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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    Online Resource Centre for Asia-Pacific MSME Policy

    The Resource Centre collects knowledge about MSME policy across the Asia-Pacific region, for the information and interest of the region's policymakers.

    Source: ESCAP

    Policymakers: Goods, Access to Finance, Border Procedures & Trade Facilitation, Capacity Building, Contractual Disputes, Digital Trade & E-Commerce, Export Potential, Intellectual Property, Investment Facilitation, Logistics, Regional Trade Agreements, Regulation & Standards, Sustainability, Tariffs & Taxes, Trade Remedies, Asia & Middle East, Oceania,
    The Resource Centre collects knowledge about MSME policy across the Asia-Pacific region, for the information and interest of the region's policymakers.
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    APEC MSME Marketplace

    This portal brings together national and regional information for MSMEs in economies that are part of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. It also enables networking opportunities and more. Topics covered include trade regulations, trade facilitation, capacity building, and partnerships.

    Source: Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum

    Businesses: Goods, Services, Capacity Building, Asia & Middle East,
    This portal brings together national and regional information for MSMEs in economies that are part of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. It also enables networking opportunities and more. Topics covered include trade regulations, trade facilitation, capacity building, and partnerships.
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    Authorized Economic Operator Programs in the Islamic Countries – Enhancing Customs-Traders Partnership

    This report provides an overview of authorized economic operator programs in several Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states, looking at the history, global trends and lessons, and national-level implementation to date.

    Source: Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Operation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (COMCEC), 2018

    Policymakers: Border Procedures & Trade Facilitation, Asia & Middle East,
    This report provides an overview of authorized economic operator programs in several Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states, looking at the history, global trends and lessons, and national-level implementation to date.
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    Integrating SMEs in Authorized Economic Operator Certification: Improving SME Participation in APEC Secure Trade

    This report focuses on Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Certification and Mutual Recognition Agreements in APEC economies, looking at what SMEs must undertake to obtain AEO certifications or benefit from such MRAs, along with how to make existing systems easier to navigate and implement.

    Source: Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)

    Policymakers: Goods, Services, Border Procedures & Trade Facilitation, Asia & Middle East,
    This report focuses on Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Certification and Mutual Recognition Agreements in APEC economies, looking at what SMEs must undertake to obtain AEO certifications or benefit from such MRAs, along with how to make existing systems easier to navigate and implement.
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    Arab SMEs Portal: Rules of Origin

    This online database is devoted to rules of origin in countries in the Arab region, summarizing the relevant aspects of their customs laws along with providing links to the full legislation. The languages of the available materials vary by country (in some cases also available in French, in other cases only available in Arabic).

    Source: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia

    Businesses: Capacity Building, Asia & Middle East,
    This online database is devoted to rules of origin in countries in the Arab region, summarizing the relevant aspects of their customs laws along with providing links to the full legislation. The languages of the available materials vary by country (in some cases also available in French, in other cases only available in Arabic).
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    Blockchain for SMEs and Entrepreneurs in Israel

    To explain the evolution and uptake of blockchain technology in the Israeli context, including how legal and policy frameworks have changed, and what this has meant for small and medium-sized enterprises.

    Source: The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Authored by Marco Bianchini and Insung Kwon., 2020

    Policymakers: Goods, Services, Digital Trade & E-Commerce, Asia & Middle East,
    To explain the evolution and uptake of blockchain technology in the Israeli context, including how legal and policy frameworks have changed, and what this has meant for small and medium-sized enterprises.
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    Asia and the Middle East

    Asia & Middle East,