• TRADE AND INVESTMENT PUBLICATIONS
• SELECTED WORLDWIDE WEBSITES

Economic trends and China’s impact on world trade. December 2005. Available online (PDF-Format, 38 pages, 1 Mb). New Zealand Trade Consortium in association with the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (Inc).
This paper studies the increased integration of the world economic trends and how they impact on economic/business activity. Special attention goes to China as a world economic power and how it is affecting globalisation trends. It asks whether these trends are accelerating and/or changing under China’s influence and how important China’s influence is compared with other influences. The paper is organized in a way that briefly canvasses each of the questions asked, explaining the context surrounding each question and providing indications as to where the answers may lie. The authors have focused on providing the reader with information from various sources on the big issues of global interconnectedness and Chinese integration into the world trading system that will stimulate debate.
Accessed on 12 April from:
< http://www.nzier.org.nz/SITE_Default/SITE_Publications/x-files/15192.pdf >

Growth and Trade Horizons for Asia: Long-term Forecasts for Regional Integration. November 2005. Available online (PDF-Format, 32 pages, 330 Kb). ADB.
The paper argues that with the emergence of China and India, the economic landscape of Asia and its relation to the global economy have changed. The paper presents forecasts for Asian expansion over 2025, projecting shifting patterns of regional specialization and their consequences for growth and structural change in the Asian economies. The central role of trade is examined through analysis of a variety of hypothetical global and regional trade agreements. The results indicate that trade within the Asian region is far from reaching its potential, and policies that facilitate integration and more efficient regional trade can accelerate growth, especially for lower-income Asia. A deeper and more inclusive Asian free trade area can achieve for its members large benefits. As an emerging growth bridge between China and India, economies of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have the most to gain from Asian economic integration.
Accessed on 24 March from:
< http://www.adb.org/Documents/Periodicals/ADR/pdf/ADR-Vol22-2-Holst.pdf >

The Impact of Disasters on International Trade. March 2006. Available online (PDF-Format, 26 pages, 104KB). WTO Working Paper.
This paper examines the impact of major disasters on international trade flows using data of more than 170 countries for the years 1962-2004 yielding approximately 300,000 observations. The authors find that the driving forces determining the impact of such events are the democracy level and, to a lesser extent, the area of the affected country. Results show that the less democratic and the smaller a country the more are its trade flows reduced in case it is struck by a disaster. The research also suggest a difference of the effect of a disaster on an importing and an exporting country.
Accessed on 27 April < http://www.wto.org/english/res_e/reser_e/ersd200604_e.pdf >

The Investment Climate in Afghanistan: Exploiting Opportunities in an Uncertain Environment. December 2005. Available online (PDF-Format, 85 pages, 1.8 Mb). World Bank - South Asia Finance and Private Sector Development Unit, Multilateral/International Organization.
The report was prepared to assist the Government of Afghanistan in addressing its private sector development challenges. It is based on a survey of 338 firms and draws on numerous recent studies on Afghan private sector issues. The book reports about recent reforms and progress, the state of the private sector, current investment challenges, investment climate constraint, trade policy and trade facilitation, and what needs to be done to accelerating private investment.
Accessed on 23 February 2005 from: <http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTAFGHANISTAN/Resources/AF_ICA_Report.pdf>

Market Access Barriers to Select Nepalese Agricultural Exports. December 2005. Available online (PDF-Format, 28 pages, 185 Kb). Trade Knowledge Network, South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment, and International Institute for Sustainable Development.
The study looks into the key barriers faced by Nepalese agricultural exporters despite accession to the WTO, and suggests ways in which exports could be enhanced while attempting to minimize such barriers. The study recommends that the policy-makers as well as trade negotiators of Nepal need to differentiate between regional negotiations, in which they should focus on increased market access, and multilateral negotiations, where deep commitments would mean preference erosion for Nepal.
Accessed on 4 April from:
< http://www.tradeknowledgenetwork.net/pdf/tkn_market_access_nepal.pdf >

