Among the projects transforming Nepal's energy sector in terms of energy sufficiency and regional cooperation is the SASEC Power System Expansion Project, which is the largest energy project implemented by ADB in Nepal. The project will construct transmission lines that could evacuate up to 2 gigawatts (GW) of electricity from the Kali Gandaki and Marsyangdi river basins. It will also develop infrastructure to facilitate exports of at least 1.2 GW of power to India and scale up on- and off-grid renewable energy supply in Nepal. Another project, the SASEC Power Transmission and Distribution System Strengthening Project, will strengthen transmission substations to support electricity exports and upgrade medium-voltage and low-voltage distribution networks to provide quality and reliable electricity supply to 850,000 new and existing customers in Madhesh Province.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2024

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Tags: Renewable Energy, Nepal, ADB, SASEC, India

Basic Statistics presents data on development indicators tracking progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. The publication includes new data for development indicators for 46 economies in Asia and the Pacific, including those for the seven South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation countries.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2024

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Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Sustainable Development Goals

This report looks at how economic factors affect the movement of goods, people, and services across borders. As regional economies work to improve economic cooperation, initiatives such as the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) strive to improve cross-border trade and connectivity through such projects as the SASEC Chittagong–Cox’s Bazar Railway Project in Bangladesh and the SASEC Highway Enhancement Project in Nepal, and the Visakhapatnam–Chennai Industrial Corridor Development Program in India.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2024

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Tags: SASEC, Transport, Economic Corridor Development, Bangladesh, India, ADB

GDP in South Asia is estimated to grow at 6.0% in fiscal year (FY) 2024 and 6.1% in FY2025, backed by strong growth in India and the rest of South Asia, outperforming other emerging market and developing economies. In Bangladesh, GDP growth is projected at 5.6% in FY2023-2024 and 5.7% in FY2024-2025; while Bhutan growth is projected at 4.9% FY2023-2024 and 5.7% in FY2024-2025. Robust growth is projected for India at 7.5% in FY2023-2024 and 6.6% in FY2024-2025. Growth will be on an upward trajectory for Maldives at 4.7% in FY2024 and 5.2% in FY2025; for Nepal at 3.3% in FY2023-2024 and 4.6% in FY2024-2025; and for Sri Lanka at 2.2% in FY2024 and FY2.5 in 2025.

Author: World Bank

Year: 2024

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Tags: South Asia, GDP

Gross domestic product (GDP) is forecast to slow to 4.5% across Asia and the Pacific. In Bangladesh, growth outlook is projected at 5.7% in fiscal year (FY) in 2024 and 6.6% in 2025. In India, GDP is forecast at 6.8% in FY2024 and 6.5% in FY2025. Myanmar is projected to grow by 1.5% in FY2024 and 2.0% in FY2025, while Nepal is projected to grow by 3.1% in FY2024 and 5.2% in FY2025.

Author: International Monetary Fund

Year: 2024

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Tags: South Asia, Trade, Energy, Transport

Robust growth is forecast for South Asia in fiscal year (FY) 2024, driven by strong gains in investments, consumption, and the electronics and services sectors. Gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated at 6.3% in FY2024 and 6.6% in FY2025 in South Asia. In Bangladesh, GDP growth is projected at 6.1% in FY2024 behind the growth of traditional low-end garments. Bhutan's projected GDP is at 4.4% given major developments in the country's hydropower sector. In India, GDP is forecast at 7.0% in FY2024, after a strong momentum in manufacturing and services in FY2023 and with exports expected to pick up in FY2025 with the rise in global growth. Growth in Maldives is estimated at 5.4% in FY2024 supported by tourism and construction. Nepal is estimated to grow at 3.6% backed by hydroelectric production and domestic demand. Amid recovery efforts in Sri Lanka, modest growth at 1.9% is forecast for the country in FY2024. In Southeast Asia, Myanmar’s GDP is projected to remain low at 1.2%.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2024

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Tags: South Asia, ADB, Hydropower, Tourism, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka

Financing Transport Connectivity in the BIMSTEC Region looks at how to finance an overhaul of transport infrastructure in the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) subregion. The report identifies institutional gaps in the BiMSTEC regional institutions compared with regional institutions in the European Commission, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) partnership.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2023

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Tags: ADB, South Asia, Transport, Regional Cooperation

This publication gives statistics on economic, financial, social, and environmental measures, as well as select indicators for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Statistics for Asian Development Bank's member countries include figures for energy, transport and communications, and international trade and logistics.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2023

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Tags: ADB, South Asia, Sustainable Development Goals

The economy of Maldives, being reliant on tourism, went into recession due to border closures and travel restrictions during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The pandemic called attention to the need for Maldives to diversify its economy to reduce short-term macroeconomic volatility. In addition, Maldives stands to benefit from setting up regional maritime connectivity for strengthening food trade with other South Asian countries.

Author: Abdulla Ali, Elisabetta Gentile, Macrina Mallari, Thiam Hee Ng

Year: 2023

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Tags: ADB, Tourism, COVID-19, Maldives

This publication discusses new directions for expanding regional cooperation and integration in Asia and the Pacific, as laid out in the Regional Cooperation and Integration Conference held in 2022 in Bangkok, Thailand. One panel discussion tackled how regional platforms such as the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) could support cross-border environmental protection of shared natural resources. In another panel, Mr. Nilaya Mitash, principal operations coordination specialist on regional cooperation for the Asian Development Bank, discussed cross-border logistics and the Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) initiative under the SASEC program.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2023

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Tags: ADB, Logistics, Regional Cooperation, Electronic Cargo Tracking System, SASEC

While the export of textile products contributes significantly to the Bangladesh economy, reliance on these exports also poses risks to the economy. For instance, the garment sector suffered tremendously when the coronavirus pandemic struck, during which factories shut down and many workers, mostly women, lost their jobs. This report looks at how Bangladesh can foster economic growth by diversifying its participation in trade and global value chains.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2023

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Tags: Bangladesh, ADB, Trade, COVID-19, Global Value Chains

Countries are shifting to using green energy sources to meet their energy needs and cut emissions. While South Asia may have ample renewable energy and hydropower resources, demand exceeds local supply, and the countries have had to rely heavily on imports. To help improve energy security in the region, South Asian countries have signed bilateral and multilateral agreements to trade energy, including India-Nepal hydropower projects and the India-Bhutan hydroelectric joint venture.

Author: CUTS International

Year: 2023

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Tags: Energy, Trade, South Asia, Hydropower, Bhutan, India, Nepal

This report monitors global and regional foreign direct investment trends and national and international investment policy developments. Across South Asia in 2022, FDI inflows rose by 4.4% to $58 billion while FDI outflows rose by 1.1% to $16 billion. South Asia posted the largest increase in greenfield projects, with announced greenfield projects in India more than doubling in 2022.

Author: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

Year: 2023

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Tags: UNCTAD, Trade, South Asia

Least developed countries, landlocked developing countries, and small island developing states in Asia and the Pacific have been working to promote seamless transport to facilitate trade. Bangladesh, for example, has completed construction of the new Akhaura (Bangladesh) to Agartala (India) railway link, and has begun operations of Oxygen Express train carrying liquid medical oxygen as well as regular freight services between Haldibari in India and Chilahati in Bangladesh. Across South Asia, countries have also been rolling out an Electronic Cargo Tracking System under the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific to make cargo movement more seamless.

Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Year: 2023

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Tags: Trade, South Asia, UNESCAP, Regional Cooperation, Sustainable Development Goals, Railway, Bangladesh, India

Connecting to Compete presents the findings from the latest data from the 2023 Logistics Performance Index (LPI) and its six component indicators: Customs, infrastructure, international shipments, logistics competence, tracking and tracing, and timeliness. The seventh edition, which now covers 139 countries, is released following unprecedented disruptions in supply chains amid the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Author: World Bank

Year: 2023

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Tags: WB, Trade, Logistics, South Asia

GDP in South Asia is estimated to grow at 5.6% in fiscal year FY2023 and 5.9% in FY2024, backed by the recovery in services and lower commodity prices. GDP growth in Bangladesh will decelerate to 5.2% in FY2022-2023 due to global economic uncertainty, before recovering to 6.2% in FY2024. In Bhutan, GDP is projected to expand at 4.5% in FY2022-2023 as the further reopening of borders support growth in industry and services. GDP growth in India will moderate to 6.3% in FY2023-2024 following slower growth in consumption. Maldives is seeing a return to the tourism sector's pre-pandemic levels with GDP growth projections in FY2023 at 6.6%. Growth in Nepal will slow to 4.1% in FY2023 following import restrictions, before rising to 4.9% in FY2024. In Sri Lanka, amid fiscal and external imbalances, GDP growth is estimated at -4.3% in FY2023 and 1.2% FY2024. In Southeast Asia, the Myanmar Economic Monitor projects Myanmar's economic recovery accelerating to 3% in the year to September 2023 following growth in industry and services.

Author: World Bank

Year: 2023

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Tags: WB, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Services, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal

This publication gives brief stories that demonstrate the impact of infrastructure connectivity in the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) subregion. It presents reflections on hydropower trade, trade cooperation through the use of land and sea ports, the BBIN motor vehicles agreement, and Nepal's trade logistics policy.

Author: CUTS International

Year: 2023

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Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal

Basic Statistics presents data on development indicators tracking progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. The publication includes new data for development indicators for 46 economies in Asia and the Pacific, including those for the seven South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2023

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Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Sustainable Development Goals

In 2022, under the operational priority of Fostering Regional Cooperation and Integration, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) provided support for a $143-million program in Bangladesh to construct integrated customs stations and land ports at border-crossings to help increase trade volumes among South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) countries. In India, ADB committed $300 million to upgrade district roads in Assam, which will reduce travel time to SASEC corridors. ADB is also supporting a nonsovereign loan that would improve communication network capacity and mobile services in Maldives.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2023

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Tags: ADB, SASEC, Maldives, India, Bangladesh, Road

South Asia is projected to grow faster than other subregions in Asia, with real gross domestic product (GDP) estimated at 5.5% in fiscal year (FY) 2023 and 6.1 in FY2024. Growth within South Asia is expected to vary, with India projected to grow by 6.4% in FY2023 and 6.7% in FY2024 behind strong domestic demand. In Bangladesh, GDP growth is estimated at 5.3% in FY2023 owing to global economic disruptions and 6.5% in FY2024. In Bhutan, hydropower production will push up growth to 4.6% in FY2023 and 4.2% in FY2024. Growth in Maldives is estimated at 7.1% in FY2023 and 6.9% in FY2024, supported by a boom in tourism and construction. In Nepal, growth will slow to 4.1% this year before picking up in FY2024 at 5.0% with a recovery in tourism and infrastructure. Sri Lanka is projected to contract at -3.0% in FY2023 before recovering to 1.3% in FY2024 premised on debt relief and key reforms. In Southeast Asia, Myanmar's GDP will rise moderately to 2.8% in FY2023 and 3.2% in FY2024.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2023

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Tags: South Asia, Hydropower, ADB, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka

This report shows how smart trade and investment policies, and regulatory cooperation in the Asia and Pacific region can help economies tackle climate change, recover from the pandemic, and support resilient and sustainable development. Analyzing topics including global value chains, investment, the movement of people, and regional cooperation initiatives, it outlines the economic and environmental challenges the region currently faces. It explores how trade and investment policies can support climate action and highlights why a joined-up approach is essential to help deepen the digital economy, strengthen supply chains and foster greener businesses, markets, and trade.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2023

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Tags: SASEC, Infrastructure, ADB, Connectivity, Climate Change, Global Value Chains, Trade

The northeast of India is shares international borders with Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Myanmar and acts as a bridge for India's participation in global forums through the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multisectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation and the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation program. This paper highlights challenges in global trade and suggests ways for improving trade with other countries in South Asia and Southeast Asia.

Author: Sanchita Basu Das and Soumya Chattopadhyay

Year: 2023

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Tags: India, Trade Facilitation, SASEC, BIMSTEC, Transport, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar

Ships carry over 80% of the volume of global trade. In South Asia, intraregional shipping connections increased as India improved its shipping connections to Pakistan, Sri Lanka, People's Republic of China, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates. The most connected port in South Asia is the Colombo port in Sri Lanka; the Colombo port ranked the 24th best port in the world in 2021.

Author: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

Year: 2022

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Tags: India, Sri Lanka, Transport, Trade, Global Value Chains

The Government of India launched the National Logistics Policy in 2022 to improve the ease of doing business in the country. The policy integrates infrastructure and network planning and aims to make logistics services and human resources more efficient. This paper explains the current status of logistics and connectivity in India as well as the northeastern region's potential to expand domestic and international trade. The paper also identifies opportunities and initiatives to improve logistics performance.

Author: Bijaya Roy and Mihir Shekhar Bhonsale

Year: 2022

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Tags: India, Logistics, Regional Connectivity

Thematic tourist circuits in the BIMSTEC region can help boost economic recovery from the pandemic and promote a return to pre-COVID-19 tourism growth. However, to fully realize the benefits of cross-border tourism and create thematic circuits, multiple issues need to be addressed throughout the region. This report focuses on COVID-19 recovery, infrastructure, marketing and products, human resources, policy, and investment areas, and recommends actions for each to help hasten the recovery and aid in creating thematic circuits.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2022

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Tags: BIMSTEC, Tourism, COVID-19

The BIMSTEC Trade Facilitation Strategic Framework 2030 suggests a structured pathway approach for enhancing the environment for trade facilitation among BIMSTEC member states. This framework outlines development of various soft infrastructure, hard infrastructure, and capacity-building strategies. It has also identified seven principles to guide implementation of the BIMSTEC Trade Facilitation Strategy, namely, (i) country ownership, (ii) results-orientation combined with pragmatism, (iii) flexibility and responsiveness to country needs, (iv) reform and modernization, (v) active participation and involvement of the private sector, (iv)partnerships with development partners, and (vii) mutual cooperation.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2022

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Tags: BIMSTEC, Trade Facilitation, Infrastructure

South Asia is projected to grow at 6.5% in fiscal year (FY) 2022 and 6.3% in FY2023. In Bangladesh, weak exports and high inflation are hampering recovery, while in Bhutan, agriculture and construction are projected to support economic growth. In India, growth is projected at 7.0% in FY2022 and 7.2% in FY2023, sustained by public reform and public and private investment. Maldives tourist arrivals and construction continue to pick up. In Nepal, the 2023 budget aims to improve agriculture, industry, and social protection. Economic contraction is expected in Sri Lanka with marked declines in industry and agriculture. In Southeast Asia, Myanmar maintains positive growth projections despite high rates of inflation.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2022

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Tags: ADB, Agriculture, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Investment, Social Protection

South Asia is projected to expand at 4.9% in 2022 amid inflation and high energy prices. Balance of payment constraints in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have led these countries to place restrictions on the consumption of electricity. In India, where the economy expanded by 8.2% in 2021, the easing of supply chain disruptions and the rise in domestic demand has led to a deceleration in growth.

Author: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

Year: 2022

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Tags: UNCTAD, Trade, South Asia

The Padma Bridge will improve connectivity and increase trade in the Bangladesh. The bridge increases connectivity in Bangladesh and is projected to improve the quality of life among nearby communities. The economies of nearby countries also stand to benefit, as the bridge improves connectivity among Bhutan, India, and Nepal, and improves mobility of people, goods, and essential services.

Author: CUTS International

Year: 2022

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Tags: Transport, Trade, BBIN, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal

The United Nations conducted a survey on digital and sustainable trade facilitation, covering 58 trade facilitation measures. According to the report, compliance to the World Trade Organization Trade Facilitation Agreement by south and southwest Asian countries may reduce trade costs by 3% to 6%. Implementation of digital trade facilitation measures and cross border paperless trade could reduce costs by 18%.

Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Year: 2022

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Tags: South Asia, WTO, Trade Facilitation Agreement

Key Indicators for Asia and the Pacific 2022 provides statistics on economic, financial, social, and environmental measures, as well as select indicators for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Statistics for Asian Development Bank's member countries include numbers for energy and electricity, transport and communications, and international trade.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2022

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Tags: ADB, South Asia, Sustainable Development Goals

Real gross domestic product (GDP) in South Asia is projected to slow to 5.8% in fiscal year (FY) 2022 and FY2023. In Bangladesh, real GDP growth is projected at 6.1% in FY2022-2023, as higher inflation and rolling power outages dampen post-coronavirus economic recovery in consumption and investment. The easing of mobility restrictions is supporting Bhutan's recovery amid one of the highest vaccination rates globally. With slower domestic demand, real GDP forecast in Bhutan is set at 4.1% in FY2022-2023. In India, where exports and overall economic activity have recovered more strongly than the rest of the world, growth is forecast at 6.5% in FY2022-2023. In Maldives, real GDP is expected to grow by 12.4% in FY2022 and 8.2% in FY2023 on the recovery of tourism. Growth forecast in Nepal is set at 5.1% in FY2022-2023 amid normalization of monetary policy. Real GDP in Sri Lanka is projected at -9.2% in FY2022 and -4.2% in FY2023 due to a severe balance of payment crisis and risks posed by the country's political situation.

Author: World Bank

Year: 2022

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Tags: WB, South Asia

In 2020–2021, foreign direct investment (FDI) in South Asia fell by 26%, to $52 billion, with large mergers and acquisitions from 2020 not repeated in 2021. Flows to Bangladesh rose by 13% to $2.9 billion, while inflows to India declined to $45 billion. However, India announced new international project finance deals, including 23 in renewable energy. Outward FDI from South Asia, mainly from India, rose by 43% to $16 billion.

Author: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

Year: 2022

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Tags: UNCTAD, Trade, South Asia, Bangladesh, India, Renewable Energy

Growth forecast in South Asia is projected at 6.5% in fiscal year (FY) 2022 and FY2023. In Bangladesh, gross domestic product (GDP) growth is projected at 7.2% in FY2022 and 6.6% in FY2023, reflecting lower consumption spending. Growth in Bhutan is forecast to grow at 4.5% in FY2022 and 4.0% in FY2023 as government investment continues as a key driver of growth. In India, weaker than expected global demand is expected to affect growth, projected at 7.0% for FY2022 and 7.2% for FY2023. GDP growth in Maldives is forecast at 8.2% in FY2022 and 10.4% in FY2023 with continued tourism arrivals. In Nepal, GDP is projected at 5.8% in FY2022 and 4.7% in FY2023, affected in part by needed policy tightening to address rapid rise in imports. Contractions are projected for Sri Lanka, -8.8% in FY2022 and -3.3% in FY2023, likely resulting from severe macroeconomic challenges, including the impact of the ongoing crisis. In Southeast Asia, Myanmar's GDP is forecast at 2.0% in FY2022 and 2.6% in FY2023 owing to an improvement in economic activity.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2022

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Tags: ADB, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal

The prospects for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have worsened due to the economic and social impacts of the pandemic. Mobilizing resources to recover from the pandemic which aligns with the need to achieve SDGs is now urgent. Countries should strengthen multilateralism as well as regional cooperation to mobilize the resources to attain a sustainable recovery.

Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Year: 2022

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Tags: UNESCAP, Sustainable Development Goals, Regional Cooperation, COVID-19

This report notes how costs and time to trade in Asia and the Pacific has declined since 2018, with South Asia registering the highest reduction in time to trade. The report also looks at how aid for trade should be modernized to address new economic and trade realities such as the rising need for regional cooperation.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2022

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Tags: ADB, Aid for Trade, South Asia, Regional Cooperation

Rapid economic growth in Asia and the Pacific in the last three decades have lifted many out of poverty, through improvements in agriculture and manufacturing. Nevertheless, many countries have experienced increases in inequality in their countries since the 1990s. This publication argues that Asia-Pacific countries should prioritize inclusive growth, by allowing those from all socioeconomic groups to improve livelihoods, incomes, and education. While fiscal and health challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic present challenges, achieving inclusive recovery is still very possible.

Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Year: 2022

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Tags: UNESCAP, COVID-19, Trade

South Asian countries are emerging from coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic burdened by high inflation and fiscal imbalances, as well as external shocks. In Bangladesh, gross domestic product (GDP) is projected to increase by 6.4% in fiscal year (FY) 2021-2022 and 6.7% in FY2022-2023. In Bhutan, FY2021-2022 growth is estimated at 4.4% and FY2022-2023 growth at 4.7%, with the expected return of international tourists and migrant workers from India. In India, FY2022-2023 growth is projected at 8%, slightly below last year’s rate. Economic recovery in Maldives will stay strong in 2022, with real GDP growth expected to grow by 8.5% in 2022 and 9.1% in 2023. In Nepal, tourism has yet to recover, with growth projected at 3.7% in FY2021-2022 and 4.1% in FY2022-2023. Hydropower in Nepal is providing a natural hedge against increases in crude oil-based energy prices. Growth in Sri Lanka is hampered by a series of shocks amid high debt, with 2022 growth projected at 2.4%.

Author: World Bank

Year: 2022

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Tags: WB, South Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka

Increased integration in the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) subregion is critical for shared economic growth. This report looks at opportunities for strengthening regional, subregional, and bilateral initiatives to increase connectivity. It reviews the impact of these initiatives on multimodal connectivity and its effect on the BBIN subregion.

Author: CUTS International

Year: 2022

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Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Trade, Transport

Electronic national single window systems help stakeholders meet trade and transit requirements. Single windows allow trade and transit sectors to send information to multiple agencies through one platform, thereby helping reduce processing time and the cost of doing business. This guidance note compiles information on planning and implementing national single window systems that help countries comply with international trade regulations.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2022

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Tags: ADB, National Single Window, Trade, Transport

The publication identifies opportunities for regional cooperation and integration to complement country efforts to widen include health and financial safety nets. Subregional partnerships such as the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation, Greater Mekong Subregion, and South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) took steps to coordinate coronavirus-response initiatives. SASEC customs officials, for example, agreed to keep country borders open to sensitive and critical goods.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2022

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Tags: ADB, SASEC, Regional Connectivity, ADB RCI 2022 , ADB RCI

Basic Statistics presents economic, environmental, and social indicators used to track progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. The publication includes new data for development indicators for 46 economies in Asia and Pacific, including those for the seven South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2022

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Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Trade, Sustainable Development Goals, Renewable Energy

Growth in South Asia is projected to remain strong at 7.0% in FY2022 and 7.4% in FY2023 as the region’s economies try to catch up to pre-pandemic levels. In Bangladesh gross domestic product (GDP) growth is projected at 6.9% in FY2022. Growth in FY2023, projected at 7.1%, will be driven by private consumption. Bhutan is forecast to grow at 4.5% in FY2022. Growth will accelerate to 7.5% in FY2023 with the reopening of international tourism in the country. India is forecast to grow at 7.5% in FY2022 and 8.0% in FY2023, buoyed by strong investment growth. GDP growth in Maldives is forecast at 11.0% in FY2022 and 12.0% in FY2023 with continued tourism arrivals. In Nepal, fiscal stimulus and wider vaccination coverage will support growth, projected at 3.9% in FY2022 and 5.0% in FY2023. Sri Lanka's growth is forecast to slow to 2.4% in FY2022 and pick up to 2.5% in FY2023 amid low foreign exchange reserves. In Southeast Asia, Myanmar’s economy is forecast to contract in FY 2022 on protracted political instability. Myanmar GDP is forecast at -0.3% in FY2022 and 2.6% in FY2023.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2022

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Tags: ADB, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Myanmar

Platforms for regional and subregional cooperation helped spur collective action to help Asia and the Pacific build back resiliency from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Regional cooperation platforms such as the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation program helped countries respond to the COVID-19 emergency. In South Asia, partners will have the opportunities to support regional market development through transport corridors, trade facilitation, and cross-border energy trade post-COVID-19.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2022

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Tags: ADB, Bangladesh, COVID-19, Economic Corridor Development, Energy, India, Trade Facilitation, SASEC, ADB RCI 2022 , ADB RCI

As of December 2021, 73 South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) projects worth $17.43 billion had been financed. The SASEC Program was able to sustain its momentum in 2020 and 2021 in spite of setbacks brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. In 2020–2021, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) committed $2.36 billion for 13 regional cooperation and integration projects in the subregion, including five transport projects, three energy projects, and five multisector/economic corridor projects. The SASEC Secretariat is reviewing the progress of the SASEC Vision initiatives to help make coordination mechanisms more effective and to improve resource mobilization.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2022

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Tags: Trade, SASEC, ADB, COVID-19, Regional Cooperation

This publication examines how tourism may be restarted in Asia and the Pacific to better contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals. The report is aimed at policymakers and will support organizations involved in overseas investment, development, and cooperation. It recommends fostering cooperation through data sharing and joint monitoring and suggests systemic change through decarbonization, improved governance, and sustainable finance.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2021

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Tags: ADB, COVID-19, Sustainable Development Goals, Regional Cooperation, South Asia, Tourism

The growing trade on land between Dhaka and Kolkata is pushing development in both India and Bangladesh. The governments of the two countries—in partnership with the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) program, the Asian Development Bank, and other development partners—are implementing projects to improve infrastructure and streamline trade. Improvements will reduce trade costs and help scale up trade bilaterally, across the SASEC region, and internationally.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2021

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Tags: ADB, Bangladesh, India, Bilateral Trade, SASEC, ADB RCI

South Asia’s economic growth is projected at 8.6% for fiscal year (FY) 2021, while the forecast for FY2022 stands at 7.0%. In Bangladesh, exports and imports grew due to rising global demand in clothes. In India, gross domestic product (GDP) growth remained strong, driven by growth in private consumption and investments. Maldives saw an increase of 193.3% in tourist arrivals from January to October in 2021 compared with 2020. In Nepal, GDP grew by 2.5% in FY2021 due to a rebound in services. In Sri Lanka, GDP grew by 12.3% in the second quarter of 2021, with growth prospects for 2022 downgraded due to macroeconomic challenges. Previously, in the Asian Development Outlook Update, the GDP of Bhutan and Myanmar were forecast to contract in FY2021.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2021

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Tags: South Asia, Export, ADB, Import

This edition of the Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Report highlights the linkages between trade, investment, and climate change and examines the role of regional trade agreements and trade and transport facilitation measures in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It offers policy recommendations for ensuring that regional trade and investment policies are sustainable and able to address the worsening climate crisis.

Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Year: 2021

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Tags: South Asia, UNCTAD, Sustainable Development Goals, Free Trade Agreements

This diagnostic study explores how Bhutan could boost its exports by addressing nontariff trade barriers. It looks at export products that have the potential to increase their market share in South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) partner countries. It examines possible legal reforms, the upgrade of quality standards, and capacity development for accrediting agencies and offers practical recommendations for Bhutan’s public and private sectors.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2021

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Tags: Bhutan, SASEC, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, Technical Barriers to Trade, Non-Tariff Measures, ADB RCI

This report discusses the framework of the Asia–Pacific Regional Cooperation and Integration Index (ARCII), which has been revised to include digital connectivity and environmental cooperation. ARCII estimates have remained stable among Association of Southeast Asian Nations members and in the Greater Mekong Subregion, while it improved for Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program countries. ARCII declined slightly for South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation countries, though improvements and links with nearby subregions are expected from joint initiatives with the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation countries.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2021

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Tags: Regional Cooperation, SASEC, BIMSTEC

South Asia continued to recover from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic with growth set to rise by 7.1% in 2021 and 2022. Growth in Bangladesh is estimated at 6.4% in fiscal year (FY) 2021-2022 with the recovery of exports and private consumption. Bhutan GDP is projected to grow by 3.6% supported by migrant labor and public infrastructure projects. India is projected to grow by 8.3% in FY2021-2022 on the back of incentives to increase domestic demand and manufacturing. With the return of tourism in Maldives, the country’s output is expected to grow at 23.3% in 2021. Nepal GDP is estimated to grow by 3.9% as vaccination picks up and tourism and migrant worker flow recover. With pressure from the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant in June 2021, real GDP in Sri Lanka is projected to grow by 3.3% in 2021.

Author: World Bank

Year: 2021

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Tags: South Asia, WB, COVID-19

This study conducted by CUTS International, India, in collaboration with Unnayan Shamannay assesses infrastructure and trade logistics at Chattogram Port, Bangladesh. Chattogram Port is considered the maritime gateway of Bangladesh, with nearly 90% of Bangladesh trade passing through through the port. The study noted points of conflict between policy and practice while stakeholders identified the support needed to ensure that regional multimodal connectivity delivers its projected benefits.

Author: CUTS International

Year: 2021

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Tags: Bangladesh, Trade Policy, Ports

Researchers undertook port-process mapping at Jawaharlal Nehru and Vishakhapatnam ports, two key export–import gateways in India, to help identify strategic reform and potential solutions to improve port systems in the country. This brief recommends streamlining and digitizing port logistics and operations in India to help reduce logistics cost and make operations more efficient.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2021

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Tags: ADB, India, Customs, ADB RCI

This study assesses infrastructure and trade logistics in Phuentsholing, Bhutan. It observed that several South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) projects have helped develop trade and transport in Phuentsholing through the construction of four-lane roads and bridges. The study proposes ways to promote multimodal connectivity among the BBIN countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal), such as the further improvement of ports and related facilities in Phuentsholing to handle an increase in trade and transport.

Author: CUTS International

Year: 2021

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Tags: Bhutan, SASEC, Trade, Transport, BBIN

Key Indicators for Asia and the Pacific 2021 provides updated statistics on economic, financial, social, and environmental measures as, well as select indicators for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Statistics are for 49 regional members of the Asian Development Bank, including numbers for energy and electricity, transport and communications, and international trade.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2021

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Tags: ADB, South Asia, Sustainable Development Goals

Economic growth in South Asia is projected at 8.8% in 2021 while the outlook for next year has been raised to 7.0% from 6.6%. In Bangladesh, growth in fiscal year (FY) 2022 is projected to strengthen though still below pre-coronavirus pandemic levels. In Bhutan, gross domestic product (GDP) in FY2021 is estimated to have contracted by 3.4%; growth is forecast to rebound to 3.7% in FY2022. The projection for India is downgraded to 10.0% from the earlier projection of 11.0% in FY2021, while the outlook for FY2022 improved to 7.5% from 7.0%. Tourist arrivals in Maldives increased by 33.4% year on year in 2021. In Nepal, GDP growth is estimated at 2.3% in FY2021. In Sri Lanka, GDP growth forecasts are revised down to 3.4% in 2021 with risks from fresh pandemic outbreak and currency related stress.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2021

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Tags: ADB, COVID-19, South Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Sri Lanka

Various national, bilateral, trilateral, and subregional initiatives in multimodal connectivity in the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) subregion support faster and safer trade and transport. These have multiple positive impacts, including those that improve delivery of services to deal with the coronavirus pandemic. This publication presents four stories that show the impact of infrastructure connectivity in BBIN countries. It provides an assessment of connectivity initiatives as well as suggestions to enhance the positive effects of these initiatives.

Author: CUTS International

Year: 2021

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Tags: ADB, BBIN, COVID-19, Trade, Transport

The brief focuses on developing logistics in India's northeastern region and Bangladesh. To facilitate seamless transshipment movement through Chattogram port, this brief presents a framework to promote sustainable development and suggests ways to address infrastructure and regulatory gaps.

Author: Soumya Chattopadhyay, Dhruv Gadh, Manish Sharma

Year: 2021

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Tags: ADB, Bangladesh, India, Trade Facilitation, ADB RCI

Trade and tourism along transboundary rivers bring socioeconomic opportunities in India and Bangladesh. This report for the webinar "Public Private Dialogue on India-Bangladesh Cross-border Tourism and Cruise Operations" suggests that easing security, customs, and immigration protocols while strengthening safety measures would help ensure that cruise operations are inclusive and sustainable.

Author: CUTS International

Year: 2021

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Tags: Bangladesh, India, Trade Facilitation, Tourism

Cross-border trade—through the printing, processing, exchange, and discarding of paper documents—tends to place burdens on the environment. For example, 68 documents (including copies) are required to process the export of garments from Bangladesh to India. This paper from the Asia-Pacific Research and Training Network on Trade contends that implementing paperless trade in Asia and the Pacific could reduce greenhouse gases, driven by the projected gains in efficiency in handling digital data.

Author: Yann Duval and Simon Hardy

Year: 2021

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Tags: Trade Facilitation, UNESCAP, South Asia

Global flows of foreign direct investment fell by one third to $1 trillion in 2020 due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. In South Asia, foreign direct investments rose by 20% to $71 billion in 2020, driven mainly by strong mergers and acquisitions in India. Inflows in Bangladesh contracted by 11% and in Sri Lanka by 43%, where inflows will take longer to recover. This report monitors global and regional investment trends to support national and international policymakers.

Author: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

Year: 2021

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Tags: COVID-19, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, FDI, South Asia, Sustainable Development Goals, UNCTAD

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has interrupted trade and tourism worldwide, leading to job losses and rising poverty. Countries need to address weaknesses in economic and social protection systems, through national initiatives that can be supported by regional cooperation. United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific member countries endorsed the Action Plan to Strengthen Regional Cooperation on Social Protection in Asia and the Pacific. This provides a platform through which governments in South Asia could work together to help mitigate the impacts of the pandemic.

Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Year: 2021

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Tags: COVID-19, Regional Cooperation, South Asia, Trade, Tourism

Basic Statistics 2021 presents development indicators—tracking the progress made by countries in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. It includes data for 46 economies in Asia and the Pacific, including those for the seven South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2021

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Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Trade, Sustainable Development Goals, Renewable Energy

For recovery to be inclusive and robust in Asia and the Pacific, this report recommends a more synchronized coronavirus disease vaccination program and notes the importance of regional cooperation among countries. The report also suggests that beyond policies aimed at economic expansion, policies should look to improve the overall well-being of people and ensure the strengthening of buffers against economic and non-economic shocks.

Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Year: 2021

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Tags: COVID-19, Regional Cooperation, Sustainable Development Goals

Growth forecast for South Asia has been downgraded to 8.9% for 2021, dampened by new surges of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infections. Growth in exports and remittances backed economic activity in Bangladesh. In Bhutan, economic activity has slowed after local containment measures were enacted to control the spread of COVID-19. India's growth projection has been downgraded to 10.0% from 11.0% in 2021. Weak travel demand in Maldives and persistent infections in Nepal are hampering recovery in those countries. In Sri Lanka, restrictions brought about by a third wave of infections are slowing down tourism and other economic activity. With businesses and consumers in South Asia better able to adapt to containment measures, the adverse economic impact of COVID-19 surges is expected to be limited.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2021

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Tags: COVID-19, Tourism, South Asia

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) 2020 Annual Report details operational and financial results. In 2020, ADB continued its support for the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) road corridor in Dhaka-Northwest in Bangladesh, committing $406.1 million in loans to strengthen trade. Under the SASEC program, ADB committed $200 million to support cross-border power trade by upgrading substations in Nepal in Khimti, Barhabise, and Lapsiphedi. ADB also committed a $150 million concessional loan to improve the safety and capacity of Tribhuvan International Airport and Gautam Buddha Airport to help revive Nepal's tourism industry and address the long-term economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2021

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Tags: COVID-19, Energy, Regional Cooperation, SASEC, Trade, Transport

Bay of Bengal countries have been deeply affected by the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. To cope, the countries should be able to secure vaccines at an affordable rate and ensure these are administered safely and securely. The countries could restore economic growth by strengthening regional cooperation in the public health sector and enhancing trade facilitation to augment resilience of the supply chain. Mitigation measures should also focus on reducing the cost of addressing the pandemic in the region.

Author: Prabir De

Year: 2021

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Tags: Trade Facilitation, BIMSTEC, Trade Facilitation

Assam's location in northeast India offers opportunities for enhancing cross-border trade and developing regional economic corridors spanning Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and countries in Southeast Asia. By developing trade and economic corridors, Assam aims to build on its vision of becoming a $75 billion economy by 2025.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2021

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Tags: ASEAN, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Regional Cooperation, Trade, ADB RCI

The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) was established in 1996 with a permanent secretariat in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Nepal, which joined BIMSTEC in 2004, could achieve its goals of development and prosperity through the organization. Nepal could expand its trade, economy, business, investments, and cultural connections through connections with BIMSTEC member countries in South and Southeast Asia.

Author: Sunil K.C.

Year: 2021

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Tags: BIMSTEC, Nepal, Trade

The transboundary rivers Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna create a vibrant water grid connecting Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal. India has been developing fairways and river and multimodal terminals in the last few years. Further development of inland waterways in Bay of Bengal countries would create jobs and open opportunities for inclusive trade.

