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Trade Facilitation: A Regional Perspective

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Philippines. 209.6. Malaysia. 70.7. Sri Lanka. 73.5. Lao. 41.6. Pakistan ... varies greatly between and within Asian sub-regions, but also within countries ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Title: Trade Facilitation: A Regional Perspective


1
Trade FacilitationA Regional Perspective
  • Regional Policy Forum on Trade Facilitation in
    Times of Crisis
  • 20-22 May 2009, Beijing, China

2
Trade has been a main engine of growth in
Asia-Pacific
Comparison of trade growth and GDP growth
2000-2007
Sources WTO, 2008
3
High Trade Dependence of ESCAP member countries
Sources WTO, 2008
4
Asia-Pacific Region still the fastest growing
Sources ESCAP, 2009, data for 2008 are estimates
and for 2009 are forecasts
5
But export performance in many developing ESCAP
economies has faltered
Sources compiled by ESCAP based on CEIC database
6
How can trade facilitation help?
  • Trade facilitation Any measure, or set of
    measures, that aims to increase the
    cost-effectiveness of international trade
    transactions. http//www.gfptt.org/Entities/Topic
    Profile.aspx
  • Hidden trade costs can make up to 10 of value of
    goods traded
  • ? Tackling inefficiencies in trade transaction
    procedures and regulations can be key to
    sustaining trade competitiveness, particularly
    during downturn

7
How well are ESCAP members doing in trade
facilitation?
Landlocked countries (Afghanistan, Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Bhutan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic,
Lao PDR, Mongolia, Nepal, Tajikistan and
Uzbekistan) are excluded from subregional
averages.Source Calculated based on data from
Doing Business 2009, World Bank
8
Time for Export
Source Calculated based on data from Doing
Business 2009, World Bank
9
Business Cost of Corruption
Note Score based on question on whether illegal
payments influence impose costs or otherwise
negatively affect their companies (1 yes, they
have a significant negative impact, 7 no, they
have no impact) Source Global Competitiveness
Report 2007-2008
10
Port Infrastructure
Note Score based on the questionnaire on Port
facilities and inland waterways in a country are
(1 underdeveloped, 7 as developed as worlds
best). For landlocked countries, this measures
the ease of access to port facilities and inland
waterways Source Global Competitiveness Report
2007-2008
11
Timeliness (likelihood of on-schedule delivery)
Notes Developed ESCAP consists of Australia,
Japan and New Zealand. East and Northeast Asia
average does not include Hong Kong, China.
Southeast Asia average does not include
Singapore. Source Calculated based on data from
the World Bank Logistic Performance Index (2007)
12
How well are ESCAP members doing in trade
facilitation?
  • There are many dimensions/ways to facilitate
    trade and not all countries have chosen the same
    approach
  • Most countries have made progress and/or are
    engaged in trade facilitation reforms, but
    significant room for improvement remains
  • Although there are many regional trade
    facilitation initiatives, a lot of potential
    remain on facilitating intra-regional trade (at
    land borders)

13
How well are ESCAP members doing in trade
facilitation?
  • Trade facilitation performance varies greatly
    between and within Asian sub-regions, but also
    within countries
  • Domestic (behind-the-border) regulations and
    procedures often seem to be most problematic for
    traders

14
How well are ESCAP members doing in trade
facilitation?
15
Promoting trade facilitation ESCAP approach
  • Promote the use of global standards and
    innovative solutions ? collaboration with
    UN/CEFACT, WCO
  • Create a community of knowledge and best
    practices through a pool of experienced experts
    both in-house and from countries that have
    successfully implemented trade facilitation
    reforms ? UNNExT
  • Conduct analytical work and develop
    implementation tools and methodologies for
    practitioners to ease the implementation of
    global standards ? Collaboration with WTO, ADB,
    and ARTNeT

16
Conclusion and Recommendations
  • Asia-Pacific region is a highly trade dependent
    region
  • Trade facilitation performance varies widely
    across Asia-Pacific countries and subregions
  • Countries have made progress, but still room for
    improvement in many countries
  • Reducing trade transaction costs is important
  • to increase trade competitiveness
  • to enable participation by more firms in
    international trade

17
Conclusion and Recommendations
  • International Trade is a tool for development,
    not an end in itself
  • Governments should promote a more inclusive
    participation in trade
  • One way to do so is to cater more to the need of
    SMEs when facilitating trade
  • Trade facilitation needs and priorities differ
    across countries, and may also differ across
    industries and firms
  • Pragmatic and holistic approach required
  • Strong inter-agency and public-private sector
    cooperation required

18
Thank you
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