Poverty and Development, Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2006. Available online (PDF-Format, 252 pages. 2.1 Mb). UNESCAP.
This study provides the latest results on research on poverty and development and concludes that the principal policy issues and challenges facing the Asian and Pacific region over the next 12 months are concerned with the course of oil prices, the threat of global external payment imbalances unwinding precipitously, the impact of higher interest rates and the potential for the avian influenza to develop into a human pandemic. Longer-term issues relate to the ongoing challenge of poverty reduction, utilizing the benefits of home remittances to simultaneously improve social indicators and macroeconomic fundamentals, and re-energizing the trade liberalization agenda following the Sixth World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference, held in Hong Kong, China, in December 2005.
Accessed on 4 April from: <http://www.unescap.org/pdd/publications/survey2006/sv06-full.pdf>

Stitched up! How those imposing unfair competition in the textiles and clothing industries are the only winners in this race to the bottom. December 2005. Available online (PDF-Format, 29 pages, 216 Kb). International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU).
This report tracks the short-term impacts of the ending of the Multifibre agreement, with a focus on six countries: Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Kenya, Lesotho and the Philippines. Data from the report demonstrates that that China is the main beneficiary of the removal of quotas, a phenomenon which is explained by the extremely low prices offered by Chinese manufacturers – 10 to 50 per cent lower than their competitors in other low-wage countries. The report notes that workers in most of the countries subjected to unfair competition from China are facing major difficulties, including job losses and greater downward pressure on their rights or working conditions.
Accessed on 24 April from: < http://www.icftu.org/www/PDF/LMSrapporttextile05EN.pdf >

Trade and Business Cycle Correlations in Asia-Pacific. Discussion Paper No. 44. December 2005. Available online (PDF-Format, 38 pages, 554 Kb). Institute of Developing Economies.
The 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. This 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. According to the author’s result, 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 10 April from: < http://www.ide.go.jp/English/Publish/Dp/pdf/044_kumakura.pdf >

http://www.apdip.net/
Asia-Pacific Development Information Programme (APDIP)
E-mail: info@apdip.net
The Asia-Pacific Development Information Programme is an initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) that aims to promote the development and application of new Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for poverty alleviation and sustainable human development in the Asia-Pacific region. It does so through three core programme areas, namely policy development and dialogue; access; and content development and knowledge management. A useful tool is the freely accessible e-primer series that aims to provide policy makers and opinion leaders in developing countries of Asia and the Pacific with a clear understanding of the various terminologies, definitions, trends and issues surrounding the information economy, as well as, the specific implications of ICT for their societies.
Accessed on 27 April 2006

http://www.business.gov.au/Business+Entry+Point/
Business.gov.au
E-mail: support@business.gov.au.
Business.gov.au is an online Government resource for the Australian business community. It provides a wide range of services and information about start-up, taxation, licensing and legislation, as well as significant transactions such as Australian business Numbers (ABN) look up, taxation compliance and license applications. The website further offers newsletters, “how-to guides”, essential business information and more.
Accessed on 12 April 2006

http://www.cookislands-invest.com/ipa_default.asp
Cook Islands Development Investment Board (DIB)
The Cooks Islands Development Investment Board is a 'one-stop-shop' for investment facilitation and approvals for all foreign companies starting up in the Cook Islands. Its objectives are to promote, foster and assist the establishment of investment; to encourage and advise the private sector; to promote, coordinate and facilitate trade to, from and within the Cook Islands; to regulate, monitor and control the direction, extent and scope of foreign investment in the Cook Islands; to encourage and facilitate the participation of Cook Islanders in investment and in the ownership, management and control of investment business; and to provide and facilitate training in business related skills as well as provide advisory and other business services to encourage and assist Cook Islanders in business development. Among other information, the website offers business guides; relevant laws and regulations; and information on start up procedures.
Accessed on 27 April 2006