Author: Veena Vidyadharan

Year: 2021

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Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Inland Waterways, Nepal, Trade, Transport

Bay of Bengal countries face similar challenges in facing the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. By strengthening regional cooperation, countries could bring down costs brought about by the pandemic and help hurdle barriers to the flow of people, ideas, and trade in goods and services. This paper analyzes the possible economic losses caused by the pandemic in the Bay of Bengal region. It also looks at progress in regional cooperation and suggests ways for working together in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Author: Prabir De

Year: 2021

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Tags: COVID-19, BIMSTEC, Regional Cooperation

This publication looks at Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) corridors, drawing lessons for the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal (BBIN) subregion. It also looks at the potential for multimodal connectivity between CAREC and BBIN countries. BBIN countries formed the South Asian Growth Quadrangle in 1996 and, with help from the Asian Development Bank, formed the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) program in 2001 to promote regional cooperation in transport and trade. The SASEC partnership later grew to include Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar.

Author: CUTS International

Year: 2021

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Tags: BBIN, Connectivity, Economic Corridor Development, SASEC, Regional Connectivity, Trade Facilitation, Transport

Governments, border agencies, logistics companies, and traders have been studying how trade and transport facilitation measures may be used to maintain the flow of goods across borders. In South Asia, the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Trade Facilitation Working Group and the SASEC Customs Subgroup, through SASEC’s Trade Facilitation Strategic Framework, have helped develop separate lanes for handling and releasing medicines and other critical goods. A SASEC technical assistance project is also being implemented to modernize cross-border e-commerce for micro, small and medium enterprises.

Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Year: 2021

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Tags: Trade, Transport, SASEC, Trade Facilitation

This report reviews economic cooperation and integration in Asia and the Pacific. As of the end of 2019, ADB had committed a total of $13.77 billion to 60 projects under the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) partnership, including projects for improving transport connectivity, trade facilitation, and power transmission. In 2019, SASEC members revamped the SASEC Operational Plan 2016–2025 to prioritize narrowing gaps in the subregion’s transport and energy networks. The SASEC program focused on expanding multimodal connectivity to include maritime and inland water transport. Subregional health cooperation was strengthened in 2020 to improve access to health services in Asia and the Pacific.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2021

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Tags: ADB, Regional Cooperation, SASEC, Transport, Trade Facilitation, Energy

This guide under the Recover Better series from Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) highlights ways in which countries could attain long-term sustainable development. This report recommends South Asian countries to develop regional value chains through the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) regional energy cooperation framework. The framework would help reduce costs and increase energy system resilience. By deepening cooperation, South Asian countries involved in the electricity trade would also reap many technical, economic, and environmental benefits.

Author: Sustainable Energy for All

Year: 2020

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Tags: Renewable Energy, South Asia

Border Haats have been successful in increasing local livelihoods, improving cross-border microtrade, facilitating people-to-people contact, reducing informal trade, and enhancing border security. This paper argues that establishing border coprosperity zones, coupled with investments in infrastructure and technologies, could help promote connectivity and realize mutual growth and prosperity for Bangladesh and India.

Author: Sabyasachi Dutta

Year: 2020

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Tags: Bangladesh, India, Border Haats, Bilateral Trade, Customs

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is taking its toll on economies of least developed countries (LDCs). To help economies and aid their recovery from the pandemic, this report lays out proposed measures for improving productive capacities of LDCs. It looks at mechanisms for regional cooperation in the areas of green technologies, industry, and digital technologies. The report takes a look at regional integration schemes, such as the South Asian Free Trade Area, and discusses how these could be instrumental in the sustainable and inclusive recovery for LDCs.

Author: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

Year: 2020

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Tags: South Asia, UNCTAD, Least Developed Countries, Regional Cooperation, SAFTA

This guidance note outlines the effects of the coronavirus disease pandemic on the transport sector in developing Asia and the Pacific. In India, for example, rail freight traffic in April and May 2020 had decreased by 28% compared with demand in 2019. The publication shares possible measure for a post-pandemic recovery that provides greener and more resilient recovery. The publication also proposes regional cooperation bodies for coordinating cross-border freight and logistics and international air travel.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2020

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Tags: ADB, Regional Cooperation, India, Transport, Logistics, ADB RCI

This publication provides updated economic forecasts for Asia and the Pacific. In South Asia, the earlier forecast of 6.8% contraction in 2020 is upgraded to 6.1%. Growth in South Asia is expected to return in 2021 at 7.2%. This is in line with improved prospects for India, where contraction is projected at 8.0% in 2020 and growth is projected at 8.0% in 2021. In Bangladesh, growth in exports and remittances backed economic activity. In Bhutan, the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is expected to be greater than projected. Travel demand remains weak in Maldives and is hampering recovery. In Nepal, a persistent rise in COVID-19 infections holds back demand. Resurgent outbreaks in Sri Lanka’s export and tourist markets are expected to worsen contraction in 2020.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2020

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Tags: South Asia, India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Maldives, Tourism, COVID-19, Export

In 2015, Bangladesh and India signed an Agreement on Coastal Shipping to promote two-way trade through the countries’ respective ports. Coastal shipping began the following year with MV Harbour 1, which carried a shipment of cotton from Chittagong Port, Bangladesh, to Krishnapatnam Port, India. This short briefing note describes the basic features of the India-Bangladesh Coastal Shipping Agreement and examines complementary initiatives. It discusses the benefits of direct container shipping services, the agreement’s socioeconomic impact, and the issues and challenges associated with the agreement.

Author: CUTS International

Year: 2020

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Tags: India, Bangladesh, Trade

The book reviews how Asia and the Pacific can leverage regional cooperation to realize the region’s economic potential. Subregional initiatives such as the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Program could support regional public goods, including road, energy, communication, and railway networks. SASEC is also promoting the development of economic corridors, the strategy for which was introduced in the SASEC Operational Plan 2016–2025.

Author: Bambang Susantono and Cyn-Young Park

Year: 2020

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Tags: SASEC, Transport, Economic Corridor Development, Regional Cooperation, ADB RCI

This book explores challenges in addressing energy insecurity in Asia. Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, and other energy surplus countries could export electricity and get huge economic gains, while Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and other energy-deficient countries could grow faster by importing energy. Cross-border renewable energy projects could also reduce dependence on coal and oil and thus limit environmental damage.

Author: Naoyuki Yoshino, Farhad Taghizadeh-Hesary, Youngho Chang, and Thai-Ha Le (editors)

Year: 2020

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Tags: ADB, Regional Cooperation, Renewable Energy

This brief discusses the role that India can play in subregional integration by reimagining India’s economic relations with its Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) partners. Recent economic developments in the Asia-Pacific region provide context in the analysis presented in this report. By developing local value chains, India can pull the region closer amid competing economic needs.

Author: Suparna Karmakar

Year: 2020

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Tags: India, BIMSTEC, Regional Integration

This publication presents highlights from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) workshop on regional cooperation and integration on 16 and 17 April 2020. Discussions focused on approaches to measuring RCI and its implications for policy assessment. Mr. Ronald Antonio Butiong, Director, Regional Cooperation and Operations Coordination Division, South Asia Department, ADB, discussed regional integration indicators in South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) member countries and outlined priorities for enhancing economic growth, improving social inclusion, and tackling poverty.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2020

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Tags: Regional Cooperation, South Asia, SASEC, ADB, ADB RCI

The Key Indicators for Asia and the Pacific 2020 provides up-to-date indicators for the 49 regional members of the Asian Development Bank, including numbers on energy, trade, transport, and tourism. This year the report discusses the challenges to inclusive and sustainable development that are likely to be amplified by the effects of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2020

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Tags: ADB, India, South Asia, Sustainable Development Goals, Trade

The Fifty-Third Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) was held virtually in two stages in May and September 2020. Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of Finance, India, called for the establishing of a regular South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) meeting of finance ministers by 2021 to further strengthen regional cooperation. Mr. Ibrahim Ameer, Finance Minister, Maldives, noted how ADB has assisted Maldives through the SASEC National Single Window Project.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2020

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Tags: SASEC, ADB, India, Maldives, Regional Cooperation, National Single Window

Multimodal logistics parks (MMLPs) help bring down the cost of logistics and improve logistics performance by providing services in freight aggregation and distribution, multimodal freight transport, integrated storage and warehousing, technology support, and value-added services. This brief from the Asian Development Bank examines the potential of MMLPs to support supply chains in India and discusses the feasibility of MMLPs in Bengaluru and Guwahati.

Author: Sabyasachi Mitra, Hoe Yun Jeong, Kavita Iyengar, Bhuwan Bhaskar Agrawal, Shreyans Jain, and Atu Sanganeria

Year: 2020

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Tags: ADB, Bangladesh, India, Logistics, ADB RCI

World Trade Statistical Review 2020 presents the latest developments in world trade, with analysis of recent trends for trade in goods and services. The report examines the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on international trade, and provides data on trade in least developed countries as well as in countries under the South Asian Free Trade Area.

Author: World Trade Organization

Year: 2020

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Tags: SAFTA, South Asia, Trade Facilitation,

The supply of food and medicine in South Asia relies on freight transport, affecting the lives and livelihood of millions of people in the region. Therefore the recovery of international freight transport will play a large role post-Coronavirus-19 economic recovery in the region. This report looks at policies that could help freight transport in South Asia bounce back from the health crisis and ensure that the sector becomes more resilient and sustainable.

Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Year: 2020

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This report looks at the Asian Development Bank's (ADB) performance in achieving the goals set out in ADB's Strategy 2030. In 2019, ADB brought more focus to poverty reduction and inclusiveness. Many projects that were committed last year will also enable disability inclusion. For example, an administration and operations center to be built under the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Port Access Elevated Highway Project will include features that will provide better services for persons with disabilities using Sri Lanka's port in Colombo.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2020

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Basic Statistics presents select economic, environmental, and social indicators used to track progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. It includes new data for development indicators for 46 economies in the Asia and Pacific region, including those for the seven South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2020

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Tags: Sustainable Development Goals, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka

Customs administrations need to act decisively to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) World system helps cross-border agencies deal with the pandemic through procedures that limit virus transmission in work areas, while ensuring smooth cross-border movement of essential products. The system reduces the need for face-to-face interaction by allowing agencies and traders to exchange data, send and receive documentation, and expedite various trade transactions.

Author: Automated System for Customs Data and United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

Year: 2020

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Tags: Customs, Trade, UNCTAD

This brief discusses challenges and potentials in improving energy security in South Asia. It shows that increasing regional cooperation will help improve energy access and can help the region preserve natural assets, enhance agricultural production, and improve food security.

Author: Tapan Sarker, Shanawez Hossain, K. M. Nazmul Islam

Year: 2020

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Tags: Regional Cooperation, Energy, South Asia, ADB RCI

A dominantly road-centric and fossil fuel dependent freight transport sector has made Asia and the Pacific one of the highest CO2 emitting regions in the world, while making the regional transport system more vulnerable to climate disasters. Shifting to sustainable freight transport will be driven by technology and innovation, but it will also need public policy that promotes better transport connectivity within the region.

Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Year: 2020

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Tags: Transport, Sustainable Development Goals, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka

This brief looks at labor productivity in India and its impact on poverty reduction. It notes the need to bridge the infrastructure gap, improve the investment climate, and invest in education. Economic corridors would boost inclusive development, as these would act as markets for goods, help overcome infrastructure and regulatory bottlenecks, and aid dynamic reallocation. One such corridor is the Vizag–Chennai Industrial Corridor, which the Asian Development Bank is supporting with a $631 million loan.

Author: Kanupriya Gupta and Abhijit Sen Gupta

Year: 2020

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Tags: ADB, India, Economic Corridor Development

This study looks at the digitization of port call operations and the tensions and opportunities this digitization creates in the global maritime sector. One of the solutions being used to improve coordination of port call operations is Port Collaborative Decision Making (PortCDM), an international, independent system for near real-time digital data sharing. PortCDN technical guidelines, which can be adapted to regional and local needs, make processes more efficient by furnishing predictable port call timings and operations.

Author: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

Year: 2020

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Tags: Trade Facilitation, Transport

E-commerce is changing how transactions are made for goods and services. E-commerce facilitates international trade by reducing transaction costs. It also has the potential to be more inclusive of women, small businesses, and rural entrepreneurs. This report considers how e-commerce can be improved to deepen intraregional trade in South Asia. It looks at digital transacting models that reduce transaction costs and gives recommendations for regulatory reforms that could expand global participation by South Asian firms.

Author: Sanjay Kathuria, Arti Grover, Viviana Maria Eugenia Perego, Aaditya Mattoo, and Pritam Banerjee

Year: 2020

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Tags: South Asia, Regional Cooperation, Regional Integration, Trade Facilitation

This report looks at how multimodal connectivity can strengthen regional value chains in the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal (BBIN) subregion. It also provides a snapshot of various multimodal connectivity initiatives, such as the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Road Connectivity Investment Program, the inland waterways agreement between Bhutan and Bangladesh, and the railway link between Raxaul (India) and Sirsiya (Nepal).

Author: CUTS International

Year: 2020

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Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Rail, Road, Transport, SASEC

This publication presents a review of the Clean Energy Program of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). It looks at what needs to be done in light of goals of mitigating climate change and promoting sustainable development. It also looks at the goals in terms of ADB’s Strategy 2030. Fostering regional cooperation and integration is among the operational priorities ADB has identified in Strategy 2030. ADB operations in the energy sector has promoted energy connectivity—such as through power interconnections in South Asia—and sharing best practices and technologies in renewable energy development.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2020

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Tags: ADB, Energy, South Asia, Renewable Energy

This book presents factors that can explain Asia's development performance. It looks at the role of policy, market, and technology in promoting trade and investment, infrastructure, and regional cooperation and integration (RCI). In South Asia, RCI has focused on connectivity through transport, energy, and trade facilitation. The Asian Development Bank has supported RCI by initiating several subregional programs, such as the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC), and the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC).

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2020

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Tags: ADB, SASEC, Regional Cooperation, Trade, Energy

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) 2019 Annual Report details ADB’s operations, activities, and financial results over the year. ADB helps foster regional cooperation and integration through its support of the SASEC Program. In 2019, ADB committed $495 million to reduce travel times along regional corridors connecting Nepal with India and Bangladesh and improve connections to Sri Lanka’s international port under the SASEC Program.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2020

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Tags: ADB, SASEC, South Asia, Regional Cooperation

This working paper takes a look at the European Union (EU) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as examples of regional institutions that were able to successfully foster economic growth and competitiveness. More specifically, the paper discusses the economic achievements of regional integration within the ASEAN and compares it with the EU. It offers lessons from the ASEAN integration that could help accelerate South Asian regional integration. It also examines the political and economic barriers hindering economic integration in South Asia, and emphasizes potential benefits regional integration and economic cooperation could bring to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) region. These include reduced economic dependence on developed countries, increased trade, and stronger economic growth in the SAARC region.

Author: Falendra Kumar Sudan

Year: 2020

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Tags: Regional Cooperation, Economic Cooperation, EU, ASEAN, ADB RCI

This working paper examines the literature on energy security in Asia. It gives an overview of resource constraints and the growth nexus in Asia, the scope for enhancing energy security, and the potential of regional cooperation to boost energy security. Wide disparity exists in energy security across the regions and between and within countries in Asia. With energy security critical to national security and access to natural resources, it is an important aspect of Asia’s long-term growth and development. This working paper puts forth that increasing regional cooperation can help improve access to energy among the energy-deficit developing countries in Asia, and benefit the region.It concludes that regional cooperation and integration promotes an interdependence network that ensures maximum use of renewable and non-renewable energy resources. This working paper also covers energy infrastructure development, investment needs, and potential sources of funding.

Author: Tapan Sarker, Shanawez Hossain, K. M. Nazmul Islam

Year: 2020

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Tags: Energy Security, Energy, Renewable Energy, Trade

This diagnostic study explores how India could boost its exports by addressing nontariff trade barriers. It looks at sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures and technical barriers to trade (TBT) and identifies export products that have the potential to gain market share in its South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) partner countries. It considers possible legal reforms, the upgrade of laboratories and quality standards, and capacity development for accrediting agencies.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2020

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Tags: India, Trade, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, SASEC, Technical Barriers to Trade, Non-Tariff Measures, ADB RCI

Growth in developing Asia is forecast to slow to 2.2% in fiscal year (FY) 2020 due to the effects of the global health emergency. In South Asia, growth will decelerate to 4.1% in FY2020 and rebound to 6.0% in FY2021 following a projected revival in India. Bangladesh is projected to grow by 7.8% this fiscal year and 8.0% in FY2021. GDP growth in Bhutan, despite lower tourist arrivals, will accelerate on high government spending. Growth in Maldives and Sri Lanka will be constrained this year due to weaker tourism. In Nepal, the outlook is for moderating growth. In Southeast Asia, Myanmar growth is expected to slow in FY2020 and pick up in FY2021.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2020

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Tags: ADB, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Tourism, FDI

This report embodies the strategic objectives and updated operational priorities of the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Program operational plan for 2016–2025. It reflects the changes resulting from a rigorous vetting process and identifies priority projects based on preparedness and their roles in filling network gaps. This Update also defines SASEC transport and energy networks and presents adjusted estimates of funding needs to help meet SASEC’s goals of multimodal connectivity, energy market development, and increased intraregional and interregional trade.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2020

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Tags: ADB, SASEC, Economic Corridor Development, Energy, Regional Cooperation, Trade Facilitation, Transport, ADB RCI

This study on the border "haats" (market) between Bangladesh and India sought to understand and examine their impact on poverty alleviation. It considers different stakeholders, including vendors, vendees, transporters, laborers, officials, opinion leaders, villagers and residents on both sides of the border, from the four operational border haats between the two countries. It also compares the different trade performances of the four haats and discusses opportunities in each. Participation rate is also tackled, where the impact of transportation options or lack thereof on the regularity of attendance is discussed. The study has found that areas with border haats have formalized many informal trade. These have generated income and employment, benefiting local people positively and improving standards of living. They have also enhanced trade opportunities by offering vendors access to new markets, as well as a source of products they can resell in their own countries. Furthermore, border haats have promoted improved cross-border relations and security, and people-to-people connectivity. The study recommends further policy improvements to border haats, such as encouraging more women participation and upgrading common infrastructure that makes people-to-people connectivity more conducive.

