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Welcome to E-TISNET Monthly Information
Sources to offer you information on the latest trade and investment publications as well as relevant worldwide websites from the
Asia-Pacific region.
E-TISNET Monthly Information Sources
is the new electronic and user-friendly
version of the same section of the former
TISNET Trade and Investment Information
Bulletin. This issue can be also accessed
from UNESCAP's web page, at http://www.unescap.org/tid/latestnews.asp
Past issues are available from http://www.unescap.org/tid/tisnet/tis_bul.asp
For enquiries, please contact us at escap-tisnet@un.org
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A. TRADE AND INVESTMENT PUBLICATIONS
Development and Globalization: Facts
and Figures. 2004. UNCTAD.
A statistical reference book that addresses
the main themes of UNCTAD XI. The book contains
key development-related data on the world
economy from the 1960s to the present. It
presents statistics reflecting the impact
of globalization on the economies of the
developing world. It covers subjects tackled
by UNCTAD such as trade, investment, external
finance, commodities and manufactures, together
with relevant facts about population.
Accessed on 18 June 2004 from <http://globsta.unctad.org/html/index.html>
Do Foreign Investors Care About
Labor Market Regulations? World
Bank Policy Research Working Paper 3275.
April 2004. 25p. World Bank.
This paper shows that greater flexibility
in a host country's labor market relative
to that in the investor's home country is
associated with larger FDI inflows. This
effect was found to be more pronounced in
transition economies. As labor market flexibility
in a host country increases from being fairly
inflexible (e.g. Slovakia) to becoming more
flexible (e.g.Hungary), the volume of investment
increases by between 14 and 18 per cent.
According to the pages, FDI in services
appears to be more affected than investments
in manufacturing by labor market flexibility.
Accessed on 21 June 2004 from <http://econ.worldbank.org/files/34841_wps3275.pdf>
ITC Contractual Join Venture
Model Agreements. July 2004.
107p. Price: US$50.00. ITC.
This publication introduces a universal
sample contract that can be used in drawing
up joint venture agreements where the
parties organize their cooperation on
a contractual basis without forming a
corporate body. It illustrates two separate
model contracts, one for two parties and
another for three or more parties. For
each contract it provides a checklist
of options, fill-ins, time limits, ancillary
documents, and user's guides.
Accessed on 29 June 2004 from <http://www.bernan.com/Online_Catalog/Title_Page.aspx?TitleID=1008811>
The Least Developed Countries
Report 2004: Linking International Trade
with Poverty Reduction. UNCTAD/LDC/2004.
362p. Price: US$40.00 (Developed countries)/US$18.00
(Developing countries). Also available
on-line (PDF-5,010 Kb). UNCTAD.
The report assesses the relationship between
international trade and poverty within
the LDCs, and identifies national and
international policies that can make trade
a more effective mechanism for poverty
reduction in these countries.
Accessed on 21 June 2004 from <http://www.unctad.org/Templates/WebFlyer.asp?intItemID=3074&lang=1>
Monthly PROACT E-Newsletter.
South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and
Environment (SAWTEE).
This e-newsletter is being circulated
under the “Progressive Regional
Action and Cooperation on Trade”
project, being implemented by SAWTEE.
The project is designed to sensitise stakeholders
on globalisation and trade policy issues
confronting South Asia. Each issue contains:
Opinion in Lead, Case, Trade, Economy
and Regional News.
Accessed on 28 June 2004 from <http://www.sawtee.org/PROACT_E-newsletter_May_04.html>
OECD Agricultural Outlook: 2004-2013.
(10th edition). 180p. Price: €40.00/US$50.00.
OECD.
OECD Agricultural Outlook provides a medium
term assessment of future trends and prospects
in the major agricultural commodity markets
of OECD countries. The outlook is set
against the background of a world economy
that is on the path to economic recovery,
and where OECD agricultural policy is
being influenced by changes taking place
in the European Union with the 2003 reform
of the CAP and its enlargement, as well
as the multi-year provisions of the US
Farm Act of 2002. The outlook for agricultural
markets is for a gradual strengthening
in market conditions for all commodities
over the period to 2013.
Accessed on 28 June 2004 from <http://www.oecd.org/document/23/0,2340,en_2649_201185_32034775_119690_1_1_1,00.html>
Selected Southern African Countries:
A Study of India’s Trade and Investment
Potential. (Occasional Paper
No. 99, January 2004). 115p. Export-Import
Bank of India.
In recent years, various arrangements
to promote economic integration and intra-regional
trade and investment flows have been undertaken
by African countries. One such arrangement
is the Southern African Development Community
(SADC). With its 14 member states and
population of around 212 million, SADC
forms a major trading block in Africa.
With a view to enhancing trade relations,
amount of imports and exports trade of
India with selected SADC countries have
been progressively increased.
