Regional: Support for Forward-Looking Trade Facilitation Measures in Asia and the Pacific

Sovereign Project | 54384-001

The knowledge and support technical assistance (TA) will support trade facilitation implementation in developing member countries (DMCs) and in the Asian Development Bank (ADB) through research and development, capacity building, and collaboration with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) for the conduct of the Asia-Pacific Trade Facilitation Forum (APTFF). This will synergize the efforts of regional departments and the private sector to improve and facilitate cross-border trade.

Project Details

  • Project Officer
    Kim, Kijin
    Economic Research and Regional Cooperation Department
    Request for information
  • Country
    Regional
  • Sector
    • Industry and trade
Project Name Support for Forward-Looking Trade Facilitation Measures in Asia and the Pacific
Project Number 54384-001
Country Regional
Project Status Active
Project Type / Modality of Assistance Technical Assistance
Source of Funding / Amount
TA 6668-REG: Support for Forward-Looking Trade Facilitation in Asia and the Pacific
Technical Assistance Special Fund US$ 750,000.00
Strategic Agendas Inclusive economic growth
Regional integration
Drivers of Change Gender Equity and Mainstreaming
Governance and capacity development
Knowledge solutions
Partnerships
Private sector development
Sector / Subsector

Industry and trade / Trade and services

Public sector management / Public administration
Gender Equity and Mainstreaming Some gender elements
Description The knowledge and support technical assistance (TA) will support trade facilitation implementation in developing member countries (DMCs) and in the Asian Development Bank (ADB) through research and development, capacity building, and collaboration with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) for the conduct of the Asia-Pacific Trade Facilitation Forum (APTFF). This will synergize the efforts of regional departments and the private sector to improve and facilitate cross-border trade.
Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy It is well documented that trade facilitation measures help raise efficiency and transparency, lowering trade costs and boosting trade flows. Full implementation of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement can reduce trade costs by 9% on average, or up to 16% if digital trade facilitation measures are implemented. While economies in Asia and the Pacific are steadily implementing trade facilitation measures, much remains to be done. Overall trade facilitation implementation in the region increased from 49% in 2017 to about 60% in 2019. But implementation rates vary across subregions and across measures. The COVID-19 pandemic is also having a major impact on trade and is exposing vulnerabilities in the world trading system. Digital transformation in trade and trade facilitation will likely accelerate in the aftermath of the pandemic. As trade facilitation is one of the main strategic and operational priorities in ADB's subregional programs, these priorities can be further supported when post-COVID-19 policy implications for trade facilitation are taken into consideration. The transition to the _new normal_ will require a knowledge base for forward-looking trade facilitation policy making as well as enhanced capacity building for stakeholders, including customs and trade officials. DMCs will benefit from building more resilient supply chains with adequate digital infrastructure and regulatory systems to implement digital trade facilitation. It is also important to promote greater access to trade finance for MSMEs disproportionately impacted by economic fallout. Countries should focus on building capacity for better coordination and cooperation among all stakeholders.
Impact

Opportunities for trade and trade facilitation agenda advanced.

Economic opportunities for SMEs, especially those managed by women entrepreneurs, increased.
Project Outcome
Description of Outcome Design and implementation of DMC trade facilitation measures, especially in paperless trade, improved.
Progress Toward Outcome
Implementation Progress
Description of Project Outputs

Best practices and benefits of trade facilitation and trade finance advocated and disseminated.

Capacities of trade agencies to initiate digital trade and trade facilitation measures enhanced.

Research and assessment on developments in trade facilitation promoted and disseminated
Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues)
Geographical Location Regional
Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects
Environmental Aspects
Involuntary Resettlement
Indigenous Peoples
Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation
During Project Design
During Project Implementation
Business Opportunities
Consulting Services ADB will engage the consultants following the ADB Procurement Policy (2017, as amended from time to time) and its associated project administration instructions and/or staff instructions
Procurement No procurement component in the TA.
Responsible ADB Officer Kim, Kijin
Responsible ADB Department Economic Research and Regional Cooperation Department
Responsible ADB Division ERCI
Executing Agencies
Asian Development Bank
6 ADB Avenue,
Mandaluyong City 1550, Philippines
Timetable
Concept Clearance 14 Oct 2020
Fact Finding -
MRM -
Approval 14 Dec 2020
Last Review Mission -
Last PDS Update 14 Dec 2020

TA 6668-REG

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
14 Dec 2020 - 14 Dec 2020 30 Nov 2023 - -
Financing Plan/TA Utilization Cumulative Disbursements
ADB Cofinancing Counterpart Total Date Amount
Gov Beneficiaries Project Sponsor Others
750,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 750,000.00 29 Sep 2021 8,430.62

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Safeguard documents provided at the time of project/facility approval may also be found in the list of linked documents provided with the Report and Recommendation of the President.

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Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation

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Tenders

Tender Title Type Status Posting Date Deadline
Research Associate Individual - Consulting Closed 08 Oct 2021 14 Oct 2021
Senior Research Associate Individual - Consulting Closed 08 Oct 2021 14 Oct 2021
Research Analyst Individual - Consulting Closed 24 Jan 2021 30 Jan 2021

Contracts Awarded

No contracts awarded for this project were found

Procurement Plan

None currently available.