Author: CUTS International

Year: 2019

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Tags: Border Haats, India, Bangladesh

Infrastructure development in India and connectivity agreements with Bangladesh help unlock the economic potential of India’s northeast region. This report analyzes value chains of fruits and vegetables, spices, bamboo and related products, and medical tourism, and identifies how Bangladesh can benefit from northeast India’s increasing connectivity and growth prospects.

Author: Kathuria, Sanjay and Mathu, Priya (editors)

Year: 2019

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Tags: Bangladesh, India, Trade Facilitation

Regional cooperation and integration (RCI) plays a critical role in accelerating economic growth, reducing poverty and economic disparity, and raising productivity and employment. This conference report looks at challenges for accelerating RCI in Asia and the Pacific, with a focus on economic corridors and emerging RCI initiatives. It underscores the importance of gateway ports to multimodal transport, such as the Port of Chittagong in Bangladesh under the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) program. The report also maintains that RCI technical secretariats, such as that for the SASEC partnership, are vital to fostering RCI across Asia and the Pacific.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2019

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Tags: ADB, Economic Corridor Development, Regional Cooperation, Trade, Transport, SASEC

This book discusses how private financing can help address Asia’s infrastructure investment needs. In South Asia, public spending and public-private partnerships (PPP) may be leveraged for large infrastructure needs. Challenges that arise from each source of infrastructure financing—such as the long-term nature of PPP contracts—need to be addressed.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2019

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Tags: ADB, South Asia

According to this report, total volume of global maritime trade reached an all-time high of 11 billion tons in 2018. However, growth was at 2.7%, below previous averages. In South Asia, the 10 most connected ports are in Sri Lanka, India, and Pakistan. Among which, the most connected port is Colombo in Sri Lanka, which serves as a transshipment hub for the region. The Mundra port in India saw the largest increase in the liner shipping connectivity index. Chittagong in Bangladesh is the world’s 14th most connected port, while Male in Maldives is 18th.

Author: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

Year: 2019

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Tags: South Asia, Sri Lanka, Ports, Trade

This edition of the Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Report looks at the impact of recent trends in trade on achieving sustainable development. The report includes a discussion of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures that affect Nepal exports to its South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) partners. According to a diagnostic study, policymakers should analyze SPS measures in regional trade agreements to help them formulate policy reforms for streamlining non-tariff measures.

Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Year: 2019

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Tags: Nepal, UNCTAD, Sustainable Development Goals, Free Trade Agreements, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, Technical Barriers to Trade, Non-Tariff Measures

This publication reviews the status of energy security in Asia. In South Asia, countries face challenges in achieving energy security and climate goals. India and Bangladesh, for instance, face rising energy import bills while Maldives depends on oil products. The book suggests that countries and regions can achieve energy security through energy cooperation and diversification. This would lead to economic growth and poverty reduction, as well as mitigate energy security risks from climate change.

Author: Asian Development Bank Institute and World Scientific

Year: 2019

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Tags: WB, India, Bangladesh, Maldives, Energy, Climate Change

From May 2018 to May 2019, 294 regulatory reforms were implemented worldwide to make it easier to do business. India was among the countries that showed the most notable improvement in doing business during the period. South Asia had the highest share of economies that implemented cross-border cooperation reform, which ensures easy customs clearance procedures, harmonization of compliance rules, and border control efficiency. For example, Nepal opened a new integrated check post with India, thereby decreasing the time to import and export.

Author: World Bank Group

Year: 2019

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Tags: WB, Ease of Doing Business, Customs, South Asia, Harmonisation

This paper measures the potential impacts of the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). It suggests that full implementation of the TFA could strengthen global trade by $344 billion. Implementation could also help develop global value chains and would promote a shift of production from final goods to intermediate goods in developing countries. Developing economies should implement the TFA as much as possible to benefit from increased trade and real output.

Author: Utsav Kumar and Ben Shepherd

Year: 2019

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Tags: ADB, Global Value Chains, Regional Cooperation, Trade Facilitation, ADB RCI

Developing Asia's gross domestic product is projected to grow by 5.2% both in 2019 and 2020 as a slowing of global economic activity tempers regional growth, according to the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2019 Supplement. In South Asia, growth forecasts have been lowered to 6.1% in 2020. Strong remittances in Bangladesh will raise domestic demand, while in Bhutan, hydropower production rose to 3.1% in Q1 of FY2020 (ending 30 June 2020). Growth in India is expected to recover to 6.5% in 2020 with government policy measures, such as a corporate tax cutt and policy rate reduction. In Maldives, tourism remains strong. Foreign direct investments surged in Nepal while a recovery in economic activity is projected in Sri Lanka.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2019

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Tags: ADB, South Asia, Hydropower, Tourism, Investment, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka

Amid weakening global demand and policy uncertainty regarding trade tensions, growth in developing East Asia and Pacific region slowed in the first half of 2019. There is a need to address vulnerabilities and preserve economic dynamism in developing economies in the region. In Myanmar, GDP growth will reach 6.8% in 2021/2022 with the projected pick-up in agriculture. Policy measures to encourage investment, such as those for the energy sector, are expected to strengthen Myanmar’s manufacturing and construction sectors.

Author: World Bank

Year: 2019

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Tags: Energy, Investment, Myanmar, WB

Integrated Check-Posts (ICPs) are designed to be one-stop solutions that house all regulatory agencies, including immigration, customs, and border security. India is in the process of establishing ICPs to efficiently manage crossings along its land borders. The country has identified 20 checkpoints for development as ICPs, including 10 that are on the India–Bangladesh border. This report studies the impact of the ICPs on activities along the India-Bangladesh border and suggests ways to improve efficiency of ICPs.

Author: Joyeeta Bhattacharjee

Year: 2019

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Tags: Bangladesh, Customs, Trade Facilitation, India

This report presents the latest economic, financial, social, and environmental statistics, and includes sustainable development goals indicators, for the 49 regional members of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Remittances have been a stable source of revenue for Asia and the Pacific, with India being the top recipient of remittances globally at $78.6 billion in 2018. In 2017, foreign direct investment (FDI) in the region rose to $541.9 billion, although FDI flows have been more volatile compared to remittance flows. This report uses domestic value-added via forward linkages (DVA_F) to discuss the evolution of global value chains in Asia. In 2018, almost a third of the DVA_F generated in Asia stayed within the region, representing 39.0% of the total domestic value-added sent to the region. It shows the importance of intraregional trade for Asia, as Asia's trade connection to North America is weakening.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2019

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Tags: ADB, India, South Asia, Sustainable Development Goals, Trade

Trade Insight is published by the South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment. This issue includes discussions on various aspects of e-commerce, such as cryptocurrencies, integration of small and medium enterprises, and competition and regulation. Its editorial argues that South Asia should take an active part in drafting global rules on e-commerce. The issue also includes features on the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation investment agreement, Connectivity 2.0 for the South Asia Economic Union, the use of inland waterways, and the electronic cargo tracking system.

Author: South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment

Year: 2019

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Tags: Electronic Cargo Tracking System, SAARC, Trade, Transport

This special publication by the Bangladesh High Commission, New Delhi, India, celebrates India-Bangladesh relations. A chapter on regional cooperation discusses how prosperity is promoted in the region through the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC). Progress in regional cooperation builds on the momentum generated in the last 18 years through SASEC. Economic performance has been impressive and South Asia is forecast to become the fastest growing subregion in Asia.

Author: Bangladesh High Commission, New Delhi, India

Year: 2019

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Tags: Bangladesh, India, SASEC, Regional Cooperation

This report reviews the progress of trade facilitation in Asia and the Pacific. It looks at recent trends in paperless trade and transit facilitation and the impact of trade facilitation initiatives on trade costs. The Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation shows significant progress toward streamlining trade procedures in the Asia and the Pacific. In South Asia, the average implementation rate of trade facilitation procedures in 2019 is at 55.4%. The report features a special chapter on how trade finance gaps—especially prevalent for small and medium-sized enterprises—can be bridged by technology.

Author: Asian Development Bank and United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Year: 2019

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Tags: Small and Medium Enterprise, South Asia, Trade Facilitation

Growth in South Asia is projected to rise to 7.0% in 2020. To create more and better jobs, the region needs to further strengthen reforms. Growth in Bangladesh is expected to remain strong at around 8.0% in fiscal year (FY) 2019, led by private consumption and investment. In Bhutan, economic activity will pick up to around 6.0% in FY2020, supported by private consumption. In India, gross domestic product (GDP) growth slowed to 6.8% in FY2018/2019. Economic activity in Nepal remains robust as FY2018/2019 growth reached 7.1%. In Maldives, growth has been supported by increasing tourist arrivals. Economic activity in Sri Lanka is projected to recover as the tourism sector stabilizes.

Author: International Monetary Fund

Year: 2019

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Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Investment, Jobs, Tourism

Borders without Barriers presents an analysis of the state of trade facilitation in member countries of the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) program. The book includes an analysis of the state of trade facilitation in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, as well as in Maldives and Myanmar. It identifies trade facilitation priorities in SASEC countries: implementation of trade facilitation agreements and other conventions; logistics and infrastructure development and regulatory reforms; coordinated border management; and institutions and capacity development.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2019

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Tags: ADB, SASEC, Trade Facilitation Agreement, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, ADB RCI

This book proposes adopting a more holistic approach to help accelerate infrastructure development in Asia and the Pacific. It discuses project financing for Nepal’s cross-border dry ports, streamlining Nepal’s trade and transit procedures through Automated Systems for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) and Advanced Cargo Information System (ACIS), and project financing by the Asian Development Bank of the Kakarbhitta dry port and a cross-country corridor project between Bangladesh and India. Financing and technical assistance from multilateral development banks and neighboring countries not only bridge funding gaps, these also help countries learn from funders’ experience constructing and operating infrastructure assets.

Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Year: 2019

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Tags: Infrastructure, Nepal, Sustainable Development Goals, UNESCAP

This Regional Economic Outlook includes a study that investigates how to further strengthen economic growth in South Asia, which contributes more than 15% to global growth. South Asia expects 150 million new labor market entrants by 2030. The region needs a job-rich growth strategy to harness the demographic dividend and increase potential growth. It also needs to strengthen agricultural productivity, advance sustainable expansion of manufacturing, and promote higher-skilled services.

Author: International Monetary Fund

Year: 2019

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Tags: Trade Policy, Regional Integration, Asia-Pacific, Bangladesh, Economics, India, Sri Lanka

This policy brief lays out challenges and presents recommendations for promoting tourism and cross-border trade through inland waterways in the Meghna Basin. Promoting trade would require infrastructure development and regulations. There will also be a need for dredging at shallow areas to allow for navigability and maintain market linkages between Bangladesh and India.

Author: CUTS International

Year: 2019

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Tags: Bangladesh, India, Trade, Transport

Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal Motor Vehicles Agreement aims to reap the trade and economic potentials of the countries of South Asia. This study identifies hurdles to the successful implementation of the agreement through evidence-based advocacy and dialogue. The study highlights issues related to infrastructure, political economy, gender, and livelihood.

Author: CUTS International

Year: 2019

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Tags: Trade, Transport, BBIN, BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement, Bangladesh, India, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal

This report reviews economic cooperation and integration in Asia and the Pacific. It reports that in 2018, the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) focused on reducing gaps in multimodal connectivity among its member countries. By the end of 2018, 52 ADB-financed projects worth $11.36 billion had been committed to SASEC projects, with an additional $106.44 million in 81 technical assistance grants. SASEC nodal officials and working groups met in Singapore in March 2018 to update the SASEC operational plan. The operational plan identified 77 projects ($45.6 billion) to be financed by SASEC members, ADB, and development partners. A holistic approach under the operational plan will build transport links with Southeast Asia and East Asia and expand regional trade markets.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2019

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Tags: ADB, Regional Cooperation, SASEC, Trade Facilitation, Transport, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka

Most South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) countries rely on maritime transport for international trade. Stronger maritime relations are crucial to achieve the economic growth potential for the subregion. This report looks at how countries can strengthen international trade by improving maritime cooperation among the SASEC countries, comprised of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. It gives an overview of the SASEC maritime sector and identifies collaboration initiatives that could address key challenges.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2019

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Tags: Transport, Trade Facilitation, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, ADB RCI

Growth in developing Asia remains strong despite the slowing down of international trade and a weakening of investments. In South Asia, growth momentum has slowed, with growth forecasts lowered to 6.2% for 2019 and retained at 6.7% for 2020. Growth in India has softened but is expected to bounce back to 7.2% in 2020. Bangladesh and Nepal performed better than projected. Bhutan’s growth slowed to 5.3% in fiscal year (FY) 2019 due to a decline in hydroelectric generation. Growth projection for FY2020 is retained at 6.0%. In Sri Lanka, growth forecast has been lowered for 2019 and 2020. Forecasts for Maldives is retained as tourist arrivals increased in the first half of 2019. In Southeast Asia, growth projections for Myanmar has been retained.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2019

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Tags: Hydropower, ADB, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka

This book applies methodologies for assessing competitiveness of countries’ services sector. It examines the types of barriers to services in the regulatory environment and identifies the policy implications. It aims to guide policymakers in the area of services in international trade. The chapter on diversifying Nepal’s economy assesses the country’s trade potential in services. Using the Services Trade Competitiveness Diagnostic toolkit, it identifies policy measures that can help Nepal identify strategies for greater integration in the global marketplace.

Author: Claire Hollweg and Sebastian Saez, eds.

Year: 2019

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Tags: Energy, Nepal, Services, Trade, WB

Through customs automation and reform projects, the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) Programme contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and production of trade-related statistics. This compendium includes details of achievements and benefits reported by countries—including Bangladesh and Sri Lanka—after implementing ASYCUDA systems. The information suggests ASYCUDA is not just a technical assistance program but also a development program.

Author: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

Year: 2019

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Tags: Sustainable Development Goals, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Trade

South Asia enjoyed solid economic activity in 2018 with gross domestic product (GDP) growth at 7% owing to strong domestic demand. Risks to the outlook include possible re-escalation of political uncertainties, financial sector weaknesses due to nonperforming assets, and fiscal challenges amid elections in several countries.

Author: World Bank Group

Year: 2019

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Tags: WB, South Asia, Trade

This report monitors global and regional foreign direct investment trends and national and international investment policy developments. Foreign direct investments (FDI) in South Asia grew by 4% in 2018 to $54 billion, with India accounting for $42 billion. International cooperation in the development of special economic zones (SEZs) has been increasing. In developing countries, many SEZs are built through bilateral partnerships or as part of development cooperation programs. In South Asia, the number of SEZs is set to increase substantially. India has 200 new zones in the pipeline, while Bangladesh has 60, and Nepal 12.

Author: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

Year: 2019

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Tags: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, FDI, Investment, South Asia, UNCTAD

This report highlights sanitary and phytosanitary measures and technical barriers to trade and identifies Nepal products with the potential to gain market share in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka. It also examines how nontariff barriers to trade can be overcome by upgrading quality standards and laboratory equipment and strengthening accrediting and assessment bodies.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2019

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Tags: Nepal, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, Technical Barriers to Trade, Non-Tariff Measures, ADB RCI

Basic Statistics presents select economic, environmental, and social indicators used to track progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. It includes indicators for development indicators for 46 economies in the Asia and Pacific region, including those for the seven SASEC countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2019

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Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Trade, Sustainable Development Goals, Energy

The Asia-Pacific region needs an estimated $1.5 trillion per year to end poverty and hunger, provide basic health care, quality education, enabling infrastructure, and clean energy for all, and for climate action and living in harmony with nature. Available public and private resources make these ambitions affordable for most countries in the region. However, development partnerships and regional cooperation are needed for all countries to achieve these “ambitions beyond growth.”

Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Year: 2019

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Tags: Sustainable Development Goals, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Maldives, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Trade, Energy

This report identifies the challenges faced by micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in India, Kenya, and Viet Nam in adopting e-commerce platforms for selling in domestic and international markets. De minimis refers to the minimum value of goods, below which no duties and taxes are collected and streamlined border clearance is provided. This report finds that expanding the scope of de minimis to cover local taxes along with customs duties would maximize benefits for MSEs by addressing constraints MSEs face in trading across borders.

Author: CUTS International

Year: 2019

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Tags: India, Trade, Small and Medium Enterprise

South Asia continues to be the fastest growing subregion. Growth outlook for the subregion is forecast to remain robust, with growth projected at 6.6% in 2019 and 6.7% in 2020. India is projected to grow by 7.0% in 2019 and 7.2% in 2020. Bangladesh growth accelerated to 8.1% in FY2019 with faster growth in industry and services. GDP growth in Sri Lanka and Nepal surpassed Asian Development Outlook 2019 (ADO 2019) forecasts, according to preliminary official estimates. Tourism performed well in Bhutan and Maldives on rising arrivals and revenue.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2019

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Tags: ADB, South Asia, Trade, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Tourism

Both soft and hard infrastructure are needed to successfully implement the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal Motor Vehicles Agreement (BBIN MVA) and other connectivity initiatives. This field survey report identifies infrastructural gaps in India and suggests possible remedies to help improve flow of goods among the BBIN economies.

Author: CUTS International

Year: 2019

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Tags: BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Transport, Trade Facilitation

Developing Bhutan’s road connectivity and infrastructure could help the country take full advantage of its economic potential. According to this policy brief, optimizing Bhutan’s infrastructure would improve people’s livelihood and reduce poverty. This brief outlines issues related to physical infrastructure and offers suggestions to hurdle development obstacles.

Author: CUTS International

Year: 2019

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Tags: Bhutan, Regional Connectivity, Transport

Trade connectivity is expected to bring economic growth and prosperity and reduce poverty in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal (BBIN). It will strengthen the economies of landlocked Bhutan and Nepal and give BBIN countries greater access to global markets for exports and imports. The Motor Vehicles Agreement will promote containerization of multimodal cargo movement, which will help reduce trade costs. This study identifies eight trade corridors in the BBIN countries and provides details on existing infrastructure, time-cost-distance analysis, and projected sociopolitical impact.

Author: CUTS International

Year: 2019

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Tags: BBIN, BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement, Transport, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal

Impact evaluations in the energy sector has so far focused on rural electrification and improved cookstoves. However, most investments have been in power generation and transmission. This energy sector impact evaluation report assesses what has been produced against what might be possible. It summarizes outcomes of 85 impact evaluations of energy interventions in developing countries, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal. It looks at evidence gaps and proposes future directions for impact evaluations in the energy sector.