Web site: <http://www.eximbankindia.com>
Trade and Environment Review
2003. UNCTAD.
The first edition of UNCTAD’s annual
review focuses on two themes that are
negotiating subjects in the current round
of trade negotiations in the WTO: the
relationship between specific trade obligations
set out in multilateral environmental
agreements and WTO rules; and the elimination
of tariff and non-tariff barriers to environmental
goods and services. The review is divided
into three sections, the first comprises
several lead articles, the second contains
commentaries on the lead articles by relevant
experts, and the third provides readers
with a short overview of recent intergovernmental,
research and technical assistance and
capacity-building activities of the UNCTAD
Secretariat on trade, environment and
development.
Accessed on 17 June 2004 from <http://www.unctad.org/trade_env>
Trade and Gender: Opportunities
and Challenges for Developing Countries.
UNCTAD/EDM/2004/2. May 2004. 502p. Price:
US$55.00 (Developed and developing countries).
Also available on-line (PDF-2,200 Kb).
UNCTAD.
In February 2003, the UN Inter-Agency
Network on Women and Gender Equality created
a task force on gender and trade which
comprises UN agencies and regional commissions,
the World Bank, WTO, OECD and the Commonwealth
Secretariat. This publication is intended
to help policy-makers reinforce the role
of trade as an instrument for truly inclusive
development, and in the process ensure
the equal rights of men and women to earn
a decent living.
Accessed on 25 June 2004 from <http://www.unctad.org/Templates/webflyer.asp?docid=4822&intItemID=1397&lang=1>
Trade Liberalisation and Poverty
in India. (PDF-Format). April
2004. UNCTAD.
The book provides information on the impact,
both static and dynamic, of trade liberalisation
and its implications for poverty in India.
Details cover: growth and poverty of the
Indian economy, India’s trade regime,
agriculture, services, industrial products,
textiles and clothing, intellectual property,
and potential for south-south trade.
Accessed on 29 June 2004 from <http://www.unctadindia.org/Trade%20poverty%20india%20report.pdf>
Trade Policy Review 1999-2002.
CD-ROM. (March 2004). Price: CHF 165.00/US$102.30/€108.90.
WTO.
This CD-ROM is a tool to locate, compare
and contrast the reviews of trade policies
and practices of the twenty-eight member
countries made by the World Trade Organization
(WTO) between 1999 and 2002. It provides
the English text of the 2001 and 2002
reports, and the French and Spanish text
of the 1999, 2000, and 2001 reports.
Accessed on 22 June 2004 from < https://secure.vtx.ch/shop/boutiques/wto_index_boutique.html>
WTO Annual Report 2004.
PDF-899 Kb. Price: CHF 50.00/US$31.00/€33.00.
WTO.
The Annual report of the WTO focuses on
the regular activities of the organization,
the details of its current structure,
staff and budget. The Annual report is
published in the first half of each year.
Accessed on 22 June 2004 from < http://www.wto.org/english/res_e/reser_e/annual_report_e.htm>
B. SELECTED WORLDWIDE WEBSITES
http://aric.adb.org/index.asp
Asia Regional Information Center (ARIC)
Email: information@adb.org
Asia Recovery Information Center became
the Asia Regional Information Center on
31 May 2004 at a launch held at Asian Development
Bank (ADB) headquarters. ARIC brings together
Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka
with the 12 developing countries of the
ASEAN+3 group, which includes: Brunei Darussalam,
Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Republic of
Korea, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines,
Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam. ARIC
has broadened its coverage of development
issues to include topics such as public
sector governance, social development and
protection, infrastructure and development,
sustainable development, and the effectiveness
of development aid, among others.
Accessed on 23 June 2004.
http://tradeinfo.asiannet.com
AsianNet Trade InfoCenter
Email: webmaster@asiannet.com; wensen@cn.asiannet
AsianNet Trade InfoCenter is a gateway
to worldwide trade information exchange.
It is a source of information providing
actual and potential traders with data
about business and market opportunities,
potential clients and suppliers.
Accessed on 25 June 2004.
http://www.unctadxi.org/templates/Press____896.aspx
ASYCUDAWorld
Email: asycuda@unctad.org
ASYCUDAWorld is making use of the Web
technology that allows Customs officers
and traders to handle most of their transactions
from Customs declarations to cargo manifests
and transit documents via Internet. A
secondary benefit of the distribution
of ASYCUDAWorld processing is its effectiveness
in combating fraud, corruption and illicit
trafficking, as a tool for Customs authorities
in different countries to work together
online. ASYCUDAWorld means even greater
tax revenue collection and lower transaction
costs, making it a showcase for e-government.
Accessed on 29 June 2004.
http://www.deltha.cec.eu.int/bic
Business Information Centre: Delegation
of the European Commission to Thailand
Email: delegation-thailand@cec.eu.int
The European Commission has set up a Business
Information Centre (BIC) within its Bangkok
Delegation to provide information services
to both local and European business communities
in Thailand. It acts as an information
point to businesses that need to follow
developments in the EU market in order
to maintain their export competitiveness.
