Working Papers
Recent Submissions
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Improving transport connectivity in the BBIN Subregion with specific focus on the Northeastern Region (NER) of India
(ESCAP SSWA, 2024-01-15)Despite their geographical proximity, shared history, and socio-economic linkages, the BBIN subregion – constitution by Bangladesh, Bhutan. India and Nepal – suffers from connectivity barriers that hinders ...
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Improving energy connectivity in the BBIN subregion with specific focus on the Northeastern Region (NER) of India
(ESCAP SSWA, 2024-02-10)The volume of cross border electricity trade (CBET) is currently far less than its potential in the BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal) subregion. Given their rich renewable energy resource endowments and market ...
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Potential of trade opportunities between Bangladesh and North-Eastern Region (NER) of India, and Benefits for Bhutan and Nepal
(ESCAP SSWA, 2024-03-12)This paper is prepared as a follow-up to an ESCAP-led multi-agency mission to Bangladesh-India border areas in July 2023 to identify bottlenecks at borders and technical assistance requirements to enable seamless flow ...
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TIMOR-LESTE : structural transformation and economic diversification towards a sustainable graduation from LDC category
(UN.ESCAP, 2023-11)Although Timor-Leste met the least LDC graduation criteria of GNI per-capita and the human assets index during the 2018 and 2021 triennial reviews and was found eligible for graduation, it was recommended that graduation ...
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Applying the growth identification and facilitation framework to Nepal : 2023 update
(UN.ESCAP, 2023-11)This paper analyzes opportunities for growth in Nepal by applying the policy tool of New Structural Economics – Growth Identification and Facilitation Framework (GIFF). Drawing on firm level surveys, stakeholder ...
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Applying the growth identification and facilitation framework to the Small Island Developing States : the case of Timor-Leste
(UN.ESCAP, 2023-11)Small Island Developing States (SIDs) face unique obstacles in economic growth due to geographic isolation, limited domestic market demand and insufficient infrastructure. By applying the Growth Identification and ...
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Applying the growth identification and facilitation framework to the small island Developing States : the case of Solomon Islands
(UN.ESCAP, 2023-11)This report employs the Global Identification and Facilitation Framework to the Solomon Islands, aiming to reveal latent comparative advantages and propose targeted national policies. By analyzing the factor endowments, ... -
Fostering structural transformation in Nepal
(UN.ESCAP, 2023-11)Sustained and high economic growth has eluded Nepal. While the economy has undergone structural transformation in the last three decades the growth-enhancing effect of this structural change has had limited impacts ...
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An exploration of paperless trade implementation in UN and other international conventions involving cross-border exchange of trade-related data and documents
(United Nations, 2024-02-20)With a view to informing the implementation of the Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific (CPTA), this paper reviews 14 international conventions of global scope ...
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Sustainability in the supply chain : analysing the efficiency and effectiveness of the single submission of freight transport application through the Indonesia National Single Window system
(UN.ESCAP, 2024-02-19)Innovation in information communication technology (ICT), particularly in trade facilitation activities, is one of the goals targeted in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The use of user-friendly technology is ...
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Does Internet expansion matter for export concentration?
(UN.ESCAP, 2024-02-19)Why do export sales increasingly concentrate among a few “superstars”? This paper is the first to argue that the expansion of the Internet matters for this phenomenon. Using firm-level customs transaction ...
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Harnessing digital trade to advance the sustainable development goals : an empirical study
(UN.ESCAP, 2024-02-19)Trade’s profound digital transformation has spurred a new era of digital trade. However, little is known about the impact of digital trade and related policies on sustainable development. To investigate this, our ...
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Assessing multidimensional food system risks in Asia and the Pacific : INsights on Food SystEm Risks – INFER
(UN.ESCAP, 2024)This working paper introduces INFER (INsights on Food SystEm Risks), a risk assessment framework that provides insights into multidimensional risks to three food system outcomes: human health and nutrition; ecosystem ...
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Trade digitalization index : a new tool for assessing the global state of play in the digitalization of trade procedures
(UN.ESCAP, 2024-01)This paper introduces the Trade Digitalization Index (TDI) for assessing global progress in digitalizing trade procedures, a new metric based on data from the UN Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation. ...
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A sustainable energy-Led recovery from COVID-19 in the Asia-Pacific Region
(UN.ESCAP, 2023-12-01)The purpose of this study is to examine how directing spending towards the sustainable energy sector can help achieve the sustainable energy targets under SDG 7, while at the same time reviving economies and creating ...
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Navigating new waters : addressing Asia-Pacific's water challenges and trade-offs in a changing climate
(UN.ESCAP, 2023-12)The Asia-Pacific region, home to over 60% of the world's population (ESCAP, 2019), boasts diverse ecosystems and landscapes and myriad socio-economic and cultural contexts. Its water resources – vital for household ...
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E-commerce and India’s retail and manufacturing sectors – some lessons for ensuring sustainable development
(UN.ESCAP, 2024-02-13)The sudden surge in the e-commerce sector has sparked concerns in several economies in the world, particularly in India. The country’s traders’ associations ...
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Digital trade and wealth inequality : evidence from Asia Pacific region
(UN.ESCAP, 2024-02-13)This paper examines the impact of digital trade on wealth inequality for 40 developed and developing member countries of the UNESCAP Asia Pacific region, for the period ...
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How online courts effectively supplement digital trade and contribute to sustainable development goals: insights from a case study of China
(UN.ESCAP, 2024-02-13)The increasing volume of digital trades inevitably generates more disputes. An efficient online dispute resolution mechanism is an important digital trade promotion policy ...
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Net neutrality exceptionality : a look into the Pacific Alliance countries during the COVID-19 pandemic and lessons for Asia Pacific economics
(UN.ESCAP, 2024-02-13)The growing relevance that the Internet has taken on the development of people, businesses, and the digital economy, as well as its influence in achieving the United Nations ...