Are you a regional trade policymaker or do you contribute to policymaking? If so, ARTNeT would like your views. A core mission of ARTNeT is to get relevant research on trade into the hands of policymakers. Help us understand how you use trade research findings in your work and what could be done to make research more accessible. Please complete this short survey.

In the post-crisis world, new drivers of growth are required to deliver further reductions in poverty. This new ARTNeT book examines the role of trade facilitation measures in lowering barriers to trade and raising incomes. In addition to a review of relevant literature and theoretical findings, empirical case studies are presented from across the region including: Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Thailand, and China.    

Structural transformation, economic diversification and logistics are some of the issues explored in this new ARTNeT book. The volume's essays use various methodologies to provide new perspectives on the region's growth and prospects. Individual chapter's focus on: trade policy in Nepal; logistics in Bangladesh and Thailand; Sri Lankan exports; and SMEs in Cambodia. 

The high-level conference of trade economists marking ARTNeT’s 10th anniversary is due to take place at the United Nations Conference Center in Bangkok on 22-23rd September. The overall theme of the conference is “Trade in the Asian century - delivering on the promise of economic prosperity”. ARTNeT's sister networks ERIA and ALADI, and institutional members CUTS and SUIBE, are organizing sessions. One panel will debate whether university teaching of trade is keeping up with shifts in trade policy. Registration to participate is now open.

ARTNeT is proud to announce a free Introductory Course on Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) Modelling for Trade Policy Analysis that will take place on 24-26 September 2014 in Bangkok, Thailand. This is a great opportunity for policymakers and trade experts to get acquainted with the methods and applications to quantify and analyse impact of various trade policies on the economy. There is no cost for participation but attendess will be expected to cover travel and accomodation themselves. The programme has been designed and will be delivered by ARTNeT advisor on modelling Prof John Gilbert, Jon M. Huntsman Business School, Utah State University.

SMEs are crucial for growth and employment but often find it hard to enter international production networks (IPNs). This Working Paper discusses the key factors affecting SME participation in direct export and IPNs. Modern Information Technology and international quality certification are of utmost importance for participation of SMEs in international production networks, whilst access to external financing is essential for the sustainability of fledgling enterprises.

Manufacturing will be critical in Myanmar’s growth prospects. This Working Paper discusses how recent reforms in Myanmar have affected the manufacturing sector and presents the results of a country-wide business survey, with over 1,000 businesses participating. The survey presents findings about the major obstacles for the development of the sector such as corruption, lack of technological capacity and limited access to land and office space as well as discusses strategies to increase investment flows both domestically and internationally.

How does dividend policy and corporate governance affect the manufacturing sector of Pakistan? Pakistan Institute of Development Economics discusses in its latest Working Paper how good governance in the manufacturing sector can be achieved, using evidence from corporate governance practices from over 100 manufacturing firms listed on Karachi Stock Exchange.

Could BCIM Regional Cooperation revive the Southern Silk Route connecting China and India through Bangladesh and Myanmar? In its newest Working Paper, the Institute of South Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore reviews the opportunities and challenges facing the four countries and considers the implications of creating a sub-regional economic corridor that could boost a market size of over 2.8 billion people.

The Centre for WTO Studies, India, is inviting applications for a two-day conference to take place on 11-12 December, 2014, on the impact of trade policy issues on Indian agriculture. Papers are invited on a variety of issues including: farm subsidies, food security, tariff barriers, challenges of trade liberalization and export prospects for Indian agriculture. The extended abstract submission deadline is 15 September 2014