Trade Facilitation And Paperless Trade

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.

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.

This publication provides an overview of assessments from the 2017 global survey on trade facilitation and paperless trade in the Asia and Pacific region. The survey uses the final list of provisions included in the World Trade Organization's Trade Facilitation Agreement (WTO TFA) and the draft text of the regional United Nations (UN) treaty on cross-border paperless trade facilitation under negotiation at Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). Implementation levels of 44 countries in Asia and the Pacific were calculated based on 31 trade facilitation and paperless trade measures. This study also describes trade facilitation projects that promote development through deepening regional cooperation and integration. It also discusses digital trade as a major opportunity for SMEs to better access international markets and global supply chains, giving them the chance to growth both quickly and sustainably. The progress and challenges in the regional and subregional trade facilitation efforts being made to streamline trade procedures are also presented. ADB and UNESCAP jointly prepared this publication.

The study on 'Digital Trade Facilitation in Asia and the Pacific' reviews the state of play in implementation of trade facilitation and paperless trade in the Asia and the Pacific region. It also provides estimates of the trade cost reduction potential of trade facilitation implementation scenarios, from basic compliance with the WTO TFA to full digital trade facilitation. The stduy also includes a review of paperless trade provisions in regional trade agreements as well as an introduction to the Framework Agreement on the Facilitation of Cross-Border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific, as new tool to accelerate digital trade facilitation implementation in the region.

Current implementation of paperless trade systems in the Asia-Pacific region focuses on application to domestic parts of trade processes, while international trade inherently requires trade information to flow across borders along internal supply chains. With current practices of paperless trade implementation limited predominately to the national level, the flow of trade information does not continue along an international supply chain; thus, it is being disrupted at the borders and results in traders turning to conventional paper-based trade practices. Yet given the fact that those countries in the region that are benefiting from implementing paperless trade only at domestic level, it is not difficult to see that efficiency gains will be considerably greater when the flow of trade information is facilitated across borders. This will, in turn, undoubtedly lead to major improvements in regional connectivity. Comprising three chapters and three annexes, this publication comprehensively assesses the current status of paperless trade in the region and beyond, elaborates on the need for having regional arrangements to facilitate cross-border paperless trade, and provides specific direction and details for putting a practical regional arrangement in place.

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.

Current implementation of paperless trade systems in the Asia-Pacific region focuses on application to domestic parts of trade processes, while international trade inherently requires trade information to flow across borders along internal supply chains. With current practices of paperless trade implementation limited predominately to the national level, the flow of trade information does not continue along an international supply chain; thus, it is being disrupted at the borders and results in traders turning to conventional paper-based trade practices. Yet given the fact that those countries in the region that are benefiting from implementing paperless trade only at domestic level, it is not difficult to see that efficiency gains will be considerably greater when the flow of trade information is facilitated across borders. This will, in turn, undoubtedly lead to major improvements in regional connectivity. Comprising three chapters and three annexes, this publication comprehensively assesses the current status of paperless trade in the region and beyond, elaborates on the need for having regional arrangements to facilitate cross-border paperless trade, and provides specific direction and details for putting a practical regional arrangement in place