Trade Facilitation in Asia and the Pacific: Which Policies and Measures affect Trade Costs the Most?

This paper presents findings from an initial analysis of new non-tariff trade cost estimates and their determinants, based on a bilateral database of comprehensive trade cost maintained by ESCAP. Results of the non-tariff policy-related trade costs modeling exercise strongly suggest that improving port efficiency (liner shipping connectivity) and access to information and communication technology facilities is essential to reducing trade costs.trade facilitation, trade costs, measures, policy, tariff, non-tariff, port efficiency, liner shipping connectivity, logistics, information and communication technology, information technology, public-private partnership, business environment, ASEAN, China, India, Japan, Korea