Asia & Middle East

Asia and the Middle East are important contributors to international trade due to their varied economies and manufacturing capabilities, accounting for over 43% of global goods exports in 2021. Asia is home to major economies like China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore. Economies in the region are key exporters of manufacturing products such as electronics, automotive, textiles, information technology services, and pharmaceuticals. The Middle East is a key supplier of energy resources, with countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar exporting fuels and mining products. Additionally, the Middle East has developed infrastructure and logistics hubs, such as Dubai and Doha, that facilitate trade flows between Asia, Europe, and Africa. Several economies within Asia and the Middle East have signed various intra-regional trade agreements, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), as well as agreements with several countries and territories outside the region including the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). These agreements promote regional integration and reduce trade barriers, fostering economic growth and trade diversification.

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    Books Archives on SME by Association of Southeast Asian Nations

    This is a webpage by Association of Southeast Asian Nations that includes books archives on topic around SMEs.

    Source: Association of Southeast Asian Nations

    Businesses: Policymakers: Goods, Services, Capacity Building, Asia & Middle East,
    This is a webpage by Association of Southeast Asian Nations that includes books archives on topic around SMEs.
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    Asian Development Bank (ADB)

    This is the homepage of Asian Development Bank (ADB).

    Source: Asian Development Bank (ADB)

    Businesses: Policymakers: Goods, Services, International Organization, Asia & Middle East,
    This is the homepage of Asian Development Bank (ADB).
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    Financial Inclusion of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in the Middle East and Central Asia

    This is a webpage by IMF on Financial Inclusion of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in the Middle East and Central Asia

    Source: International Monetary Fund, 2019

    Policymakers: Access to Finance, Asia & Middle East,
    This is a webpage by IMF on Financial Inclusion of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in the Middle East and Central Asia
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    Supply Chain Finance Knowledge Guide

    This report describes the general ecosystem for SCF, summarizes the best practices that financial institutions should adopt as they seek to enter the supply chain financing market and takes and attempt at quantifying the potential SCF market in Pakistan.

    Source: International Finance Corporation (IFC), 2019

    Policymakers: Goods, Services, Access to Finance, Asia & Middle East,
    This report describes the general ecosystem for SCF, summarizes the best practices that financial institutions should adopt as they seek to enter the supply chain financing market and takes and attempt at quantifying the potential SCF market in Pakistan.
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    Single Window for Trade Facilitation: Regional Best Practices and Future Development

    The case studies and survey results in this study can be used to derive recommendations for single window implementers in developing countries.

    Source: Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)

    Policymakers: Goods, Services, Border Procedures & Trade Facilitation, Asia & Middle East,
    The case studies and survey results in this study can be used to derive recommendations for single window implementers in developing countries.
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    PortNet in Morocco

    This Smart Lesson describes the steps PORTNET took to forge a strategic alliance between public and private stakeholders in Morocco to achieve a common, mutually beneficial aim: streamline Morocco’s foreign trade procedures and improve its business climate.

    Source: International Finance Corporation (IFC), 2017

    Policymakers: Goods, Services, Border Procedures & Trade Facilitation, Asia & Middle East,
    This Smart Lesson describes the steps PORTNET took to forge a strategic alliance between public and private stakeholders in Morocco to achieve a common, mutually beneficial aim: streamline Morocco’s foreign trade procedures and improve its business climate.
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    Singapore’s National Single Window for trade declaration.

    This is the website of TradeNet, a Singapore’s National Single Window for trade declaration.

    Source: Singapore Customs

    Businesses: Border Procedures & Trade Facilitation, Asia & Middle East,
    This is the website of TradeNet, a Singapore’s National Single Window for trade declaration.
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    Single Window Planning and Implementation Guide

    The Single Window Planning and Implementation Guide contains managerial guidelines for policy managers, policymakers and those who are tasked to plan and manage the information technology-enabled Single Window development projects for simplifying cross-border trade procedures and document requirements within developing economies and transition economies.

    Source: UNESCAP, 2012

    Policymakers: Goods, Services, Border Procedures & Trade Facilitation, Asia & Middle East,
    The Single Window Planning and Implementation Guide contains managerial guidelines for policy managers, policymakers and those who are tasked to plan and manage the information technology-enabled Single Window development projects for simplifying cross-border trade procedures and document requirements within developing economies and transition economies.
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    Japan Contact list of Customs Counselors

    The objective of the Customs Counselor System is to facilitate appropriate and smooth customs administration by providing proper knowledge on import and export procedures to concerned parties, clearing up misunderstandings, and if necessary, revising or improving import and expert procedures via consultations or hearing complaints.

    Source: Japan Custom

    Businesses: Policymakers: Goods, Border Procedures & Trade Facilitation, Asia & Middle East,
    The objective of the Customs Counselor System is to facilitate appropriate and smooth customs administration by providing proper knowledge on import and export procedures to concerned parties, clearing up misunderstandings, and if necessary, revising or improving import and expert procedures via consultations or hearing complaints.
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    How Legal Entity Identifiers Will Transform Small Business in Asia

    This Blog by Asian Development Bank explores how legal entity identifiers will transform small business in Asia

    Source: Asian Development Bank (ADB) , 2018

    Policymakers: Goods, Border Procedures & Trade Facilitation, Regulation & Standards, Asia & Middle East,
    This Blog by Asian Development Bank explores how legal entity identifiers will transform small business in Asia
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    Integrating SMEs in Authorized Economic Operator Certification: Improving SME Participation in APEC Secure Trade

    The results provided in this study are expected to complement APEC’s previous research on AEO-related issues and aims to demonstrate Members’ on-the-ground experience formalizing and optimizing the implementation of AEO.

    Source: Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), 2021

    Policymakers: Goods, Services, Border Procedures & Trade Facilitation, Asia & Middle East,
    The results provided in this study are expected to complement APEC’s previous research on AEO-related issues and aims to demonstrate Members’ on-the-ground experience formalizing and optimizing the implementation of AEO.
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    Streamlining NTMs in ASEAN: The Way Forward

    This the policy brief on how NTMs could play a role of check and balance for quality of goods.

    Source: Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), 2017

    Businesses: Policymakers: Goods, Regulation & Standards, Tariffs & Taxes, Asia & Middle East, Oceania,
    This the policy brief on how NTMs could play a role of check and balance for quality of goods.