Author: David A. Raitzer, Nina Blöndal, and Jasmin Sibal

Year: 2019

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Tags: Energy, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, India

This report looks at the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) performance in achieving the goals set out in ADB’s Strategy 2020. In its South Asia operations, ADB supported the linking of countries through transport connectivity. ADB has committed $180 million to rehabilitate the Kanchanpur–Kamala section of the East–West Highway in Nepal to promote safety and transport connectivity. It is also committed to a $150 million project through the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Road Connectivity Investment Program to upgrade a section of the Asian Highway connecting Manipur, India, to Myanmar and construct an international bridge between India and Nepal.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2019

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Tags: ADB, India, Jobs, Myanmar, Nepal, SASEC, Transport, Road

Development of transport is integral to the development of economic corridors, regional economic integration, and trade. This publication reviews the impact of 91 transport interventions in developing countries, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal. It summarizes the project outcomes, identifies evidence gaps, and presents proposals for future directions.

Author: David A. Raitzer, Nina Blöndal, and Jasmin Sibal

Year: 2019

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Tags: Bangladesh, Regional Connectivity, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Rail, Road, Transport

This report provides renewable energy statistics for 2009–2018. It includes figures on total renewable energy capacity installed and connected by energy source (hydropower, wind energy, solar energy, etc.). It gives figures for capacity per region and per country, including those for Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

Author: International Renewable Energy Agency

Year: 2019

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Tags: Renewable Energy, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal

The Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicles Agreement aims to strengthen connectivity and economic cooperation among the BBIN countries. It could create jobs and increase trade in South Asia and could lead to lower prices for consumers. This policy brief looks at transport corridors and identifies infrastructure gaps that need to be bridged to improve the flow of goods to and from Bangladesh.

Author: CUTS International

Year: 2019

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Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, BBIN, BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement, Regional Connectivity, Transport

South Asia’s economy has grown while significantly reducing poverty. Yet concerns persist regarding growing joblessness and poor job quality. This report shows how increasing exports per worker could result in higher wages for skilled workers, while less-skilled and rural workers could benefit from new jobs. To spread benefits from higher exports, policies are needed to raise skills and get women and youth into better jobs.

Author: Erhan Artuc, Gladys Lopez-Acevedo, Raymond Robertson, and Daniel Samaan

Year: 2019

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Tags: South Asia, Jobs, Trade

This report is a part of CUTS International’s series of field surveys to understand the economic scenario and its impact on cross-border trade in the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) subregion. The report identifies procedural issues that affect trade and suggests remedial measures to help increase the speed of connectivity and create and enabling environment for the implementation of the BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement.

Author: CUTS International

Year: 2019

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Tags: BBIN, Bangladesh, Bhutan, BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement, India, Nepal, Transport

The Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal Motor Vehicles Agreement (BBIN MVA) aims to integrate the region through smooth movement of passenger and commercial vehicles across the BBIN countries. This survey presents a first-hand perspective on infrastructure in the region. This paper lays out impediments to trade and suggests a way forward to create an enabling environment for the motor vehicles agreement to succeed.

Author: CUTS International

Year: 2019

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Tags: Bangladesh, BBIN, Bhutan, India, Nepal, BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement, Transport

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) supports cross-border infrastructure to help foster regional cooperation and integration. It is transforming transport corridors into economic corridors, allowing South Asian countries to participate in regional and global value chains and promote agriculture trade. In 2018, ADB committed $150 million to upgrade sections of South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) road corridors in India and Nepal. The investments aim to improve connectivity between Manipur (in India) and Myanmar; build an India–Nepal international bridge; and improve the safety of Nepal’s East–West Highway. ADB also approved a technical assistance project to build institutional capacity and improve expertise of trade facilitation officials in SASEC member countries.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2019

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Tags: Economic Corridor Development, ADB, Energy, India, Nepal, SASEC, Trade Facilitation

How can Sri Lanka address nontariff barriers (NTBs) that hinder growth of its trade with Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, and Nepal? The study examined the impact of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) and technical barriers to trade (TBT)-related nontariff measures enforced by SASEC countries to Sri Lanka’s exports with maximum potential, conducted a national diagnostic audit of the SPS and TBT infrastructure, and identified current SPS and TBT infrastructure capacity constraints. It considered options and opportunities to deal with the identified NTBs, including recommendations to improve Sri Lanka’s SPS–TBT infrastructure, and enhancing efficiency of SPS–TBT-related processes. Findings of the study could help formulate policies, laws, and institutions to address SPS–TBT-related NTBs and promote intraregional trade, as well as provide considerations for bilateral Free Trade Agreement negotiations. Additionally, the study provides traders with a comprehensive coverage of available export opportunities in Sri Lanka, and barriers they could encounter.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2019

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Tags: Sri Lanka, Trade, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, Technical Barriers to Trade, Non-Tariff Measures, ADB RCI

Developing Asia is projected to grow at 5.7% in 2019 and 5.6% in 2020. South Asia is projected to bounce back in 2019 and 2020 from the previous year’s slowdown. India’s growth is expected to pick up to 7.2% in 2019 (from 7.0% in the previous year) on recovery in agriculture and strong domestic demand. Bangladesh is projected to grow by 8.0% in 2019. Bhutan is expecting modest growth while the outlook for Maldives is for growth to moderate. Nepal should expect stable growth in 2019 while Sri Lanka is projected to recover moderately. Inflation in South Asia is projected to rise to 4.7% in 2019. Growth should pick up in Myanmar in Southeast Asia.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2019

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Tags: ADB, South Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka

This diagnostic study aims to develop a better understanding of how sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures and technical barriers to trade (TBT) in Maldives negatively affect its trade potential. Selected export products from Maldives that could be traded more within the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) subregion are identified. The impact of SPS and TBT measures applied by importing SASEC member countries on these products are studied to gather possible reasons for consistent low levels of intraregional trade within South Asia, compared to trade with other countries. General and priority recommendations are provided to address the issues.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2019

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Tags: Maldives, Trade, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, Technical Barriers to Trade, Non-Tariff Measures, ADB RCI

Myanmar serves as a land bridge between South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. This book identifies regional and subregional opportunities for Myanmar to harness natural and human resources, industrial potential, and infrastructure connectivity as part of the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) program. SASEC Vision – Myanmar serves to supplement the 2017 SASEC Vision document, which articulates shared aspirations of the SASEC countries and sets the path to achieve these through regional collaboration.

Author: South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Program

Year: 2019

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Tags: SASEC, Trade Facilitation, Transport, Energy

This policy brief explores these two corridors in Myanmar: the Myawaddy-Yangon-Mandalay-Tamu corridor to India and the Pyarpon-Bogalay-Yangon-Sittwe-Maungdaw corridor to Bangladesh. It identifies possible infrastructure development that would help integrate Myanmar with Bangladesh and India.

Author: CUTS International

Year: 2018

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Tags: Bangladesh, BBIN, India, Myanmar, Trade Facilitation, Transport

Radical transformation are needed in the least developed countries to allow them to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. A group of 47 countries must enact policies that create jobs, let enterprises thrive, and transform their economies. It looks at the need to addresses in weaknesses in infrastructure and trade facilitation and for strategies and policies for developmental regionalism and South-South cooperation.

Author: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

Year: 2018

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Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Least Developed Countries, Sustainable Development Goals, Trade

Electricity demand is doubling in developing economies, led by India. This makes cleaner and affordable electricity central to economic development and emissions reduction. This report analyzes different pathways across various fuels and technologies. It looks at policies that could help reduce air pollution and meet global energy and climate goals.

Author: International Energy Agency

Year: 2018

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Tags: Energy, India, Renewable Energy

Around 80% of volume of global trade are carried by sea and are handled by ports. According to this report, global maritime trade experienced its fastest growth in five years. Prospects for maritime trade are bright. However risks exist in the form of trade frictions, the global energy transition, etc. The report states that technological advances including artificial intelligence, blockchain applications, the internet of things, and autonomous ships and drones could potentially boost efficiency in global shipping.

Author: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

Year: 2018

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Tags: Cooperation, South Asia, Transport

The Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Report provides information and independent analyses of regional trends and policy developments in trade, goods, and commercial services. In 2018, the Asia-Pacific region increased its share of global merchandise trade. Intraregional and interregional trade also accelerated in Asia-Pacific. As trade among and with North, Central, and South Asia still involve high costs, more cooperation is needed on digitalization of trade processes.

Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Year: 2018

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Tags: South Asia, Trade Facilitation Agreement, WTO, SAARC, UNESCAP

A record 314 reforms were undertaken around the world, serving to improve business climate in the past year. South Asian economies carried out 19 reforms, many of which focused on improving starting a business, access to credit, paying taxes, and resolving insolvency. South Asia scored the highest for trading across borders. India continued its reform agenda and advanced 23 slots to 77th place in the global ranking, making it South Asia’s top-ranked economy. Bhutan introduced an online platform for filling corporate and personal income tax. Sri Lanka climbed to 100th place after instituting reforms on paying taxes and enforcing contracts.

Author: World Bank Group

Year: 2018

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Tags: Ease of Doing Business, South Asia, Trade Facilitation, WB

Customs duties, local taxes, and customs clearance increase trade costs and serve as obstacles for many small and medium enterprises. This paper explores challenges these enterprises face in using e-platforms and trading internationally. It looks at de minimis exemptions (the minimum value of goods below which no duties are collected) in India and other economies and analyzes the impact of these exemptions on exports by micro and small enterprises.

Author: Sanjay Kumar Mangla

Year: 2018

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Tags: India, Trade Facilitation

Improved inter-island connectivity plays a key role to achieving inclusive growth in Maldives. This Asian Development Bank brief explores investments in harbor infrastructure, operation, and maintenance in Maldives, and looks to understand the opportunities these provide, especially for women, and for poor and vulnerable groups in the country.

Author: Andri Heriawan

Year: 2018

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Tags: ADB, Maldives, Transport

Using global and national data, this report presents a ranking of countries’ energy performance in terms of energy security, energy equity, and environmental sustainability. The rankings show impacts of decisions and changes to suggest policy innovation that could help countries successfully navigate the energy transition. In South Asia, India was noted for increasing diversity of its energy generation while trying to meet rising demand. Bhutan attained 100% electrification in 2016, while Bangladesh increased energy access from 55% to 76% from 2014 to 2018, largely due to the use of micro and mini solar power systems. Nepal has achieved 91% electricity access and is on track to achieving 100% electrification by 2030.

Author: World Energy Council

Year: 2018

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Tags: Energy, South Asia

Bangladesh needs a holistic development strategy to drive regionally balanced development. An integrated strategy for economic corridor development suits the country as it is a proven tool that enables industrial proliferation, upgrades infrastructure, unifies domestic markets, and links production centers with global value chains. Developing economic corridors would create jobs and markets and decentralize development in Bangladesh.

Author: Soon Chan Hong

Year: 2018

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Tags: ADB, Bangladesh, Economic Corridor Development, ADB RCI

Growth forecasts for developing Asia stand at 5.8% in 2019. South Asia is still the fastest-growing subregion in developing Asia, while 2019 forecasts are revised down marginally at 7.1%. Bangladesh maintains its growth momentum with the expansion of exports and remittances. Growth in Bhutan has moderated while tourist arrivals grew strongly in Maldives. India exports are increasing along with the country’s industrial and agricultural output. GDP in Sri Lanka grew by 3.7% amid revived private consumption. In Nepal, exports surged by 16.1% while remittances grew to a record $2.1 billion.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2018

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Tags: ADB, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka

The report looks at international trade and analyzes how digital technologies will reduce trade costs. It examines the internet of things, artificial intelligence, 3-D printing and blockchain, and speculates how these things will affect global trade in the next 15 years. It looks at indicators on South Asia and other regions to help evaluate each region’s preparedness for the digital age.

Author: World Trade Organization

Year: 2018

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Tags: South Asia, Trade Facilitation Agreement, WTO

This paper summarizes a study that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) undertook upon the request of the Government of Tamil Nadu, India. The state sought to become a preferred investment destination with an investor-friendly business climate. The study identified policy, institutional, and process reforms to improve the ease of doing business in Tamil Nadu, including institutional and regulatory reforms needed for the East Coast Economic Corridor (ECEC) development. The study resulted in the implementation of an online single window mechanism that simplified and sped up processes for transparent and time-bound clearances for investors.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2018

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Tags: ADB, Ease of Doing Business, Economic Corridor Development, India, Single Window, ADB RCI

This report tracks the progress of regional cooperation and integration in Asia. It shows how intraregional trade grew in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific. In South Asia, the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) has been focused on building multimodal connectivity to facilitate trade as one of its priorities. Its operational plan is being reviewed to better reflect regional project priorities in the region. SASEC is also studying how Myanmar, its newest member, is to be integrated as a vital link between South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. The chapter "Toward Optimal Provision of Regional Public Goods in Asia and the Pacific" looks at how collective action among countries can help find solutions for such transnational challenges as infrastructure connectivity, environmental degradation, and transnational health threats.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2018

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Tags: ADB, Regional Cooperation, SASEC, Trade Facilitation

Amid a turbulent international environment, South Asia is expected to remain the fastest-growing region in the world. Growth in Bangladesh will be driven by consumption and public investment. In Bhutan, growth is expected to accelerate with the commissioning of two major hydropower projects. Growth in India firms up prompted by the adoption of the Goods and Services Tax and the recapitalization of banks. Maldives is projected to grow strongly based on dynamism in construction and tourism. Economic activity in Nepal is set to grow over the medium term while Sri Lanka’s economic growth will recover following 2017’s weather disruptions. The report highlights how growth performance is anchored on domestic consumption rather than private investment or exports.

Author: World Bank

Year: 2018

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Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Economic Growth, Exports

India and Bangladesh use inland waterways to trade goods, mainly through three routes. The most active route is a portion of Protocol Route 1 between Kolkata, India, and Narayanganj, Bangladesh. This paper by Consumer Unity and Trust Society (CUTS) International explores how cross-border trade may be expanded along the stretch between Dhubri, India, and Chilmari, Bangladesh. Opening the route to small mechanized boats would offer livelihood opportunities to boat pilots, boat builders, vendors, small traders. Farmers will also have access to new markets across the border. The study highlights the need for an inclusive developmental approach that encourages cooperation in trade and connectivity and benefits marginalized communities.

Author: Saurabh Kumar, Susan Mathew, and Veena Vidyadharan

Year: 2018

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Tags: Transport, India, Bangladesh, Trade, Connectivity

This report takes an in-depth look at trade in South Asia and examines barriers that have held back trade in the subregion. It examines tariffs and para-tariffs, real and perceived non-tariff barriers, connectivity costs, and the broader trust deficit and outlines concrete steps for tapping trade potential through deeper integration. It offers policy recommendations that could help push key areas of trade that would be beneficial to all countries in the subregion.

Author: Sanjay Kathuria

Year: 2018

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Tags: Connectivity, Regional Cooperation, South Asia, Free Trade Agreements

This report presents key indicators on trade in goods and services, highlighting the major exports and imports for each economy as well as their main trading partners. It gives a snapshot of the importance of trade in the economy and gives information on total trade flows. The report includes trade profiles for 197 economies, including Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, and Nepal, and covers data on trade per capita, world ranking in exports and imports, and trade in commercial services. It also covers data on patent, trademark, and industrial design applications for each country. India ranks 8th in exports of commercial services, while Bangladesh ranks 49th in imports of merchandise. Sri Lanka ranks 69th in exports of commercial services.

Author: World Trade Organization

Year: 2018

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Tags: Trade, WTO

This publication outlines key steps to launching Maldives’ national single window (NSW) platform. An archipelago, Maldives’ geographic dispersion contributes to logistics and border control challenges. An NSW on a digital platform will allow all trade stakeholders to submit and access information on importing and exporting goods in a single place. It will streamline international trade procedures, minimize the time, effort, and resources needed to conduct trade, while helping the government maintain requisite controls. With current bottlenecks to trade in Maldives leading to some of the highest import and export costs in the South Asian subregion, leveraging on information and communications technology will help the country overcome physical and logistical barriers to trade, and significantly improve efficiency. More efficient trade procedures can lower the costs of imports, exports, and goods, and help drive economic growth.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2018

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Tags: Maldives, National Single Window, ADB RCI

In India, foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows dropped from $44 billion in 2016 to $40 billion in 2017. Across South Asia, FDI inflows are predicted to stagnate or decline marginally in 2018. The global trend in FDI flows demonstrates the need for open, transparent, and non-discriminatory investment policies to maintain an environment conducive for investment. New types of industrial policies are emerging to respond to opportunities and challenges brought about by a new industrial revolution. This report examines investment policy tools available in the new environment.

Author: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

Year: 2018

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Tags: Connectivity, FDI, Global Value Chains, India, Investment, Policy, Sustainable Development Goals, South Asia, UNCTAD

South Asia is the world's fastest-growing region. The region has also shown significant reduction in poverty and income inequality owing to improved road transport, electricity, and sanitation. The growth is attributed partly to the improvement in infrastructure in Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka. Yet, to sustain growth and deal with climate change, the region must invest more to develop infrastructure in the next 15 years. This paper looks at public and private sector financing of infrastructure and discusses the factors driving infrastructure investment.

Author: Shikha Jha and Rosa Mia Arao

Year: 2018

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Tags: Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Energy, ICT, Infrastructure, Public Private Partnerships, Transport

This report offers insights into how trade benefits the poor, those in rural areas, micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, and women. It also shows how productivity and living standards could be raised through greater openness in key areas, such as services trade and e-commerce. The report goes on to suggest that trade policies should aim to build greater openness and urge countries to reinvest in open, rules-based global trade.

Author: International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and the World Trade Organization

Year: 2018

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Tags: India, Regional Cooperation, Trade Facilitation Agreement, WTO

This report presents the latest economic, financial, social, and environmental statistics for the 48 regional members of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). In 2017, foreign direct investment flows to developing Asia was stable, with 8.8% going to South Asia; energy gains were made in five of six countries in South Asia; and starting a business continues become easier in most developing ADB member economies following lowered regulatory costs and simplified compliance procedures. Nepal and Armenia experienced the most rapid annual growth rate at 7.5%, while India witnessed a 6.7% growth in GDP.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2018

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Tags: ADB, Energy, Transport, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka

The Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal (BBIN) initiative focuses on establishing connectivity, which have helped foster regional trade and improve sustainable resource management. This publication contains discussions held at the Young Thinkers' Conference, entitled "BBIN: Opportunities and Challenges," held in 2017 in Kolkata, India. The section "Strengthening Connectivity in the BBIN" looks at how connectivity in the subregion could be increased through several measures that address a number of logistical handicaps. "BBIN: The Way Ahead" examines the need for cooperation among the countries to achieve collective growth.