http://www.treasury.gov.lk/FPPFM/ped/
Department of Public Enterprises, Ministry of Finance, Sri Lanka (PED)
The Department of Public Enterprises under the Ministry of Finance of Sri Lanka works to improve the performance of public enterprises (PE) through close monitoring and implementing corporate governance practices. Its objectives are to improve governance; ensure efficiency and economy in the utilization of resources for effective achievement of goals and objectives; develop and issue guidelines on financial management, accounting policies and operational issues with a view to enforce financial discipline and monitor for compliance; and to enforce respective regulation. PED has issued guidelines as well as a code of best practices to improve governance. Furthermore, it conducts performance reviews of PE, which can be downloaded from the website.
Accessed on 23 March 2006

http://www.ecosecretariat.org/
Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO)
E-mail: registry@ecosecretariat.org
The Economic Cooperation Organization is an intergovernmental regional organization that works to promoting economic, technical and cultural cooperation among the Member States, namely Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Islamic Republic of Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. ECO programmes focus mainly on the fields of trade and investment; transport and communication; energy and minerals; and agriculture. The website offers links, publications, country information, economic outlooks and more.
Accessed on 27 April 2006

http://www.eldis.org/trade/index.htm
Eldis Trade Policy Resource Guide
Eldis is an information gateway maintained by the Institute of Development Studies in Sussex. The Trade Policy Resource Guide offers access to a vast range of knowledge and information related to trade policy. The website offers a trade policy newsfeed; guides and a “quick access” area that covers the most important trade-related topics, publications, relevant websites and explains the main issues.
Accessed on 10 April 2006

http://www.lnmc.gov.la/e_index.html
Lao National Mekong Committee
E-mail: lnmc@lnmcmekong.org
The Lao National Mekong Committee is a national organization for the river basin management, serving the water resources strategic plan of the Government of Lao People’s Democratic Republic by cooperation with the Mekong River Commission and other agencies to keep the Mekong river basin economically prosperous, socially just and environmentally sound in line with the Lao national strategic plan. The Mission of the committee is to promote, coordinate, manage and develop water and related resources in sustainable way by collaborating with local and international organizations involved.
Accessed on 10 April 2006

http://www.paclii.org/
Pacific Islands Legal Information Institute
The Pacific Islands Legal Information Institute is an initiative of the University of the South Pacific School of Law to promote access to Pacific law. It allows full text search in legal databases that cover American Samoa; Cook Islands; Northern Mariana Islands; Federated States of Micronesia; Fiji; Guam; Kiribati; Marshall Islands; Nauru; New Caledonia; Niue; Palau; Papua New Guinea; Pitcairn Island; Samoa; Solomon Islands; Tokelau; Tonga; Tuvalu and Vanuatu. Furthermore, it offers access to a number of Pacific Islands law journals and other related legal materials such as reports; links to courts, legal societies, bar associations and campuses, and much more.
Accessed on 27 April 2006

http://www.knowledgebank.irri.org/
Rice Knowledge Bank
E-Mail: IRRITraining@cgiar.org
Knowledge Bank is a comprehensive digital rice-production library containing an increasing range of information on training and rice production. The Knowledge Bank is providing Governments, zNGOs, and all others interested with access to rice knowledge and training information. The website offers training and research materials, guides on how to grow rice and country knowledge banks for Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Viet Nam.
Accessed on 27 April 2006.

http://www.smeru.or.id/
SMERU Research Institute, Indonesia
E-mail: smeru@smeru.or.id
SMERU is an independent institution for research and policy studies which provides information and analysis on various socio-economic and poverty issues which are considered most urgent and relevant for Indonesia. SMERU aims to provide information and analysis to contribute to widening public policy dialogue on the solutions to socio-economic, poverty and vulnerability to poverty issues directly relating to the welfare of the Indonesian peoples. It endeavors to strengthen the role of the community in the formulation and implementation of public policies. SMERU website offers access to publications, newsletters, news from the region, an NGO database and more.
Accessed on 3 April 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.