亚太贸易援助：促进经济多样化和增强能力（英文版）_119页_6mb

Summary of "Aid for Trade in Asia and the Pacific: Promoting Economic Diversification and Empowerment" (July 2019)

Core Content

This report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) focuses on the role of Aid for Trade (AfT) in promoting economic diversification and empowerment, particularly for women and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Asia and the Pacific. It emphasizes the importance of AfT in supporting trade liberalization, reducing trade costs, and enhancing the region's economic inclusivity and sustainability.

Main Viewpoints

• Trade as a Driver of Growth: International trade continues to be a major driver of economic transformation in developing Asia, lifting over a billion people out of poverty since 1990. Aid for Trade has played a key role in making economic growth more inclusive.

• AfT's Growing Role: AfT disbursements in Asia and the Pacific have grown significantly, reaching an average of $40.9 billion for 2016-2017. Developing Asia accounts for over a third of global AfT disbursements, highlighting the initiative's importance in the region.

• Economic Diversification: Services trade is growing rapidly and represents a key area for economic diversification. Services account for over half of the region's output, a quarter of its trade, and employ more women than men. AfT targeting services can promote structural transformation and inclusive growth.

• Women's Economic Empowerment: Women's participation in trade and global value chains (GVCs) is limited by gender-specific constraints. AfT with a focus on gender equality has nearly tripled since 2005, and is essential for supporting women's entrepreneurship and access to economic opportunities.

• MSMEs and Inclusive Growth: Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are crucial for inclusive, sustainable development. AfT has increasingly supported MSMEs, especially in developing Asia, to overcome barriers to international markets and integrate into global supply chains.

• Digital Economy and Trade: Digitalization offers significant potential for boosting trade and economic empowerment. E-commerce and digital services are emerging as key enablers for MSMEs and women. AfT can support digital infrastructure and connectivity, opening new trade opportunities.

• Policy Recommendations: The report calls for targeted policy interventions to reduce trade costs, improve digital connectivity, and enhance gender mainstreaming in trade policies and economic infrastructure projects. It also stresses the importance of fostering innovation and improving access to finance for SMEs and women-led businesses.

Key Information

Regional Trends

• Trade Composition: Merchandise trade still dominates, but services trade is growing rapidly. In 2018, services trade in the region reached $3.2 trillion, more than doubling since 2005.
• Trade Costs: Trade costs in goods have declined gradually, but further progress is needed, especially in services. Trade facilitation and infrastructure development have played a role in reducing costs.
• AfT Disbursements: AfT disbursements to developing Asia have grown from $5.3 billion in 2002-2005 to $13.9 billion in 2016-2017. The largest recipients include South and Southeast Asian economies, with transport and storage, and energy being the main sectors.

Women's Economic Empowerment

• Gender Disparities: Women are overrepresented in low-productivity traditional services and informal employment. They face significant barriers to entering international markets and GVCs.
• AfT and Gender Equality: AfT with a focus on gender equality has nearly tripled since 2005. It can improve access to economic opportunities by increasing gender mainstreaming in infrastructure and trade policies.
• Economic Returns: Supporting women's entrepreneurship can yield substantial economic returns. AfT should prioritize initiatives that enhance women's access to finance, training, and technology.

MSMEs and Inclusive Growth

• MSMEs' Role: MSMEs are vital for economic growth and job creation. They face challenges in accessing international markets, finance, and technology.
• AfT for MSMEs: AfT has increasingly supported MSMEs, particularly in developing Asia, to overcome these barriers. It has focused on improving trade facilitation, access to finance, and digital integration.

Digital Economy and Trade

• Digitalization Trends: E-commerce and digital services are growing rapidly, especially in developing economies. Digital trade can help MSMEs and women access global markets.
• Digital Connectivity: Investment in digital infrastructure is crucial for enabling trade and economic diversification. AfT can support this by funding digital connectivity projects.
• Policy Interventions: The report highlights the need for policies that support digital trade, such as improving internet access, fostering innovation, and promoting digital transactions.

Conclusion

• Targeted Interventions: The report concludes that targeted AfT interventions are essential for promoting inclusive and sustainable trade growth. It advocates for a stronger focus on women, MSMEs, and digital trade.
• Future of AfT: As AfT accounts for about 40% of official development assistance in the region, enhancing its effectiveness will be key to achieving more inclusive economic development.

Key Tables and Figures

• Table 1: Top recipients of AfT (2006-2017)

• Table 3.1-3.14: Data on gender employment, firm ownership, and digital connectivity

• Table 4.1-4.8: Data on MSMEs and their participation in trade and GVCs

• Table 5.1-5.15: Data on e-commerce, digital trade, and ICT investment

• Figure 2.1-2.16: Trends in trade value, trade costs, and AfT disbursements

• Figure 5.1-5.15: Data on digital trade and its impact on economic growth

Key Boxes

• Box 2.1: Trading Across Borders reforms in Asia and the Pacific (2014-2018)
• Box 2.2: Data considerations on AfT categories
• Box 3.1: Use of sex-disaggregated data for tracking women's empowerment
• Box 3.2: Promoting women's empowerment through PACER Plus in the Pacific
• Box 3.3: Gender-related provisions in preferential trade agreements
• Box 4.1: Support for women-led businesses to meet international standards
• Box 4.2: MSME empowerment provisions in Asia and the Pacific
• Box 5.1: Links between digitalization and diversification
• Box 5.2: How mobile and social commerce empower women and MSMEs
• Box 5.3: Regional initiatives on e-commerce and digital trade
• Box 5.4: Need for official statistics in e-commerce/digital trade

Definitions and Classifications

• Formal vs. Informal Employment: Formal employment includes jobs in formal sector enterprises, while informal employment includes jobs in informal sector enterprises or households.
• Non-Vulnerable vs. Vulnerable Employment: Non-vulnerable employment includes employees and employers, while vulnerable employment includes own-account workers and contributing family workers.
• Gender-Targeted Aid: Aid with activities that target gender equality as a principal or significant objective.