Author: Anasua Basu Ray Chaudhury et al

Year: 2018

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Tags: Bangladesh, BBIN, Bhutan, India, Nepal

The Bay of Bengal region is rising as an economic and strategic hub, with the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) playing a key role in promoting growth and development in the region. BIMSTEC is also being seen as a potential driver of integration between South Asia and Southeast Asia. Given Japan's relationship with BIMSTEC nations, this brief makes a case for deeper engagement between Japan and BIMSTEC. The benefits could include cooperation in infrastructure, connectivity, and energy projects. A free trade agreement between the two entities would also be mutually beneficial.

Author: Vindu Mai Chotani

Year: 2018

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Tags: ASEAN, Bangladesh, Bhutan, BIMSTEC, Connectivity, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Free Trade Agreements

This Update forecasts 6.0% growth for the region in 2018 and 5.8% in 2019. In South Asia, economic outlook remains optimistic. The region is expected to sustain its growth momentum, and meet projections of 7.0% in 2018 and 7.2% in 2019. Forecast for India is maintained at 7.3% in 2018 and 7.6% in 2019. Robust investment climate in Bangladesh is driving projections from 7.0% to 7.9% in 2018 and 7.2% to 7.5% in 2019, and in Nepal, from 4.9% to 5.9% in 2018. A drop in domestic demand lowers growth projections for Bhutan, from 7.1% to 6.7% in 2018 and 7.4% to 7.1% in 2019, and Sri Lanka, from 4.2% to 3.8% in 2018 and 4.8% to 4.5% in 2019.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2018

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Tags: South Asia, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, ADB, Bhutan

World Tariff Profiles 2018 presents comprehensive data on tariffs and non-tariff measures imposed by over 170 countries and customs territories. It provides data on tariffs imposed by these economies, in comparative tables and one-page profiles. This year's report presents a special analysis of least-developed countries’ (LDCs) use of preferential market access offered by trading partners. It highlights how LDCs benefit from preferential customs duties, and examines products eligible for preferential treatment, to show how members utilize preferential tariff schemes for LDCs and use other "competing" preferential duty arrangements.

Author: World Trade Organization

Year: 2018

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Tags: LDC, Least Developed Countries, Customs, Trade

Maldives is implementing reforms to improve risk management controls and to strengthen its trade environment. Risk management aims to determine which goods need to be examined in detail when entering a country. As government agencies improve service delivery, traders will benefit from reduced time to import and export goods, increased predictability of services, and greater ease of doing business. This report shows that improvements to risk management processes to deliver operational and economic gains in Maldives can be replicated across South Asia.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2018

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Tags: Customs, Maldives, SASEC, Trade, ADB RCI

This book looks at how the economic benefits of investments in transport corridors could be amplified and how negative impacts could be minimized in South Asia. The book introduces an appraisal methodology that looks at the web of interconnected elements around corridors and assesses proposed corridors according to their potential to bring wider economic benefits (WEB). It uses case studies of past and recent corridor initiatives, and presents a simulation of the impact of the proposed Kolkata-Dhaka corridor.

Author: Asian Development Bank, JICA, UKAID, World Bank

Year: 2018

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Tags: ADB, Economic Corridor Development, Gender, Regional Integration, Roads, Trade, Transport, WB, ADB RCI

Connecting to Compete summarizes the findings from the latest data from the 2018 Logistics Performance Index (LPI) and its six component indicators. The book aims to help countries frame policies by looking at supply chain performance and constraints in 100 countries, using data on time, distance and reliability; and ratings on domestic infrastructure quality, services, and border agencies. Among lower-middle-income countries, India stands among the top performers with an LPI score of 3.18 and ranked 44th.

Author: Arvis et al.

Year: 2018

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Tags: India, Logistics

South Asia uses only 20% its hydropower potential, estimated at more than 350 gigawatts. This report looks at regional electricity trade and examines the potential of hydropower development and trade in the region. It studies the importance of improving cross-border transmission interconnections to promote hydropower in South Asia. It also shows that large hydropower development would provide the additional benefits of irrigation and flood control that can be shared among neighboring countries, such as Bangladesh, India, and Nepal.

Author: Govinda R. Timilsina

Year: 2018

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Tags: Bangladesh, Energy, Hydropower, Nepal, Regional Cooperation, South Asia, Trade

World Trade Statistical Review 2018 presents the latest developments in world trade, with analysis of recent trends for trade in goods and services. It looks at the performance of developing economies, where merchandise exports increased by 12% in 2017. The book also looks at value-added exchanges and digital trade, and provides data on trade-facilitating measures and on the implementation of regional trade agreements, such as the South Asian Free Trade Area.

Author: World Trade Organization

Year: 2018

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Tags: Trade Facilitation Agreement, WTO, UNCTAD

This paper looks at the role of manufacturing in the East Asia’s development success. Part 2 of the paper examines country policies that have helped accelerate industrial development and learning. It also looks at the role of global value chains in Asia and the varied experiences of Asian countries with their industrial policies.

Author: Jesus Felipe

Year: 2018

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Tags: ADB, Industrialization, Trade, Global Value Chains

This study profiles the transport and logistics environment in Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) member countries. It also identifies transport-related strategies for achieving trade development goals in the region and suggests an institutional framework for implementing those strategies.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2018

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Tags: BIMSTEC, Connectivity, Infrastructure

The Asia-Pacific region experienced rapid growth as inflation remained stable and firmer global demand supported a pickup in investments. In the South and South-West Asian subregion, there is an opportunity for greater trade integration. It is the fastest-growing subregion in Asia and the Pacific, with growth accelerating in all countries with the exception of India and Sri Lanka. In Bangladesh, large infrastructure projects and new energy initiatives drove strong domestic demand and backed the country’s robust growth.

Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Year: 2018

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Tags: Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Infrastructure, Energy

Under its new long-term strategy, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) continues its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty while bringing focus to a vision of a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia-Pacific. ADB’s key operational priorities include the fostering of regional cooperation and integration, covering its support for enhancing connectivity and competitiveness, promoting regional public goods, and strengthening the financial sector cooperation. ADB also aims to strengthen subregional initiatives, such as the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Program.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2018

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Tags: ADB, Energy, Regional Cooperation, SASEC, Regional Integration, Connectivity

The 51st ADB Annual Meeting in Manila gathered people from around the world to discuss the changes emerging on the development landscape. One seminar focused on promoting inclusive growth through inter-subregional cooperation, discussing the potential expansion and diversification of foreign direct investment of SMEs in the India and Mekong subregions.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2018

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Tags: Exports, ADB, Regional Cooperation, Small and Medium Enterprise, Inclusive Growth

Asia is the world’s largest e-commerce marketplace. In South Asia, India has the largest e-commerce market at $33 billion in 2017. Maldives, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka lead the subregion in terms of percentage of the population with access to the internet. This report introduces a framework for analyzing the quality of e-commerce development in the Asia-Pacific region and discusses lessons learned regarding e-commerce development. The framework incorporates economic factors, institutional environment, and social acceptance to assess e-commerce development and suggest the way forward.

Author: Asian Development Bank, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Year: 2018

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Tags: ADB, ICT, Trade, UNESCAP, Maldives, Bhutan, Sri Lanka

This first part traces the structural transformation in developing Asia and analyzes the relationship between export-led growth model and industrialization. Finally, it reviews the industrialization experiences of Japan and the Republic of Korea, and discusses the recent deindustrialization debate.

Author: Jesus Felipe

Year: 2018

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Tags: ADB, Industrialization, Trade, Global Value Chains

South Asia continues to be the fastest expanding subregion, with growth on track to achieve forecasts of 7.0% in 2018 and 7.2% in 2019. India will meet April forecasts of 7.3% in 2018 and 7.6% in 2019. Owing to strong agricultural growth in Bangladesh and industry growth in Nepal, 2018 GDP growth in the two countries surpassed earlier forecasts. Decline in construction slowed Sri Lanka’s economic growth to 3.2% while hydropower production was lower than forecast in Bhutan. Cement, wood, and metal imports grew in Maldives.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2018

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Tags: ADB, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Energy, Hydropower, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka

High-speed railway in the People’s Republic of China exerts positive impact effects on growth, where a 1% increase in market access leads to an increase of 0.12% in real income. Drawing insights from the effects of transport infrastructure in India, this paper suggests that high-speed railway could help promote regional cooperation and stimulate regional economic growth.

Author: Wei Zou, Liangheng Chen, and Junke Xiong

Year: 2018

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Tags: ADB, Regional Cooperation, Transport, Railway

Basic Statistics presents development indicators for 45 economies in the Asia and Pacific region, including those for the seven SASEC countries, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. It presents selected core indicators such as international and national poverty rates, inflation, and current account balance. It also presents information on indicators related to land, population, sustainable development goals, national accounts, money, balance of payments, reserves, external debt, and central government finance.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2018

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Tags: Energy, ADB, Trade, Sustainable Development Goals, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka

This report serves as the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) tool for monitoring and strengthening its progress. In South Asia, ADB’s $1.3 billion commitment to regional cooperation and integration (RCI) were spread across South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) program’s priority areas: transport, energy, trade facilitation, and economic corridor development. Project preparation work will expand the $5 billion pipeline for RCI in the subregion with 26 projects planned for approval. SASEC finance ministers endorsed a joint vision of regional cooperation and connectivity. Myanmar’s addition to SASEC improved cooperation prospects between South and Southeast Asian subregions.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2018

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Tags: ADB, Myanmar, SASEC, Transport, Economic Corridor Development

East Asia and Pacific (EAP) grew slightly faster than anticipated in 2017, with growth in Myanmar rebounding slightly at 6.4% due to strong exports. Amid risks to macroeconomic stability, EAP countries must enhance trade facilitation and integration, improve education systems, and upgrade capabilities of workers and managers.

Author: World Bank

Year: 2018

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Tags: Exports, GDP, India, Manufacturing, Myanmar, Poverty Reduction, Trade Facilitation, WB

Policymakers face complex and challenging tasks to develop clear, sustainable, and achievable pathways for South Asian countries and the rest of Asia-Pacific to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals for energy (SDG7). This report provides an analysis of what can be achieved under current policies. It then identifies gaps and presents transition pathways to assist policymakers to make informed decisions for achieving SDG7 targets.

Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Year: 2018

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Tags: Bangladesh, Energy, GDP, India, Myanmar, Sustainable Development Goals, UNESCAP

The report details the needed energy technologies and analyzes the costs and benefits of energy transition in Asia and the rest of the world. All regions are projected to experience high growth in gross domestic product from the energy transformation. Mexico, Brazil, and India are expected to post the highest welfare gains, where pollution’s impact on health is projected to fall sharply. To accelerate the energy transition, governments could establish more bilateral and multilateral demonstration projects and encourage development of internationally harmonized technical standards to facilitate cross-border trade and exchange of technologies.

Author: International Renewable Energy Agency

Year: 2018

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Tags: Climate Change, Renewable Energy, India, South Asia

Trade Costs, Time, and Supply Chain Reliability analyzes the effect of time on trade costs using shipment-level data from the Universal Postal Union. Distance and logistics performance are factors that affect transport times and uncertainty, which increase trade costs substantially. The paper suggests that by investing in improving connectivity, South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation countries could reduce transport times and increase reliability to major markets.

Author: Utsav Kumar, Ben Shepherd, and Roselle Dime

Year: 2018

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Tags: ADB, SASEC, Trade, Transport, ADB RCI

This paper uses a panel-based analysis to construct an Asia-Pacific Regional Cooperation and Integration Index (ARCII) to better track the progress of economic integration in the region. The index shows that trade and investment and movement of people are the main drivers of regional integration in Asia and the Pacific from 2006 to 2016. Asia comes second to the European Union in progress on regional integration.

Author: Cyn-Young Park and Racquel Claveria

Year: 2018

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Tags: ADB, Regional Cooperation, Regional Integration, Trade, Connectivity

Developing Asia is forecast to expand by 6.0% in 2018 and 5.9% in 2019. Growth in South Asia is expected to be revived after a two-year slowdown. India is expected to bounce back to 7.3% in 2018 and 7.6% in 2019 owing to the effects of tax and banking reforms and corporate deleveraging. Growth will be strong in the rest of South Asia, with a forecast of 7.0% in 2018 and 7.2% in 2019, but expansion will be affected in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka following a need to carry out revenue-enhancing fiscal reform and to strengthen economic policy. Inflation forecast in South Asia is 4.7% in 2018 and raised to 5.1% in 2019.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2018

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Tags: ADB, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Employment, Jobs, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Technology

This publication provides statistics on renewable power generation capacity for the last decade. It gives figures for global capacity, capacity per region, and capacity per country, including those for Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Figures include those for total energy generation capacity, total renewable capacity, and capacity by energy source (hydropower, wind energy, solar energy, etc.).

Author: International Renewable Energy Agency

Year: 2018

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Tags: Hydropower, Renewable Energy, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka

This report, developed by United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific in cooperation with the Asian Development Bank, reviews the major challenges in achieving energy access, efficiency, and renewable energy objectives at the regional and country levels. It looks at the growing support for regional connectivity as well as technical and political challenges to furthering cross-border power trade.

Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Year: 2018

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Tags: ADB, Renewable Energy, Regional Cooperation, UNESCAP

Regulations for e-commerce is evolving in India and the rest of the world. This paper traces the growth of the e-commerce sector in India, developments in the WTO, and India’s position. It finds that while trade rules in India are more liberal than in other countries, India needs to address gaps and inconsistencies in the regulations. It also recommends that India join the negotiations on trade rules.

Author: Arpita Mukherjee and Avantika Kapoor

Year: 2018

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Tags: ADB, India, Trade Facilitation Agreement, WTO

This issue of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) newsletter covers the fifth Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development and its calls for greater regional collaboration. It also features a report on how digital trade facilitation could cut trade costs in Asia-Pacific by $673 billion annually.

Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Year: 2018

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Tags: Paperless Trade, Sustainable Development Goals, Trade Facilitation Agreement, UNESCAP

This report introduces the Energy Transition Index, which looks at the performance of energy systems in 114 countries and their readiness to transition to a secure, sustainable, affordable, and inclusive future energy system. The report shows that India has been improving electricity access. It also encourages countries to benchmark themselves against comparable groups in terms of development status and energy trade balance to identify best practices and develop applicable improvement plans.

Author: World Economic Forum

Year: 2018

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Tags: Energy, India, Trade

This paper looks at trade and its effects on innovation. Its analysis of firm-level data from Bangladesh, India, and Nepal shows that shorter trade times add competitive pressure from world markets and induces firms to innovate, hence associated with introduction of new products and new management systems. The results suggest that policies that improve trade facilitation would support long-term growth in South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation countries.

Author: Ben Shepherd, Utsav Kumar, and Roselle Dime

Year: 2018

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Tags: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, SASEC, Trade Facilitation Agreement, WTO, ADB RCI

This paper asserts that advances in information technology have allowed companies to know more about individual consumers. This has challenged theories that assume consumers to be identical, where goods and services that enter regional value chains are slow to respond to changing demands. The paper predicts that countries and firms will succeed depending on how they will integrate consumer information into the process of value addition.

Author: Matthias Helble

Year: 2018

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Tags: Energy, ICT, Trade, Transport

This book looks at the impact of infrastructure investment on economic and social indicators, and shows how infrastructure investment can increase output, taxes, trade, and firm productivity. One study in the book shows that trade facilitation reforms in South Asia resulted in increased intraregional trade and trade with other regions. The book proposes innovative modes of financing for infrastructure needed to drive sustainable growth.

Author: Naoyuki Yoshino, Matthias Helble, and Umid Abidhadjaev (editors)

Year: 2018

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Tags: ADB, Infrastructure, Services, South Asia, Trade Facilitation

This paper reviews literature estimating the impact of large transport investments. It reviews 78 studies, 11 of which centers on infrastructure projects in India. The paper looks at the economic benefits of transport infrastructure projects to better understand how corridors could generate wider economic benefits, with a focus on roads, rails, and waterways. The review assesses the impact of transport corridor projects on economic welfare and equity, environmental quality, and social inclusion, and suggests a need for policies and institutions that address trade-offs.

Author: Mark Roberts, Martin Melecky, Theophile Bougna, and Yan Sarah Xu

Year: 2018

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Tags: Economic Corridor Development, India, Infrastructure, Investment, Railway, Roads, Transport, WB

As new modes of trade emerge from developments in the digital economy, new regulatory concerns arise regarding privacy, ensuring tax neutrality across different modes of trade, and competition. This paper considers the different approaches to these issues by different countries and country partnerships. It studies modes of trade in the digital era, categorizes concerns identified by stakeholders and governments, and reviews how regional trade agreements are working to address these concerns.

Author: Dan Ciuriak and Maria Ptashinka

Year: 2018

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Tags: Trade, WTO

This paper studies of the effect of the implementation of World Trade Agreement Trade Facilitation Agreement (WTO TFA) measures on trade costs in the Asia-Pacific region. Its analysis shows that full implementation of measures is associated with 15% reduction in trade cost. The paper also projects a 26% decrease in trade costs, amounting to $600 billion annually, with the full implementation of WTO TFA measures together with digital trade facilitation measures. It also looks at the need to develop legal and technical frameworks to support cross-border paperless trade, including the legal recognition of trade data and documents between public and private organizations in different countries.

Author: Yann Duval, Chorthip Utoktham, and Alexey Kravchenko

Year: 2018

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Tags: Trade Facilitation, Trade Facilitation Agreement, WTO

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) 2017 Annual Report details ADB’s operations, activities, and financial results over the year. In South Asia, finance ministers from South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) member countries launched the SASEC Vision, which sets a long-term strategy for inclusive growth for the region. ADB also signed seven SASEC projects worth a combined $1.33 billion, bringing SASEC’s cumulative investment portfolio to $10.72 billion. ADB helped form SASEC working groups for cross-border trade and supported economic corridors in Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka to facilitate trade and investment in South Asia.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2018

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Tags: ADB, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Regional Cooperation, SASEC, South Asia

This report provides analytical insights and empirical evidence on foreign direct investment’s (FDI) drivers and contributions to economic transformation. Data are categorized by sector and geographic origin and destination of investment, including analysis for SASEC countries using data for Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. The report explores the potential of FDI to create growth for local firms, assesses the effectiveness of fiscal incentives in attracting FDI, and gives practical recommendations to developing countries.

