Publications Discussion Papers
2013 |
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| #181 | Logistics, Trade and Production Networks: An Empirical Investigation by Prabir De and Amrita Saha Abstract: Logistics services contribute to not only expansion in trade and production networks within or across countries but also help to build countries’ productive capacities. With production processes and tasks in production increasingly fragmented across borders, time-sensitive logistics services along with information and communication technology can be the key to facilitate production networks. The analysis in this study provides a synoptic view of the role of logistics in promoting such production networks across borders. It undertakes a case study of two products: India’s export of yarn to Bangladesh and India’s import of air-conditioning equipment from Thailand. It is observed that improvements in logistics services can significantly increase trade volumes through production networks across borders. Also, there exists such a long-run relationship between trade and logistics performance that the causal link can be in both directions. In terms of policy, this paper suggests that efficient performance in logistics contributes positively to trade, which, in turn, promotes production networks across borders. A regional logistics sector policy focusing on narrowing logistics gaps is thereby important to facilitate trade and production networks in Asia and the Pacific. |
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2012 |
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| #180 |
India and Africa: Development Partnership by Ambassador Shyam Saran |
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| #179 |
Towards a More Equitable Outcome from Rio Plus 20 by Ambassador A. Gopinathan |
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| #178 |
India 2050: Can We Celebrate the Centenary of the Republic as a Developed Country? by Ramgopal Agarwala |
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| #177 |
BRICS and South-South Cooperation in Medicine: Emerging Trends in Research and Entrepreneurial Collaborations by Sachin Chaturvedi and Halla Thorsteinsdóttir Abstract: Though there is huge spectrum of South-South collaboration, led by the economies from the BRICS countries in the medical field there is a lack of studies examining the extent and characteristics of these collaborations and evaluating their benefits. The authors’ research on South-South research and entrepreneurial collaboration in health biotechnology shows relatively strong involvement of the emerging economies BRICS, apart from some of the other economies such as Cuba, also actively pursues South-South collaboration. This collaboration is generally mutually beneficial for both participating countries, and aimed at shared health needs. As a result the collaboration does not necessarily consist of donor-recipient relationships but heavily reflect capacity-building efforts, where capacity in health biotechnology research and development was extended through South-South collaboration. |
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2011 | ||
| #176 | The R&D Scenario in Indian Pharmaceutical Industry by Reji K Joseph Abstract: A set of policy reforms have been introduced in the Indian pharmaceutical sector since mid-1990s, aimed at incentivizing the private sector R&D. Patent reforms was the most significant policy reform. An implicit assumption that the Indian pharmaceutical firms have become capable of developing new drugs underlined these reforms and it was expected that both the Indian firms and MNCs would invest in R&D on new drugs not only for diseases that are prevalent globally but also for diseases that are specific to India and other tropical countries. This discussion paper provides an analysis of the impact of these reforms on pharmaceutical R&D in India. It looks into the context in which the reforms were introduced, the nature and trends of R&D efforts and emerging R&D strategies. |
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| #175 | India-Baltic Sea Region Trade and Connectivity: Myth or Reality? by Prabir De Abstract: India and Baltic Sea Region (BSR) may seem very different areas of the world, and indeed in many ways they are heterogeneous. But, there are many similarities. Both the regions enjoy diversity-of geography, culture, landscape, economy and language. Notwithstanding their vast achievement in the global trade, trade between BSR and India has been fairly low and unevenly distributed across BSR countries. Intuitively, efficient regional trade corridor between them - be it ocean, air or land - is important to increase trade volume, diversify exports, attain export sophistication, and strengthen economic integration. This paper suggests that the India-BSR trade exchange and connectivity shall aim to improve the performance of regional infrastructure and eliminate the technological asymmetry in transportation dealing the trade between them. While at the verge of another global financial crisis, this paper suggests that an integrated regional trade and transport corridor between India and Europe in general and with BSR, in particular, would yield much larger economic benefits. This study calls for a strategic partnership for policy development and an action plan to foster regional cooperation and integration between India and the Baltic Sea Region. |
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| #174 | Productivity in the Era of Trade and Investment Liberalization in India by Ram Upendra Das Abstract: Over recent years India has witnessed wide-ranging economic reforms in her policies governing international trade and FDI flows. Consequently, both trade and FDI flows have risen dramatically since 1991. Using firm-level panel data this paper finds that significant productivity improvements have taken place in the period since 2000. The paper further explores the important determinants of productivity improvements across a range of different categories. As per the findings of the paper, some of the important determinants of productivity measured by total factor productivity (TFP) include imports of raw materials and capital goods, size of operation, quality of employment captured by wage rates and technology imports measured by royalty payments. It also emerges that R&D in organized manufacturing remains at a nascent stage possibly because of the inadequate emphasis this sphere has been given by the private sector. However, further exploration of this issue is required in order to draw any firm conclusions. Broadly, foreign firms have catered to the Indian domestic market and as a result India is yet to develop as an export platform. Finally, the import-export linkage is not shown to be significant in the sample of import-dependent firms. However, the paper emphasizes that the issue of productivity gains needs to be kept in a balanced perspective. Towards the end, the paper makes some broad policy suggestions in the realm of regional integration focusing on trade in goods and services, investment cooperation, R&D cooperation and human resource development in order to harness regional sources of demand impulses. |
