oecd.org/document/51/0,2340,en_2649_34145_35795315_1_1_1_1,00.html >

People, Trade, and Development: Learning From Asia-Pacific. December 2005. Available online (PDF-Format, 124 Pages, 4.1 Mb). Policy Paper. UNDP Regional Centre in Colombo.
The paper argues that Asian countries have demonstrated that trade and foreign investment can be mobilized to achieve human development, achieved through a strategic approach to international integration. Such an active, strategic approach consciously undertakes policies to drive a country’s production activities toward higher levels of productivity, value-addition and higher wages. The successful Asian cases also show that human development has been critical in sustaining the growth process. These countries were able to secure a virtuous cycle between international economic integration and human development. They have shown the possibility that instead of international economic integration being a force for social disintegration, external trade and investment can lead to higher levels of social well-being and achievement.
Accessed on 23 March 2006 from:
< http://www.undprcc.lk/web_trade/publications/Policy%20Paper%20Book%201.pdf >

The Implications of Trade Barriers for Sectoral Diversification and Macroeconomic Stability in Developing Economies. February 2006. Available online (PDF-Format, 26 pages, 145 Kb). International Monetary Fund.
The paper examines the implications of lower trade barriers for sectoral diversification and macroeconomic stability in developing economies with a large primary goods sector. It shows that lower trade barriers can have ambiguous effects on macroeconomics stability. It shows also that diversification, in the form of equal distribution of resources between nonprimary sectors, may be counterproductive. It argues that investment in the nonprimary sector with lower trade barriers unambifuously enhances macroeconomic stability in a developing economy that is subject to substantial primary shocks.
Accessed on 27 March 2006 from: < http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/wp/2006/wp0650.pdf>

The Marine Seafood Export Supply Chain in India: Current State and Influence of Import Requirements - Full Report. December 2005. Available online (PDF-Format, 33 pages, 183 Kb). Trade Knowledge Network and International Institute for Sustainable Development.
The paper studies the current state of the seafood supply chain in India. The first section discusses seafood sustainability and continues with a brief description of the Indian seafood industry. The second section studies the stakeholders in the supply chain, their roles, income and social conditions. The third section examines the bottom of the supply chain, i.e., the state of the landing centres and the fishermen. Section four investigates whether the adoption of the Marine stewardship Council label would be viable in the Indian environment. The fifth section explains EU and United States seafood product and process regulations and their effect on the Indian supply chain. In the final section, the paper recommends improvements to the fisheries supply chain to make it more sustainable. Recommendations include ensuring hygienic ice and water facilities for fish preservation and cleaning; basis hygiene training to fishermen; promotion of fishermen cooperatives and an integrated approach to food safety.
Accessed on 27 March 2006 from:
< http://www.tradeknowledgenetwork.net/pdf/tkn_marine_export_india.pdf >

The Power of Globalization. November 2005. Available online (PDF-Format, 26 pages, 339 Kb). National Bureau of Asian Research.
This paper analyzes the arguments raised by globalization critics and compares them to the success stories of globalization and free trade. The author finds that there exists one valid point for criticism, namely agricultural subsidies. However, he concludes that criticisms of globalization notwithstanding, free markets and trade have benefited mankind by promoting faster economic growth, which in turn has helped alleviate poverty, encourage democracy and create more and better-paying jobs.
Accessed on 24 March 2006 from:
< http://www.nbr.org/publications/analysis/pdf/vol16no2.pdf >

Trade and Business Cycle Correlations in Asia-Pacific. December 2005. Available online (PDF-Format, 38 pages, 555 Kb). Discussion Paper No. 44. Institute of Developing Economies, Japan.
This paper states that recent empirical studies challenge the traditional theory of optimum currency areas by arguing that a monetary union enhances trade and business cycle co-movements among its member countries sufficiently as to obviate the need for national monetary policy. The paper examines the empirical relationship between trade and business cycle correlations among thirteen Asia-Pacific countries, paying particular attention to the structural characteristics of their economies and other issues not explored fully in the literature. It further states that although trade is relevant to the business cycles of individual countries, the main determinant of their international correlations is not the geographical structure of their trade but what they produce and export; more specifically, the extent to which their output and exports are concentrated on electronic products.
Accessed on 27 March 2006 from:
< http://www.ide.go.jp/English/Publish/Dp/pdf/044_kumakura.pdf >