Author: World Bank Group

Year: 2018

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Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, FDI, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Trade, WB, Myanmar

This book reviews issues concerning the roles of services in global value chains. It presents a framework for assessing links among different services and between services and the manufacturing sector. The book explains the contribution of services to global value chains in the Asia-Pacific region and to the world and also draws lessons with which countries could understand the importance of services and participation in global value chains to achieving sustainable development.

Author: Witada Anukoonwattaka, Mia Mikic, Yuhua Zhang

Year: 2017

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Tags: ASEAN, Asia-Pacific, Energy, Global Value Chains, India, Nepal, Regional Cooperation, Sri Lanka, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Development Goals, Trade Facilitation, UNESCAP

Many in South Asia face electricity shortages that affect their socioeconomic development. But the region has a large hydropower potential and other energy resources that may be harnessed to drive growth in the region. This report looks at legal, regulatory, technical, and commercial requirements for energy trade to advance in the region, and gives recommendations for implementing the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Framework Agreement on Energy Trade.

Author: Asian Development Bank and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation in Law

Year: 2017

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Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Energy, Harmonisation, India, Industrialization, Maldives, Nepal, Regional Cooperation, South Asia, Sri Lanka, Trade, ADB RCI

This report looks at large-scale shifts in the global energy system, such as the the growing electrification of energy and the rise of renewables, and discusses how these shifts interact with each other. It also examines how India and other major developing countries are blurring the distinctions between energy producers and consumers.

Author: International Energy Agency

Year: 2017

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Tags: Energy, India, Renewable Energy, Renewables

This report discusses trade promotions and investment “megatrends” that are reshaping the world, such as digital transformation, the growing involvement of women in trade, “green” business and climate risk management, and the growing number of standards in value chains. It also examines innovative ways to promote SMEs by looking at initiatives in Bangladesh and other countries.

Author: International Trade Centre

Year: 2017

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Tags: Global Value Chains, Investment, Trade, Bangladesh, Small and Medium Enterprise

This is a guide for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), providing insights on entering international value chains and building business relationships. It discusses compliance with standards and regulations, contractual relationships, production and performance management, and strategies for diversification. It features success stories of small companies from India and other countries, illustrating how these companies became regional or global leaders.

Author: International Trade Centre

Year: 2017

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Tags: Global Value Chains, India, Small and Medium Enterprise

Digital trade facilitation is reducing trade costs for developing economies, allowing them to use trade as an engine of growth and sustainable development. This report provides an overview of trade facilitation and paperless trade implementation in the Asia-Pacific region. It analyzes the impact on trade costs of trade facilitation measures and reviews paperless trade provisions in recent regional trade agreements. Among the countries surveyed are Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Year: 2017

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Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Trade Facilitation Agreement, WTO

This report provides a roadmap for regional policy frameworks on trade facilitation to boost intraregional trade. It gives suggestions on how small and medium-sized enterprises could increase their participation in regional value chains and help deepen regional integration. It also shows how the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) partnership strengthens intraregional trade by improving trade facilitation efficiency in terms of strengthening standards, improving cross-border facilities, easing transport, and institution and capacity building.

Author: International Trade Centre

Year: 2017

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Tags: Regional Integration, SASEC, SME, Trade Facilitation Agreement, WTO

This study presents analysis of 59 national trade facilitation committees from around the world, based on a survey by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. It outlines how countries are applying the World Trade Organization Trade Facilitation Agreement article number 23.2 relating to the formation of national committees on trade facilitation. The study includes analysis of national trade facilitation committees’ institutional frameworks, composition, gender mainstreaming policies, communications activities, and financing sources. It also gives a summary of outcomes, obstacles faced, and lessons learned by the committees.

Author: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

Year: 2017

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Tags: Sri Lanka, Trade Facilitation Agreement, Transport, UNCTAD, WTO

This issue of the Review of Development in Transport in Asia and the Pacific looks at how transport development helps achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also discusses emerging trends that are making transport systems cleaner, safer, and more affordable, and examines how projects including the SASEC Road Connectivity Project in Bangladesh facilitate regional transport operational connectivity.

Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Year: 2017

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Tags: Bangladesh, SASEC, Sustainable Development Goals, Transport

This brief considers how Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) stands to gain by leveraging existing transport connectivity projects in the region. It looks at how initiatives, including those under the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Program and other groups, build connectivity through standards harmonization, multimodal integration, and development of national single windows.

Author: K. Yhome

Year: 2017

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Tags: BIMSTEC, Connectivity, Energy, Regional Cooperation, Single Window, Standards Harmonization, Transport

Trade Insight is published by the South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment. This issue’s main feature examines the special and differential treatment (S&D) provisions, which give least developed countries flexibilities in implementing WTO Agreements. The issue also includes features on trade integration among landlocked developing countries and the proposal to facilitate trade in services.

Author: South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment

Year: 2017

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Tags: Regional Integration, South Asia, Trade Facilitation Agreement, WTO

This paper looks at 1,454 trade strategies in the International Trade Centre’s Trade Strategy Map, the world’s largest collection of documents on trade and development. It identifies key trends in trade and development strategies from 169 countries and highlights the need to ensure coherence among domestic and multilateral strategies in the coming years.

Author: International Trade Centre

Year: 2017

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Tags: Trade, South Asia

This paper reviews the current state of trade and trade facilitation among the countries along the six corridors under the Belt Road Initiative (BRI), and looks at the potential impact of infrastructure development on trade. It explores at the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) corridor, and reviews trade growth, tariff rates, logistics performance index, ease of trading across borders, and other indicators in those countries.

Author: Bala Ramasamy, Matthew Yeung, Chorthip Utoktham, and Yann Duval

Year: 2017

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Tags: Bangladesh, Economic Corridor Development, India, Myanmar, Trade Facilitation

Bangladesh exporters are burdened by various non-tariff measures, as well as regulatory and procedural obstacles to trade. They face long waiting times and administrative hurdles, which include difficulties involving border clearance and shipment inspection. This report recommends upgrading domestic infrastructure and streamlining procedures, enhancing enterprise competitiveness, and improving transparency in trade and trade facilitation.

Author: International Trade Centre

Year: 2017

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Tags: Bangladesh, Trade Facilitation, Transparency

This report analyzes the results of the United Nations Global Survey on Trade Facilitation and Paperless Trade Implementation for Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members, including information on paperless trade and other select measures under the World Trade Organization Trade Facilitation Agreement (WTO TFA). Myanmar leads ASEAN countries in advancing implementation of TFA provisions.

Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Year: 2017

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Tags: ASEAN, Myanmar, Paperless Trade, Trade Facilitation Agreement, WTO

This work plan serves as a roadmap to implement the second tranche policy actions of the SASEC Customs Reform and Modernization for Trade Facilitation Program, a policy-based loan signed between the Government of Nepal and the Asian Development Bank. Ten policy actions feature reform milestones in (i) policy and legal framework, (ii) automation, (iii) organization restructuring, and (iv) capacity development—building blocks to transform the Nepal Department of Customs into risk-based, paperless e-Customs operations, introduce customs procedures with economic impact to promote exports, and comply with WTO TFA measures and implement RKC general standards and other relevant international standards. This work plan comprises tasks designed to boost the capacity of the Customs and support delivery of its Customs Reform and Modernization Strategies and Action Plan 2017–2021. It also includes implementation arrangements, timeline, and inputs from the technical assistance (TA) attached to the Program.

Author: Nepal Ministry of Finance, Department of Customs

Year: 2017

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Tags: SASEC, Customs, ADB, Nepal, Trade Facilitation Agreement

The 2017 Asian Economic Integration Report introduces the Asia-Pacific Regional Cooperation and Integration Index (ARCII), a composite index constructed from 26 socioeconomic indicators grouped into six dimensions: (i) trade and investment, (ii) money and finance, (iii) regional value chains, (iv) infrastructure and connectivity, (v) movement of people, and (vi) institutional and social integration. It helps capture the diversity of regional cooperation and integration, allowing Asian economies to keep track of their progress in regional integration. Within the region, ARCII shows RCI is highest in East Asia and Southeast Asia, but remains low in South Asia and Central Asia owing to gaps in infrastructure and connectivity. It is also low in the Pacific due to weak institutional and social integration. In subregional cooperation, SASEC comes third to the ASEAN and GMS. The publication highlights that regional integration can be improved through institutional and social dimensions, including efforts to remove national barriers to regional integration, adopt regional standards, and institutionalize regional frameworks, and narrowing gaps in regional connectivity and infrastructure.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2017

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Tags: Regional Cooperation, Trade Facilitation, Connectivity, SASEC, GMS

This report focuses on transformational energy access for the LDCs, where 62% of people have no access to electricity. It makes a case for trade in electricity, such as the 2014 South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation framework agreement for regional cooperation on electricity among Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. International and regional trade in electricity could help lower electricity prices, mitigate power shocks, relieve shortages, and facilitate the transition to cleaner energy.

Author: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

Year: 2017

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Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Energy, Least Developed Countries, Trade

The most common form of trade for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is regional trade. This report shows that regional trade agreements deliver inclusive growth, attracting value chain activity and fostering competitiveness for small firms. It provides advice for policymakers, businesses, and trade and investment support institutions. The report also includes 50 country profiles—including those of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka—showing SME competitiveness and export potential by region.

Author: International Trade Centre

Year: 2017

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Tags: Small and Medium Enterprise, Trade, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka

Regional cooperation and integration (RCI) is a valuable means for attaining national development goals. This report reviews ADB’s progress in implementing its Operational Plan for Regional Cooperation and Integration, 2016–2020, and identifies areas for improvement. It takes a close look at progress in connectivity, competitiveness, and regional public goods and collective action through projects such as the Nepal: SASEC Customs Reform and Modernization for Trade Facilitation Program.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2017

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Tags: Nepal, Energy, Trade, Customs, Myanmar, Regional Cooperation, Regional Integration, SASEC, Trade Facilitation

This report examines challenges and opportunities that underpin regional cooperation and integration in Asia and the Pacific. It gives recommendations on how to lay the foundations for market integration, seamless connectivity, and financial cooperation, and address shared vulnerabilities. It also looks at how cooperation in South Asia in such areas as energy and infrastructure financing could be enhanced to help address poverty and other issues.

Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Year: 2017

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Tags: Regional Cooperation, Regional Integration, SAARC, SASEC, UNESCAP, South Asia

This report provides analyses of trends and policy developments in trade in goods and commercial services in Asia-Pacific. It shows that merchandise trade remained subdued in 2016, with South and Southwest Asia accounting for 8% of Asia-Pacific exports and 12% of Asia-Pacific imports. Foreign direct investments inflows In South and South-West Asia decreased slightly by 4% to $66 billion in 2016. The report also argues for targeted trade and investment policies that strike a balance between economic development and social and environmental development.

Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Year: 2017

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Tags: Trade, Investment, FDI, ASEAN, India, Services, South Asia, Sri Lanka, Sustainable Development Goals, UNESCAP

This report presents statistics and indicators on international trade, investment, and development. It includes data on developing economies in South Asia, which in 2016 accounted for about $401 billion in merchandise exports and $529 billion in merchandise imports, $192 billion in service exports and $175 billion service imports, and 6.7% gross domestic product (GDP) growth.

Author: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

Year: 2017

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Tags: FDI, South Asia, Trade, Transport, UNCTAD

Paperless trade reduces trade costs and enables trade to drive growth and sustainable development. This report shares results of the global survey on trade facilitation and paperless trade implementation, covering 44 countries in Asia and the Pacific. It covers 47 trade facilitation measures, including those involving general trade, paperless trade, cross-border paperless trade, transit, and trade for small and medium-sized enterprises. The report gives an overview of trade facilitation implementation in South and Southwest Asia, and includes Bangladesh, India, and Myanmar in its analysis of transit measures in Asia and the Pacific.

Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Year: 2017

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Tags: UNESCAP, Bangladesh, India, Least Developed Countries, Maldives, Myanmar, Small and Medium Enterprise, Trade Facilitation Agreement, Transport Facilitation, WTO

This relief consignment procedure published by the Nepal Department of Customs act as guide for the import of relief materials in response to emergencies and disaster situations in Nepal. It identifies items that can and cannot be imported, and conditions for import, and details procedures for Customs clearance, including declaration and valuation. It also discusses provisions for temporary import or export of relief goods.

Author: Department of Customs, Ministry of Finance, Nepal

Year: 2017

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Tags: Customs, Nepal, Trade Facilitation, Temporary admission

This report synthesizes the business process analysis conducted on import of wool through Kolkata-Birgunj-Kathmandu, export of wool carpet from Kathmandu-Birgunj-Kolkata, and import of fabrics from Bangladesh to Nepal through Dhaka-Banglabandha-Fulbari-Panitanki-Kakarbhitta-Kathmandu. It also measures the performance of trade corridors and border crossings in Nepal, to quantify current trade and transport facilitation and provide recommendations. Findings of the study reveal bottlenecks to trade, including procedures needed to complete import/export, compounded by requirements for transiting trade through India, which further prolongs the trade process and increases the cost. The report includes specific short-term and long-term policies to improve Nepal’s trade and transport facilitation.

Author: Asian Development Bank and United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Year: 2017

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Tags: Trade Facilitation, Nepal, Import, Export, ADB RCI

This report gives the latest statistics on economic, financial, environmental, and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicators for the 48 regional members of the Asian Development Bank, including up-to-date figures on energy, trade, and transport. In 2016, Asia and the Pacific accounted for 40.9% of global gross domestic product (GDP). While foreign direct investment (FDI) flows declined in East Asia and Southeast Asia in 2016, FDI flows to South Asia remained stable. The average number of days required to start a business in South Asia was 16. Energy consumption is also expected to increase in the coming decades owing to increasing GDP per capita and an increase in the use of energy-consuming goods.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2017

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Tags: ADB, Energy, Transport, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka

Doing Business, an annual publication of the World Bank, presents quantitative indicators on business regulations that can be compared across 190 economies and over time. The report finds that entrepreneurs in 119 economies saw improvements in their local regulatory framework, including reforms for reducing complexity in regulatory processes for starting businesses. South Asia scores well for starting a business, though it scores only an average of 33.04 for resolving insolvency. India has the highest score in South Asia for protecting minority investors. Patterns show further room for improvement across all regions and at all income levels.

Author: World Bank Group

Year: 2017

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Tags: Ease of Doing Business, South Asia, WB

The ESCAP Newsletter is a monthly recap of the events and other activities of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP). This issue highlights the ASEAN-India partnership and how it could benefit the Asia-Pacific region. Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, Executive Secretary, UNESCAP, talks about the importance of sustainable development and regional cooperation and integration. The issue also features a story on strengthening technical cooperation between UNESCAP and Myanmar.

Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Year: 2017

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Tags: ASEAN, India, Myanmar, Regional Cooperation, Regional Integration, UNESCAP

This paper focuses on the impact of regional integration on development and poverty reduction in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) economic community. It examines economic growth, rapid trade, and investment expansion and looks at challenges presented by the deterioration in trade balances in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam. It also explores the role of regional integration in addressing the development gap in ASEAN countries.

Author: Amelia U. Santos-Paulino

Year: 2017

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Tags: ASEAN, Free Trade Agreements, Least Developed Countries, Myanmar, Regional Cooperation, Regional Integration, WTO

To improve energy security and stimulate economic growth in the face of an unprecedented energy crisis, Nepal is accelerating the development of its hydropower sector. This report examines the performance of Nepal’s energy sector amid development constraints, and highlights government development plans and strategy. It assesses the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB’s) future support strategy, which sees Nepal’s energy sector as a key driver of inclusive economic growth.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2017

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Tags: Energy, Nepal, SASEC, ADB, Hydropower

In 2014, Sri Lanka met its target of generating at least 10% of renewable energy (RE) in its electricity mix in. The following year, the share of large hydro and RE further increased, while the country’s use of fossil fuels in the electricity mix decreased. This report aims to help design mechanisms that would allow Sri Lanka to reach its goal of 100% RE in electricity generation by 2050. It looks at financial interventions needed for Sri Lanka to achieve its goal while examining technical and economic challenges the country will face in reaching its goal. This report is a co-publication of the Asian Development Bank and the United Nations Development Programme.

Author: Manpreet Singh et al

Year: 2017

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Tags: ADB, Cooperation, Hydropower, Sri Lanka, Renewable Energy, Trade

Growth forecast for developing Asia for 2018 is downgraded to 5.8%, from projections in the Asian Development Outlook 2017 Update in September 2017. Forecasts for the region’s inflation rates have been retained at 2.9% for 2018. For South Asia, growth outlook for 2018 is retained at 7.0%. India’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth rebounded to 6.3% in FY2017 (ending 31 March 2018), led by manufacturing. Bangladesh showed higher GDP growth for FY2017 (ended 30 June 2017) than was previously estimated. Bhutan showed stronger growth than forecast, supported by transport and communication services and construction. Growth projections for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka are in line with those in the Update.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2017

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Tags: ADB, India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Manufacturing

Updated yearly, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Fact Sheet provides social and economic indicators on India, as well as information on ADB operations and contact details. Millions of people from India have benefited from improvements to basic infrastructure and services from ADB-supported development programs. ADB has approved 205 loans totaling $35.1 billion for India, and will continue to support India through the pillars of inclusive growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional cooperation and integration.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2017

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Tags: ADB, India, Infrastructure, Regional Cooperation, Sustainability

This Asian Development Bank (ADB) Fact Sheet provides social and economic indicators on Sri Lanka and information on ADB operations in Sri Lanka and contact details. ADB has worked closely with the Government of Sri Lanka since 1966 and has provided loans, grants, and technical assistance totaling $8.4 billion. ADB assistance will focus on ensuring quality economic growth as Sri Lanka aims to reach upper-middle-income status.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2017

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Tags: ADB, Sri Lanka, Development

The ADB Fact Sheet provides social and economic indicators on Nepal, as well as information on ADB operations in the country and contact details. Nepal is working toward graduation to middle-income country status and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. ADB assistance aims to improve equitable access to education while pursuing a strategy that aims to address bottlenecks in infrastructure development in energy, transport, and urban facilities. ADB operations will also focus on agriculture, gender equality, good governance, environmental sustainability, regional cooperation, and private sector development.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2017

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Tags: ADB, Nepal, Sustainable Development Goals, Infrastructure, Energy, Transport, Agriculture, Regional Cooperation, Gender

Trade Profiles 2017 provides a series of key indicators on trade in goods and services for 196 economies, highlighting major exports and imports for each economy as well as their main trading partners. It provides a concise overview of global trade for each profile, showing detailed information about merchandise trade flows. It also features an expanded section on trade in commercial services and statistics on intellectual property.

