Impact of Trade Facilitation and Paperless Trade on Trade Costs


Book Description

Trade facilitation (the simplification and harmonization of import, export, and transit procedures) including paperless trade (the use and exchange of electronic data and documents to support the trade transaction process), has taken increasing importance as evidenced by the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement reached in December 2013, as well as the growing number of regional and subregional initiatives aimed at facilitating the electronic exchange of information along international supply chains. This book features the results of the 2015 UNRCs Joint Survey on Trade Facilitation and Paperless Trade implementation for the Asia-Pacific region and incorporates this information into an econometric analysis, estimating the impact of trade facilitation on trade costs. It recommends that a holistic but step-by-step approach towards trade facilitation implementation be considered, emphasizing the importance of paperless trade the need to enable the cross-border exchange and legal recognition of electronic data and documents for trade facilitation.




Trade Facilitation


Book Description

'In the last decade trade costs have been a subject of intense study in the international trade literature. Richard Pomfret and Patricia Sourdin provide a timely and accessible summary of what we know so far. Their comprehensive review of what we have learned is paired here with important new research in the area of trade facilitation. This is important reading for policymakers interested in international trade and trade-related economic development.' Russell Hillberry, University of Melbourne, Australia 'Few topics are as important in international economics as trade costs. Surprisingly, there are few studies that explicitly address that issue in detail. This makes the book of great value to both professional economists and policy makers worldwide helping them to understand the different concepts of trade costs, their determinants and how to reduce them using trade facilitation measures. The book is very well written and a must read for any person that has an interest in trade costs!' Matthias Busse, Ruhr-University of Bochum, Germany This up-to-date and informative book provides a comprehensive treatment of the costs of trading across borders and of trade facilitation policies. While traditional tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade have been reduced, international trade continues to involve higher costs in money and time than domestic trade. These include not only transport costs, that are determined by distance and commodity characteristics, but also at-the-border and behind-the-border costs which can be reduced by appropriate policies. Research on trade costs has flourished since the turn of the century, and this book by Patricia Sourdin and Richard Pomfret, takes stock of our increased knowledge of the nature and magnitude of trade costs, analysing why they are high and how they can be reduced to increase the gains from trade. Trade Facilitation will appeal to economists and policymakers at the national level and in multinational institutions, researchers and postgraduate students interested in international trade and trade policy, as well as students in international business.




Trade Facilitation and Paperless Trade


Book Description

This book features the results of the 2015 UNRC Joint Survey on Trade Facilitation and Paperless Trade Implementation for the Asia-Pacific Region and incorporates them into an econometric analysis estimating the impact of trade facilitation on trade costs. It shows that there is a strong, negative relationship between Asia-Pacific countries' international trade costs and their level of trade facilitation implementation. Reducing trade costs is essential for developing economies to participate in international production networks and effectively use trade as an engine of growth and sustainable development. One effective way to reduce trade costs is to tackle non-tariff barriers and address regulatory procedures and documentation requirements. Trade facilitation, including paperless trade, has taken increasing importance as evidenced by the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement reached in December 2013, as well as the growing number of regional and subregional initiatives aimed at facilitating the electronic exchange of trade related information and documents along international supply chains.




Trade Facilitation and Better Connectivity for an Inclusive Asia and Pacific


Book Description

Trade facilitation increases trade flows, lowers trade cost, and ultimately contributes to sustainable and inclusive growth. This publication, jointly prepared by the Asian Development Bank and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, reviews the state of play of trade facilitation and paperless trade in Asia and the Pacific. It investigates the evolution of trade costs in the region, examines trade facilitation and paperless trade implementation, and highlights the key initiatives and efforts in Central Asia, the Greater Mekong Subregion, South Asia, and the Pacific. It includes impact assessments of trade facilitation implementation and corridor performance on reducing trade costs and increasing trade.




Asia-Pacific Trade Facilitation Report 2021


Book Description

Supply chain disruptions caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic have underscored the need for digital and paperless trade procedures to facilitate trade. This report reviews the impact of trade facilitation initiatives on trade costs in Asia and the Pacific since the pandemic began. A special chapter examines the pandemic’s impact on the supply chains of critical goods such as vaccines, personal protective equipment, and food, and provides policy suggestions toward enhancing supply chain resilience along with 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.




Economics of Trade Facilitation


Book Description

This book for the first time introduces trade facilitation, a measure that improves the capabilities of business, trade, and administrative organizations. The concept is explained through examples, theory, organizations involved, their development impacts, and implementation problems.




Asia-Pacific Trade Facilitation Report 2024


Book Description

This report examines the progress of trade facilitation in Asia and the Pacific, highlights recent trends in paperless trade, and evaluates the impact of trade facilitation initiatives on trade costs and overall trade. Trade facilitation plays an increasingly important role in creating sustainable and resilient supply chains amid economic uncertainty caused by inward-looking trade policies, geopolitical conflicts, and the intensifying effects of climate change. The report includes a special chapter that discusses how trade facilitation, especially through digitalization, contributes to environmentally sustainable and disruption-resilient global value chains.




Trade Costs and Inclusive Growth


Book Description

Trade costs and inclusive growth looks at how implementation of the WTO's Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) can help to reduce trade costs and promote growth. The publication rings together contributions from ten participants in the WTO Chairs Programme, which supports trade-related activities by academic institutions in developing countries. The book looks into how the Aid for Trade initiative can assist with implementing the TFA, the importance of mainstreaming trade into national development strategies, and the potential impact of the TFA in various regions.







Asia-Pacific Trade Facilitation Report 2019


Book Description

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.