Trade Facilitation and Regional Cooperation in Asia

by Douglas H. Brooks (Editor), Susan F. Stone (Editor)

Overview

This insightful book collects empirical analyses and case studies to clarify issues and draw policy recommendations for facilitating greater regional trade through increased cooperation.

Asia s rapid development has been heavily dependent on markets external to the region. However, given the unlikely timely recovery of the United States or Europe there is an urgent need to develop domestic and regional markets. While greater integration has long been a regional goal, its importance has never been more pressing. To facilitate trade and promote growth and regional integration, and to counteract declining markets in other regions, Asian countries have announced large expenditures for developing infrastructure. Thus, a look at how investment in regional infrastructure promotes and supports interregional trade growth has never been timelier. While the focus is on informing policy-making in Asia, the findings also have relevance for other regions.

The detailed studies in this book will be of particular interest to academic economists, policy-makers, and the broader development community.

Contributors: N. Banik, D.H. Brooks, J. Gilbert, L. Shantong, S. Stone, A. Strutt, T.S. Yean, H. Wang

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781848449862
Publisher:	Edward Elgar Publishing
Publication date:	08/30/2010
Series:	ADBI series on Asian Economic Integration and Cooperation
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.30(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Edited by Douglas H. Brooks, Australian APEC Study Centre, RMIT University, Australia and Susan F. Stone, Senior Policy Analyst, Trade and Agriculture Directorate, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, France

Table of Contents

Contents:

1. Regional Cooperation, Infrastructure and Trade Costs in Asia
Douglas H. Brooks

2. ASEAN Open Skies and the Implications for Airport Development Strategy in Malaysia
Tham Siew Yean

3. Transforming Trade Competition into Coordination with the People’s Republic of China
Li Shantong and Wang Huijiong

4. Regional Integration and Trade Costs in South Asia
Nilanjan Banik and John Gilbert

5. Transport Infrastructure and Trade Facilitation in the Greater Mekong Subregion
Susan Stone and Anna Strutt

Index

Editorial Reviews

'The first chapter provides an excellent introductory overview of the issues at hand and why they are of critical importance for businesses and policymakers in the region. . . this book is well-researched and balanced in terms of policy analysis and analytical rigor. This makes it a very valuable resource for academics, businesses, policymakers, and students who are interested in further study and research on the issues related to improving trade facilitation and its impact on regional economic integration in Asia. . . the editors and authors deserve to be congratulated on their efforts at bringing out this highly interesting and well-researched volume. This book serves its purpose as a regional study of this important issue.'
—Rahul Sen, The Developing Economies

'This book is an important contribution to the policy debate on the future of regional integration around the world, and in Asia in particular. The complex linkages between regional integration and regional cooperation, soft and hard integration, trade facilitation and regional infrastructure are all addressed competently in different chapters of this publication, which should be read by all of those concerned with the future of regional integration and cooperation in Asia.'
—Antoni Estevadeordal, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)

'As we emerge from the worst global economic setback in two generations, the momentum of Asian economies suggests that this region will redefine the geography of trade and growth even more quickly and decisively than expected. Because Asia offers the largest emerging markets, superior growth rates, and new patterns of trade diversification, this region is becoming the leading edge of the global economy for the next generation. This volume addresses the essential issues related to Asian trade and regionalism with intellectual authority and essential timeliness. Brooks and Stone have assembled leading experts, distilled evidence, and synthesized policy lessons on the salient issues and trends that will drive the world s most dynamic economic region. Their book should be a desk reference for policy-makers and leading private sector players who want to respond effectively to the momentous challenges and opportunities presented by the Asian century.'
—David Roland-Holst, University of California, Berkeley, US

From the Publisher

‘This book is useful. . . those who seek a deeper understanding of Asian regional integration would do well to peruse this book.’

Ellen L. Frost

‘The first chapter provides an excellent introductory overview of the issues at hand and why they are of critical importance for businesses and policymakers in the region. . . this book is well-researched and balanced in terms of policy analysis and analytical rigor. This makes it a very valuable resource for academics, businesses, policymakers, and students who are interested in further study and research on the issues related to improving trade facilitation and its impact on regional economic integration in Asia. . . the editors and authors deserve to be congratulated on their efforts at bringing out this highly interesting and well-researched volume. This book serves its purpose as a regional study of this important issue. . .’

Rahul Sen

‘This book is an important contribution to the policy debate on the future of regional integration around the world, and in Asia in particular. The complex linkages between regional integration and regional cooperation, “soft” and “hard” integration, trade facilitation and regional infrastructure are all addressed competently in different chapters of this publication, which should be read by all of those concerned with the future of regional integration and cooperation in Asia.’

Antoni Estevadeordal

‘As we emerge from the worst global economic setback in two generations, the momentum of Asian economies suggests that this region will redefine the geography of trade and growth even more quickly and decisively than expected. Because Asia offers the largest emerging markets, superior growth rates, and new patterns of trade diversification, this region is becoming the leading edge of the global economy for the next generation. This volume addresses the essential issues related to Asian trade and regionalism with intellectual authority and essential timeliness. Brooks and Stone have assembled leading experts, distilled evidence, and synthesized policy lessons on the salient issues and trends that will drive the world’s most dynamic economic region. Their book should be a desk reference for policy-makers and leading private sector players who want to respond effectively to the momentous challenges and opportunities presented by the Asian century.’

David Roland-Holst