Author: World Trade Organization

Year: 2017

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Tags: GDP, Trade, WTO

This survey reviews the current state of impact assessment of transport investments and policies on growth, inclusion, and sustainability in a developing country context. It reviews the cost and benefits of transport investment and policies in developed countries and discusses challenges in implementing transport interventions in developing countries.

Author: Claudia N. Berg, Uwe Deichmann, Yishen Liu, and Harris Selod

Year: 2017

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Tags: Investment, Sustainability, Transport

This report shows how the global economy is changing continuously and rapidly. It attempts to give a detailed picture of the dynamic network structure of the global economy, and tries to show how economies link up, specialize, and grow, in light of global value chains. It explains the difference between elements of an economy that are tradable and those that are non-tradable, while also presenting a picture of evolving patterns of independence.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2017

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Tags: Development, WB, WTO

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) Fact Sheet provides social and economic indicators on Bhutan, as well as information on ADB operations and contact details. Since 1982, ADB has supported Bhutan through projects in energy, finance, and trade facilitation, and transport. ADB has approved loans totaling $498.81 million, grants of $222.4 million, and $73.48 million in technical assistance for Bhutan. ADB support reflects strong emphasis on green energy production, transport connectivity, and urban infrastructure projects. To make growth more inclusive, ADB will help Bhutan through projects focusing on cross-border connectivity, skills development, and agriculture.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2017

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Tags: ADB, Bhutan, Energy, Connectivity, Transport, Agriculture, Roads

Updated yearly, this Asian Development Bank (ADB) Fact Sheet provides social and economic indicators on Myanmar, as well as information on ADB operations in the country and contact details. ADB is supporting Myanmar in promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, with investments focusing on infrastructure (in energy, transport, and urban and water services), education, and rural development. Regional cooperation will remain one of the key priorities.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2017

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Tags: ADB, Myanmar, Sustainability, Infrastructure, Energy, Transport, Regional Cooperation

This Asian Development Bank (ADB) Fact Sheet provides social and economic indicators on Maldives, and information on ADB operations and contact details. ADB is helping Maldives upgrade commercial and domestic harbors, ensure power supply reliability, boost economic growth, and reduce regional disparities in living standards. Projects in sustainable energy development are helping Maldives achieve carbon neutrality and reduce high fuel costs. Since 1978, ADB has approved 29 loans and grants totaling $248.53 million for Maldives, and has funded 67 technical assistance projects totaling $29.65 million.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2017

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Tags: ADB, Maldives, Energy, Transport, Development, Sustainability

Developing Asia is forecast to expand by 5.9% in 2017 and 5.8% in 2018, a slight upgrade from projections in the Asian Development Outlook 2017. However, growth forecast for South Asia is downgraded to 6.7% in 2017. India’s growth remains strong and most South Asian countries are expected to meet or exceed growth forecasts from April. Exceptions are Sri Lanka, where agriculture was affected by drought and floods, and Bhutan, where geological problems have constrained construction on two large hydropower projects. Growth in Nepal surged in 2017 on earthquake recovery but is slowing as agriculture struggles, following severe flooding in August 2017. Inflation forecast in South Asia is lowered to 4.2% for 2017 and 4.7% for 2018. Favorable global commodity prices, good harvests, and prudent macroeconomics are expected.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2017

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Tags: Asia, Development, Sustainability, Public Private Partnerships, South Asia, India, Sri Lanka, Agriculture, Bhutan, Hydropower, Energy, Nepal

Based on World Development Indicators 2017 and its online database, the Little Green Data Book 2017 looks at development and the environment through more than 50 indicators for all countries around the world. This edition features indicators on capture fisheries, aquaculture production, and marine-related areas, focusing on the economic importance of fisheries for sustainable development.

Author: World Bank

Year: 2017

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Tags: Environment, WB, Development, Sustainability

This report compiles statistics on global development, with this years’ database including more indicators covering the Sustainable Development Goals and more data disaggregated by sex, age, wealth quintile, and urban or rural location. The online database (http://data.worldbank.org) now includes more than 1,400 indicators for more than 220 economies (including those from South Asia), with some data series extending back more than 50 years.

Author: World Bank

Year: 2017

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Tags: WB, Development, Sustainable Development Goals, South Asia

Digital trade has driven economic development by improving productivity and lowering the costs of trade in goods. The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is the first trade agreement to recognize the importance of digital trade and e-commerce, introducing new provisions that go beyond existing agreements. This paper asks why Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Viet Nam agreed to follow a similar set of policies for digital trade.

Author: Debora Elms and Minh Hue Nguyen

Year: 2017

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Tags: Trade, Asia-Pacific

This paper reviews the legal framework needed to implement an international single window environment (ISWE). It shows how ISWE helps create a level playing field for small and medium-sized enterprises in global supply chains. It also looks at prospects and challenges through its examination of the ASEAN Single Window (ASW) and argues that the potential of ISWE can be realized through the integration of transport and commercial requirements.

Author: Abhinayan Basu Bal, Trisha Rajput, and Parviz Alizada

Year: 2017

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Tags: Single Window, Environment, Small and Medium Enterprise, ASEAN, Transport

Asia’s power sector struggles to upgrade power systems and keep up with growing demand. The Internet of Things (IoT) has the potential to transform the power sector by optimizing operations and lowering costs for consumers. The power sector is already reaping the benefits of adoption of smart meters and smart thermostats, two consumer-oriented IoT applications. The Asian Development Bank has committed to smart grid projects in India, through a Green Energy Corridor and Grid Strengthening Project, and Maldives, through the Preparing Outer Islands for Sustainable Energy Development (Phase 1).

Author: Arun Ramamurthy and Pramod Jain

Year: 2017

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Tags: Energy, ADB, India, Maldives, Sustainability

A free trade agreement (FTA) does not aim to balance trade, but to work out a win-win situation for both producers and consumers in the FTA member countries. This policy brief By Dr. Saman Kelegama, released by the Asia-Pacific Research and Training Network on Trade, looks at how Sri Lanka has benefited from a surplus in trade under the India-Sri Lanka FTA in six of the 17 years since the FTA came into force.

Author: Saman Kelegama

Year: 2017

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Tags: India, Sri Lanka, Free Trade Agreements, Trade

Aid for Trade (AfT) is essential to promoting growth and tradability of services, and is a major catalyst for inclusive economic and structural information. This report looks at how trade performance in Asia and the Pacific is evolving, and highlights emerging trends in AfT. The report looks at cooperation projects in the energy sector, and shows how South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) projects fund cross-border electricity transmission, power trade, energy efficiency, capacity building, and renewable sources of energy. The report also examines the impact of AfT on trade in services and the rise of e-commerce.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2017

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Tags: Trade, Energy, SASEC, Aid for Trade, ADB

Economic growth over the last 25 years has been accompanied by unprecedented economic change. Over the past two decades, many countries have experienced significant transformations in the sectoral and occupational structure of employment. This report examines how technology and trade affect employment and wages and analyzes the challenges for workers and firms in adjusting to changes in labor markets. It looks at how governments could increase the positive impact of open trade and technological trade in South Asia and around the world.

Author: World Trade Organization

Year: 2017

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Tags: Trade, ICT, Employment, Global Value Chains, South Asia

This report synthesizes the business process analysis conducted on import of light motor vehicles from third countries to Bhutan via Kolkata Port, import of plastic kitchenware and tableware (melamine products) from Bangladesh to Bhutan, export of ferrosilicon from Bhutan to third countries through Kolkata Port, and export of cardamom from Bhutan to Bangladesh. It also measures the performance of trade corridors and border crossings in Bhutan, to quantify current trade and transport facilitation and provide recommendations. Findings of the study reveal bottlenecks to trade, including numerous procedures needed to complete import/export, and low speed along the trade corridors. The report includes specific short-term and long-term policies to improve Bhutan’s trade and transport facilitation.

Author: Asian Development Bank and United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Year: 2017

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Tags: Bhutan, Trade Facilitation, Bangladesh, ADB, Transport, ADB RCI

This report investigates the evolution of trade costs, examines trade facilitation and paperless trade implementation, and highlights key initiatives in South Asia, including efforts by members of the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC). The SASEC Trade Facilitation and Transport Working Group agreed to expand assistance to trade facilitation through technical assistance to support more efficient, transparent, secure, and service-oriented processing of cross-border trade across South Asia. Through 2025, the SASEC connectivity agenda will be better aligned with the frameworks of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation and the Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation. To help establish a trade and transport facilitation monitoring mechanism, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal conducted studies that reviewed trade and transport procedures, analyzed bottlenecks, and gave recommendations on trade and transport facilitation.

Author: Asian Development Bank and United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Year: 2017

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Tags: ADB, Bangladesh, Bhutan, BIMSTEC, Maldives, Nepal, SAARC, India, Myanmar, SASEC, South Asia, Sri Lanka, Trade Facilitation, Transport, UNESCAP, ADB RCI

This report gives an overview of assessments from the 2017 global survey on trade facilitation and paperless trade in Asia and the Pacific. It looks at the implementation of trade facilitation and paperless trade measures in 44 countries in Asia and the Pacific, including how the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Trade Facilitation Strategic Framework promotes development by deepening regional cooperation. The Framework covers national and subregional projects in Customs harmonization, improving cross-border facilities, and transport facilitation. The Framework also supports regulatory reforms and the development of the National Single Window Customs management system in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, and Nepal.

Author: Asian Development Bank and United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Year: 2017

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Tags: ADB, Bangladesh, Bhutan, BIMSTEC, Maldives, Nepal, Regional Cooperation, Regional Integration, SAARC, SASEC, Standards Harmonization, Trade Facilitation, Trade Facilitation Agreement, WTO, UNESCAP, ADB RCI

Myanmar only recently began participating in global trade and investment. It has large untapped potential for trade and investment in agriculture and forest-based industries, and services, such as tourism and information technology. This book examines Myanmar’s access to the global market and examines the implication of Myanmar’s democratic transition, the progress of Myanmar’s industry and infrastructure, its international linkages, and options for increased integration in regional economic groups. The book also analyzes how Myanmar could exploit global value chains.

Author: Prabir De and Ajitava Raychaudhuri, editors

Year: 2017

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Tags: Agriculture, Global Value Chains, Infrastructure, Investment, ICT, Myanmar, Regional Integration, Trade

In 2015, 150 countries set in motion the most ambitious development agenda of our time, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Asian countries have begun translating this agenda into action through national plans and programs. However, to fully achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, countries need to examine opportunities for regional cooperation to complement the effectiveness of national mechanisms in the areas of finance, technology, capacity-building, and trade. Discussion through regional and subregional organizations can help facilitate cooperation in these key areas.

Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Year: 2017

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Tags: Regional Cooperation, SAARC, Sustainable Development Goals, Trade, UNESCAP

Myanmar strategic position connects Asia’s three big markets—Association of Southeast Asian Nations, China, and India. Since 2011, Myanmar has laid down economic reforms that are unlocking the country’s potential. This working paper discusses Myanmar’s participation in regional partnerships, such as the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation, which it joined in 2017. It argues that such partnerships are essential in building Myanmar’s infrastructure and speeding up its growth.

Author: Prabir De

Year: 2017

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Tags: ADB, ASEAN, India, Myanmar, Regional Cooperation, Regional Integration, SASEC, UNESCAP

The connection between trade and internet governance presents complex policy challenges in today’s digital economy. This working paper highlights several observations and findings on the complex relationship between international trade and the internet. It recognizes the fact that the internet is not only driven by economic factors, but is a complex phenomenon shaped by political and social engagement, technical efficiency, and cultural and moral considerations. It sees the importance of synergizing international trade and the internet, and recommends that the World Trade Organization and other trade institutions develop mechanisms to consult internet governance institutions such as the Internet Engineering Task Force, World Web Wide Consortium, Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, International Telecommunications Union, Internet Society, and the Internet Governance Forum.

Author: Neha Mishra

Year: 2017

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Tags: ICT, Trade Facilitation, UNESCAP, WTO

This special edition of Together We Deliver tells 50 stories that highlight the importance of good partnerships in Asia and the Pacific in meeting complex development challenges. In South Asia, ADB has supported infrastructure development and social programs, helping lift people out of poverty in a diverse, rapidly urbanizing subregion. The South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Roads Improvement Project, for instance, is set to widen 160 kilometers of Nepal’s East–West Highway, which connects Nepal to India. The improved roads will provide faster and better access to social services and economic opportunities, and will facilitate national and regional integration.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2017

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Tags: ADB, Economic Corridor Development, India, Nepal, Regional Integration, Roads, SASEC, South Asia, Transport

This report presents insights drawn from emerging innovative business and delivery models so that governments, donors, the private sector, civil society organizations, and practitioners could develop interventions to close the electricity access gap. It shows that urgent measures are needed to speed up access to modern energy services in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia and that responses will have to be supported by a conducive environment of the right institutions, policies, strategic planning, and incentives.

Author: World Bank

Year: 2017

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Tags: Energy, South Asia, Sustainable Development Goals

World Tariff Profiles is a joint publication of the World Trade Organization (WTO), International Trade Centre, and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development devoted to information on market access for goods. It contains comprehensive data on tariffs and non-tariff measures imposed by over 170 countries and Customs territories. This year’s edition takes a close look at export diversification, analyzing to what extent economies have diversified their exports over time. Many countries make it a policy to diversify exports to obtain bigger market shares. An overview of export diversification shows how India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Bhutan have grown in the last two decades. Bangladesh in particular has achieved significant increase in terms of both product coverage and market reach.

Author: World Trade Organization, International Trade Centre, and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

Year: 2017

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Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Export, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Tariffs, Trade, UNCTAD, WTO

This Asian Development Bank (ADB) Fact Sheet provides social and economic indicators on Bangladesh, as well as concise information on ADB's operations in Bangladesh and contact information. ADB supports Bangladesh’s efforts to generate inclusive and sustainable growth, and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. ADB has provided Bangladesh with $18.3 billion for 269 loans, $252.4 million for 422 technical assistance projects, and $787.10 million for 35 grants. ADB supports projects contributing to regional connectivity to foster development along economic corridors and co-finances the SASEC Railway Connectivity: Akhaura-Laksam Double Track Project.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2017

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Tags: ADB, Bangladesh, Economic Cooperation, Energy, Sustainable Development Goals, Sustainability, SASEC

This report highlights the milestones in the Bangladesh-Asian Development Bank (ADB) partnership since 1973, including projects in transport and energy that have shown sustained development results. Development contributions from ADB-assisted projects in Bangladesh include the Second South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Program (SASEC) Bangladesh-India Electrical Grid Interconnection Project that will help double electricity imports from India from the current 500 megawatts; the $505 million SASEC Railway Connectivity, Akhaura Laksam Double-Track Project, which will help railways meet passenger and freight demand; the SASEC Road Connectivity Project, which is upgrading a 70 km stretch along a corridor connecting the northwest to Dhaka to support domestic and subregional trade; and the SASEC Trade Facilitation Program, which aims to reduce non-tariff barriers by adopting international Customs administration protocols, upgrade existing Customs management systems, and establish a web-based electronic trade portal.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2017

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Tags: SASEC, ADB, Bangladesh, India, Railway, Energy, Transport

Asia-Pacific Research and Training Network on Trade (ARTNeT) is an open regional network composed of leading trade research institutions and think tanks across the Asia-Pacific region. The 2017 July issue of its newsletter features the benefits Sri Lanka could reap from its free trade agreement with India and the shaping of the digital trade agenda.

Author: Asia-Pacific Research and Training Network on Trade

Year: 2017

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Tags: Asia-Pacific, Free Trade Agreements, ICT, India, Sri Lanka, Trade Facilitation, UNESCAP

The ESCAP Newsletter is a monthly recap of the key events, publications and other activities of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP). It highlights the key issues that the UNESCAP works on and how the organization works to support member states in reaching the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This issue highlights the 73rd Commission Session of Asia-Pacific leaders on "Regional Cooperation for Sustainable Energy," which culminated with the adoption of resolutions advancing transport connectivity and sustainable energy development.

Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Year: 2017

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Tags: Energy, Regional Cooperation, UNESCAP, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Development Goals

South Asia needs to address development gaps in terms of transport infrastructure, energy, and basic services. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), if pursued decisively, could transform South Asia by bridging these gaps and addressing economic, social and environmental challenges in the region. This report offers tangible means to mainstream the SDGs through national development plans and programs. It outlines seven key policies that could create conditions for sustainable prosperity through regional cooperation and other strategies and demonstrates how a sustainable industrialization strategy could generate 56 million new jobs in South Asia by 2030.

Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Year: 2017

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Tags: Energy, Regional Cooperation, UNESCAP, Sustainable Development Goals, Sustainable Development Goals

The South Asian Regional Standards Organization (SARSO) newsletter features updates on SARSO events and activities. This issue features the publication of three South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation standards on food quality and safety, and the workshop on the importance of ISO 14001—which aims to help organizations improve environmental performance through the efficient use of resources and reduction of waste—and its impact on the environment and trade. It also has reports on Workshop on Conformity Standards held in New Delhi, India, and the Enhancing Capacity for Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures for Safe Trade in Animal and Animal Products in South Asia held in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Author: South Asian Regional Standards Organization

Year: 2017

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Tags: Agriculture, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, SAARC, SARSO, South Asia, Standardization, Trade

With export demand stronger than expected in the first quarter of 2017, Asia’s GDP is expected to expand faster than forecast in April in Asian Development Outlook 2017. Developing Asia is now expected to grow by 5.9% in 2017. The smaller upgrade in the 2018 growth forecast—5.7% in ADO 2017 to 5.8%—reflects a cautious view on the pace of the turnaround in external demand. Excluding the newly industrialized economies, growth projections for the region are revised up to 6.4% for 2017 and to 6.3% for 2018. India is expected to achieve April forecasts of 7.4% growth in 2017 and 7.6% in 2018, primarily from strong consumption. Growth projections for South Asia are likewise maintained as prospects remain robust.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2017

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Tags: ADB, Development, Export, Bangladesh, India, South Asia