Asia-Pacific trade facilitation report 2019 : bridging trade finance gaps through technology

The report reviews trade facilitation progress in Asia and the Pacific and explores how technology can help bridge trade finance gaps. Trade facilitation initiatives can make an important contribution to economic growth and poverty reduction by lowering trade costs and increasing trade flows. This report reviews trade facilitation progress in the region, including recent trends in paperless trade and transit facilitation and the impact of trade facilitation initiatives on trade costs. It also features a special chapter on how trade finance gaps�especially prevalent for small and medium-sized enterprises�can be bridged by technology, and the supporting policies and actions required to make this happen

Trade and transport facilitation monitoring mechanism in Bangladesh : baseline study

The establishment of a Trade and Transport Facilitation Monitoring Mechanism (TTFMM) is important for a country to take stock, identify bottlenecks, and prioritize recommendations for the implementation of trade facilitation measures. A baseline study is the first step to establish TTFMM. This report reviews trade and transport procedures in Bangladesh, highlights the importance of monitoring trade and transport facilitation, and lays a foundation for future studies and establishment of long-term, sustainable TTFMM. In light of the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal Motor Vehicles Agreement, the report presents both the challenges and enormous opportunities for enhancing efficiency along Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal corridors.</p

Trade and transport facilitation monitoring mechanism in Nepal : baseline study

The establishment of a Trade and Transport Facilitation Monitoring Mechanism (TTFMM) is important because it allows a country to take stock, identify bottlenecks, and prioritize recommendations for the implementation of trade facilitation measures. A baseline study is the fi rst step to establish TTFMM. This report reviews trade and transport procedures in Nepal, highlights the importance of monitoring trade and transport facilitation, and lays a foundation for future studies and establishment of long-term, sustainable TTFMM. In light of the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicles Agreement, the report presents both the challenges and enormous opportunities for enhancing effi ciency along the BBIN corridors.</p

Update of the readiness assessment for cross-border paperless trade : BANGLADESH

This work is co-published by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The present report provides an updated assessment of the readiness of Bangladesh to engage in cross-border paperless trade, taking stock of developments following an original assessment. Findings from technical and legal readiness assessments for cross-border paperless trade are presented, followed by recommendations on technical and legal aspects of cross-border paperless trade and an initial action plan for Bangladesh to move forward. The complete set of Cross-Borde Paperless Trade Readiness Assessment reports can be accessed here.</p

Embracing the e-commerce revolution in Asia and the Pacific

The potential of e-commerce is undeniable. From e-banking for the unbanked to small and medium-sized enterprises joining supply chains, to individuals marketing new products and services and farmers accessing real-time weather and market data, e-commerce provides a modern, still evolving marketplace that can make economies far more inclusive. Developing e-commerce, however, also means dealing with multiple hurdles and challenges related to economic, legal and institutional, and social developments. The report presents a new comprehensive framework to better examine the development of B2C e-commerce in the region. It provides a systemic way of understanding different facets and factors that define and affect the industry’s evolution. Moreover, the report examines the impact on e-commerce of so-called Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies—such as blockchains, the internet of things, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and 5G wireless technology. The report offers policy recommendations that could reduce barriers to B2C e-commerce. It breaks them down into groups that directly impact e-commerce development: (i) governments and international agencies, (ii) trade associations, (iii) businesses within the e-commerce ecosystem, and (iv) consumers and the general public. The role of governments is important, for example for improving access to affordable and reliable internet connections, developing the delivery and logistics systems, enacting e-transaction laws, and enforcing online intellectual property rights, along with strengthening financial and e-payment infrastructure

Asia-Pacific trade facilitation Report 2024 : promoting sustainability and resilience in global value chains

The report, based on the results from the 2023 UN Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation underscores the unwavering commitment of countries in the region to cultivate a seamless and efficient trading environment, despite these challenges. The report highlights the increasingly important role of trade facilitation in ensuring more resilient and green supply chains, and emphasizes that digitalization in trade can be effective in enhancing global supply chain resilience and sustainability. This highlights the need for region-wide initiatives, including the Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-Border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific, and similar agreements. This is the fourth progress report on trade facilitation implementation in Asia and the Pacific jointly prepared by the Asian Development Bank and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.</p

Asia-Pacific trade facilitation report 2021 : supply chains of critical goods amid the covid-19 pandemic disruptions, recovery, and resilience

This report reviews the impact of trade facilitation initiatives in Asia and the Pacific since the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic began and discusses how to increase supply chain resilience. Supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic have underscored the need for digital and paperless trade procedures. A special chapter examines the pandemic&rsquo;s impact on the supply chains of critical goods such as vaccines, personal protective equipment, and food, and provides policy suggestions for enhancing supply chain resilience and trade facilitation. This is the third biennial progress report on trade facilitation implementation in Asia and the Pacific jointly prepared by the Asian Development Bank and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.</p

Regional cooperation for trade and transport connectivity in the age of pandemics in Asia and the Pacific

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, governments, border agencies, logistics companies and traders have been exploring how they can leverage existing trade and transport facilitation measures to keep goods moving across borders. The crisis has also accelerated the implementation of trade and transport facilitation in the region, in the areas of transparency and institutional coordination; simplification of customs procedures and expedited clearance; digital trade and transport facilitation; transport and transit facilitation; business facilitation measures; and trade finance. Many international and regional organizations are actively promoting international best practices. This presents an opportunity to turn temporary trade and transport facilitation measures implemented in response to COVID-19 into sustainable and streamlined practices for the long-term; strengthen regional connectivity; spur the development of paperless trade; and build back better. “Coordination, digitalization, harmonization and partnership” could remain as guiding principles of the trade and transport response during the pandemic and in its aftermath. The existing cooperation mechanisms for trade and transport connectivity in Asia and the Pacific should be mobilized to provide stronger momentum for facilitation, harmonization and digitalization of cross-border trade and transport procedures. This includes the Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-Border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific, and the intergovernmental agreements on the Asian Highway and the Trans-Asian Railway Networks. Complementing this, regional coordination in times of crises can also be institutionalized in future negotiations of relevant regional, subregional and bilateral trade and transport agreements