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Trade Facilitation: A Regional Perspective

Trade Facilitation: A Regional Perspective. Regional Policy Forum on Trade Facilitation in Times of Crisis 20-22 May 2009, Beijing, China. Trade has been a main engine of growth in Asia-Pacific. Comparison of trade growth and GDP growth 2000-2007. Sources: WTO, 2008.

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Trade Facilitation: A Regional Perspective

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  1. Trade Facilitation:A 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/TopicProfile.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 world’s 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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