Trade and Environment Review 2006. December 2005. Available online (PDF-Format, 296 pages, 1.35 Mb). UNCTAD.
The Trade and Environment Review 2006 focuses on environmental and related health requirements and their impact on developing countries market access. It examines both the opportunities and challenges presented by these requirements, which are increasingly stringent, complex and multi-dimensional. The review includes both general and sectoral analyses of the issue, and looks at two sectors where environmental requirements are critical to market access, namely electrical and electronic equipment and organic agricultural products. The evidence presented supports recommendations for developing countries to adopt a more strategic and proactive approach to coping with environmental and related health requirements in export markets. A proactive approach is also needed in order to take full advantage of the trade and development opportunities generated by increased environmental and health requirements, such as expanding markets for organic products and catalytic effects on resource efficiency and occupational safety.
Accessed on 28 March 2006 from: < http://www.unctad.org/en/docs/ditcted200512_en.pdf >

http://www.statpak.gov.pk/depts/index.html
Federal Bureau of Statistics of Pakistan (FBS)
Email: statpak@isb.paknet.com.pk
The Federal Bureau of Statistics, under the Department of Statistics, assists and encourages informed decision-making, research and discussion within Governments and the community, by providing a national statistical service. FBS compiles statistics from many sources and produces global updates. It also issues trade-related statistics, such as price statistics, national accounts and external trade data.
Accessed on 24 March 2006

http://www.industryhk.org/
Federation of Hong Kong Industries (FHKI)
E-mail: fhki@fhki.org.hk
The Federation of Hong Kong Industries was founded to promote trade, investment, technological advancement, manpower development, and business opportunities in Hong Kong, China. Its objectives are to represent and serve the interests of manufacturing industries in Hong Kong, China and to provide a united voice for manufacturing industries both in Hong Kong, China and elsewhere; to foster the improvement and development of manufacturing industries in Hong Kong, China and to encourage efficiency, innovation, quality consciousness and technological advance among them; and to advise the Government on any matter that affects its manufacturing industries. FHKI offers various services including training, business matching, newsletter and more.
Accessed on 24 March 2006

http://www.iascci.org/
India-ASEAN-Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IASCCI)
Email: iaslcci@vsnl.net
The main objectives of the India-ASEAN-Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce and Industry are to promote and foster trade and commerce between India, Sri Lanka and member countries of ASEAN namely Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam. It also aims to promote and foster technical and industrial collaboration in the mutual interests of the three parties. The chamber’s activities include exchange of trade enquiries and information; provision of information on Government tenders; circulation of periodic reports on economic/commercial conditions in Sri Lanka and ASEAN countries; sending of trade delegations to these countries; organization of meetings for various trade delegations from these countries and issuance letters of introduction to the members proceeding to these countries on business trips; etc.
Accessed on 24 February 2006

http://www.investnewzealand.govt.nz/
Investment New Zealand
Email: AKLoffice@investmentnz.govt.nz
Investment New Zealand is New Zealand’s investment promotion authority. It assists international corporate investors to relocate their businesses to New Zealand; establish greenfield operation and invest in and work with New Zealand companies in global ventures. The agency also matches high-growth New Zealand businesses in strategic sectors to international investors. Services provided for overseas investors are access to a global network of investment specialists; expert analysis and market information and onshore facilitation of investment projects. Services for New Zealand Businesses are communication of New Zealand’s advantages and opportunities for global investors; expert analysis of international markets and trends; and facilitation of partnerships with overseas investors.
Accessed on 27 March 2006

http://www.jftc.or.jp/english/home_e.htm
Japan Foreign Trade Council, Inc.(JFTC)
E-mail: mail@jftc.or.jp
Japan Foreign Trade Council, Inc. is a core private-sector organization in the area of international trade with nationwide membership of private companies and organizations. JFTC is involved in a wide range of activities with the objective of contributing to the prosperity of Japan’s economy. JFTC work to improve and develop the international trade environment by submitting specific policy proposals and requests to government authorities concerning problems facing the international trade industry. It also promotes international economic exchange and mutual understanding through interaction with foreign embassies, consulates and government offices in Japan and hosting of State and official guests from abroad. It also undertakes a broad range of public relations activities to promote a better understanding of Japan in foreign countries. Furthermore, JTC provides information services pertaining to important economic and trade problems by organizing lectures and seminars for members.
Accessed on 24 March 2006