Accessed on 4 June 2004.
http://www.unctad.org/Templates/StartPage.asp?intItemID=1917&lang=1
Commercial Diplomacy Programme (CommDip)
– UNCTAD
Email: info@unctad.org
UNCTAD created the Commercial Diplomacy
Programme in response to its Members’
requests for training and capacity building
in international, regional and national
trade negotiations. The Programme encompasses
two interlinked and mutually supportive
areas of activity:
- Training for trade negotiators of developing
countries and economies in transition,
particularly in WTO on-going negotiations,
from the development perspective;
- Support to research and training institutions
of developing countries and economies
in transition on international trade issues,
so as to enhance their own capacity.
Accessed on 29 June 2004.
http://www.invest.laopdr.org
Department of Domestic and Foreign Investment
(DDFI), Lao PDR
Email: fimc@laotel.com
Department of Domestic and Foreign Investment
(DDFI) is conceived as the “one-stop”
service to foreign investors by providing
information on the investment process
in Lao PDR. It’s primary functions
include: promoting Lao PDR as an investment
destination, screening investment proposals,
offering investment incentives and facilitating
foreign investment.
Accessed on 18 June 2004.
http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/issues/bilateral/index_en.htm
EU Trade Issue: Bilateral Trade Relations
EU is firmly committed to the promotion
of open and fair trade with all its trading
partners. In addition to the WTO's multilateral
negotiations, EU concludes bilateral agreements
and devises specific trading policies
with third countries and regional areas.
Bilateral trade relations are about agreement
on custom unions, free-trade, association,
co-operation and partnership. These preferential
trade agreements are notified under either
Article XXIV of the GATT or Article V
of the GATS.
Accessed on 24 June 2004.
http://www.ipa.gov.pg
Investment Promotion Authority (IPA),
Papua New Guinea
Email: iepd@ipa.gov.pg
Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) is
a statutory organization established in
1992 by an Act of Parliament to promote
and facilitate investment in Papua New
Guinea. It implements policies and programs
aimed at increasing total annual investments
(including FDI), greater increases in
non-mining sector investments and increasing
the level of investments financed by the
domestic sector.
Accessed on 28 June 2004.
http://www.mpi.gov.vn/default.aspx?Lang=2
Ministry of Planning and Investment, Viet
Nam
Ministry of Planning and Investment provides
comprehensive advice on the country-level
socio-economic development strategies,
programs and plans on: economic management
mechanisms and policies for the national
economy and for specific sectors, domestic
and foreign investments, industrial and
export-processing zones, management of
official development assistance sources,
national-wide control of procurement,
enterprises and business registration.
Accessed on 22 June 2004.
http://www.saarcnet.org/newsaarcnet/index.htm
SAARCNET: SAARC Business Information Network
SAARCNET is a web based information service
set up by the SAARC Chamber of Commerce
and Industry (SCCI) to strengthen business
linkages in the region.
- Country Profile - Calendar of Events
- Company/Product Finder - Business Enquiries
- Government Policies - Online Tools
Accessed on 22 June 2004.
http://www.customs.gov.sg
Singapore Customs (SC)
Email: customs documentation@customs.gov.sg
Singapore Customs (SC) is a government
agency under the Ministry of Finance to
develop and maintain an efficient and
facilitative framework that meets revenue
and trade objectives. It handles the operations
of the trade documentation system, including
processing of permits, collection and
accounting of government revenue, and
provides advice on the valuation of goods.
It also advises on classification of goods,
determines Rules of Origin for preferential
treatment as well as the completeness
and accuracy of trade statistics, including
administration of the TradeNet System.
Accessed on 22 June 2004.
http://www.unctad.org/Templates/Page.asp?intItemID=1528&lang=1
UNCTAD Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs)
Email: iia@unctad.org
Over 1,800 Bilateral Investment Treaties
are available on-line. BITs are one of
the policy tools used by countries in
their efforts to attract foreign direct
investment (FDI). By signing these treaties,
signatory countries send a signal of their
commitment to providing a favourable investment
climate. On the occasion of UNCTAD XI,
eight bilateral agreements were signed
at the ministerial level by 10 countries.
Accessed on 24 June 2004.
Information is taken mainly from secondary
sources and UNESCAP accepts no responsibility
for its accuracy. Mention of any companies
and their products does not imply endorsement
by the United Nations.
The designations
employed and the presentation of the material
in this publication do not imply the expression
of any opinion whatsoever on the part of
the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning
the legal status of any country, territory,
city or area, or of its authorities, or
concerning the delimitation of its frontiers
or boundaries.
©2004 United Nations
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ISSUE
7/2004