http://www.kcab.or.kr/
Korean Commercial Arbitration Board (KCAB)
The Korean Commercial Arbitration Board is the only official arbitration institution in the Republic of Korea and administers and conducts international arbitration, conciliation and mediation. KCAB also offers access to publications, including statistic; news and an arbitration journal. Furthermore, the website features relevant legal texts from the Republic of Korea.
Accessed on 24 March 2006

http://www.legacarta.net/index.php
LegaCarta
E-mail: legacarta@intracen.org
LegaCarta is a multilingual Web-based system on multilateral trade treaties and instruments designed to assist trade promotion organisations and policy makers in optimizing their country's legal framework on international trade. It is managed by the International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO (ITC). It offers two licences of the subscription namely a multilateral trade instruments licence and a country analysis licence. It also offers a technical assistance programme to improve a given country's legal framework related to international trade. The programme is implemented in cooperation with national policymakers, trade promotion organizations and the legal and business community. It includes training on the LegaCarta database, training on multilateral trade treaties and an assessment of the country's strengths and weaknesses.
Accessed on 14 March 2006

http://www.macauhub.com.mo
Macauhub
Email: macauhub@macauhub.com.mo
Macauhub is a free news service based in Macao, China, which supplies economic information about the Great Delta region of the Pearl River in the South of China and the Portuguese-speaking countries in order to support Governments, institutions and businesses to understand the potential for business and investments. Macauhub produces information in Chinese, English and Portuguese about the Chinese regions which include the provinces of Fujian; Guangdong; Guangxi; Guizhou; Hainan; Hunan; Jiangxi; Sichuan and Yunnan as well as Angola; Brazil; Cape Verde; Guinea-Bissau, Hong Kong, China; Macau, China; Mozambique; Portugal; Principe and Sao Tome and Timor-Leste. Macauhub also supplies general information on the areas and countries including statistics, publications, events and information on “who’s who.” It aims to be a benchmark website for economic relationships between the Great Pearl River Delta and the countries with Portuguese as an official language.
Accessed on 14 March 2006

http://www.mier.org.my
Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER)
Email: kblee@mier.po.my
The Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER) is an independent, private, non-profit organization devoted to economic, financial, and business research. It serves as a thinktank for the Government and the private sector. MIER pursues the following objectives: serve as a focal point for economic, financial and business research for the nation as well as the region; undertake economic research projects commissioned by clients in the public and private sectors, both domestic and foreign; collaborate with other research institutes at home and abroad; publish and disseminate the results of its research work, and organize symposia and conferences to promote exchange of ideas and views; and provide occasional training for officials from government agencies and private-sector organizations.
Accessed on 23 March 2006.

http://www.saarcchamber.com/?action=nlist.php
SARRC Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Email: info@saarcchamber.com
The SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) is the apex trade organization of the SAARC member countries, namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. SCCI objectives are awareness to build awareness, develop global linkages, provide services to private sector and work closely with Governments and develop institutional frameworks for promoting economic cooperation in the region. The website of SCCI provides information about the organization, member countries profiles, member country focal points, business directories, latest activities, news of events in the region, etc.
Accessed on 16 March 2006

http://www.cashewindia.org
The Cashew Export Promotion Council of India (CEPC)
E-mail: cashew@vsnl.com
The Cashew Export Promotion Council of India promotes exports of cashew kernels and cashew nut shell liquid from India. The Council provides the necessary liaison for bringing together foreign importers with members and helps in settling complaints amicably in the matter of exports/imports either on account of quality and/or variation in fulfillment of contractual obligations. Furthermore, CEPC undertakes publicity activities abroad and conducts trade promotion activities. It offers several publications including a Cashew Bulletin, a directory of Indian Cashew Exporters and Statistics.
Accessed on 23 March 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.