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| #173 | Assessing Barriers to Trade in Services in India by Prabir De Abstract: International trade in services has become more important in recent years as advances in technology have permitted new means of providing services across borders. Services have emerged as crucial economic activities in India, more prominently since the last decade. Apart from providing the bulk of employment and income in India, the services sector also serves as vital input for producing other goods and services. While a large part of India’s services sector is untapped and rarely explored to the international market, a growing number of barriers at the same time have been slowing down India’s international market access in the services sector. There is little doubt that services trade is an essential ingredient to economic growth. It is widely accepted that it can only make such positive contribution if appropriately liberalised and facilitated across countries. In this study, we have performed an empirical analysis of the linkages between India’s services trade flow and its probable barriers. The results of the analysis show that the linkages between services export and services trade barriers are multiple and complex. One of the findings of this paper suggests that improved trade facilitation may help unlock the unrealized trade potential, and, therefore, more effective policy approaches toward improved services trade infrastructure would be needed to facilitate services export from India. The study finds that recreating favourable domestic policies that are responsible for services trade facilitation and reforming domestic regulations in trade and infrastructure sectors need utmost attention. |
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| #172 | South-South Cooperation in Health and Pharmaceuticals: Emerging Trends in India-Brazil Collaborations by Sachin Chaturvedi Abstract: India-Brazil partnership in the health sector is an area in which the two major economies have increasingly collaborated not only bilaterally, but also in several international forums. This has added new thrust to the process of South-South cooperation. At the bilateral level, both the countries have identified common health sector challenges particularly diseases for joint research. They have established new fellowships for supporting research in their respective economies. Besides, the two countries have been developing partnerships for setting the agenda in multilateral forums like the WHO and WTO as well as in the IBSA and the BRICS forums. Apart from facilitating trade negotiating positions at WTO, for export of drugs and pharmaceuticals to the affected countries, India and Brazil have also launched joint R&D projects in biomedicine both at the bilateral level and also under the aegis of IBSA. This emphasis at IBSA on health diplomacy is rather new and it demonstrates that health is emerging as an important area for joint collaboration among emerging economies. The Section II of the paper provides an overview of the trade linkages between the two economies with special reference to pharmaceutical sector while section III presents the recent initiatives at various levels for expansion of ties in the health sector. Section IV looks into research and entrepreneurial linkages. The conclusions are drawn in the last section. |
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2010 |
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| #171 | India’s Union Budget: Changing Scope and the Evolving Content by Rajeev Malhotra Abstract: The paper reflects on the changing scope of the Union Budget and the Finance Minister’s speech and assesses the evolving content of these policy instruments in recent years. The analysis undertaken is based on a framework highlighting some inter-related objectives that government budget serves in public policy making. These objectives include the use of budget as a tool for implementing fiscal policy, as an accountability tool for government functioning, a planning tool to operationalise a multi-year plan perspective and as a tool for anchoring policy coherence and coordination. The paper identifies some assessment criteria implicit in these objectives for assessing the budget content and its preparatory process. It suggests several measures and some pending reforms in fiscal policy and the underlying budget processes to address the identified objectives more effectively and makes a case for speeding up their implementation. |
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| #170 | Revisiting the Global Food Crisis: Magnitude, Causes, Impact and Policy Options by Arindam Banerjee
Abstract: The brief period that we have seen of the 21st century has been marked by a drastic intensification of the global food crisis. The phenomenal surge in fuel and food prices followed by the ongoing economic crisis have worked in tandem to increasingly deprive the poor across the world, particularly in the Global South, from their fundamental right to food. The fast expanding incidence of hunger and nutritional deprivation amongst the developing and less-developed countries has emerged as a major concern for academics, multilateral institutions and policymakers, besides the larger society. The magnitude of the food crisis demands urgent action on the part of governments, multilateral agencies and all those who cherish the vision of a hunger-free world. A correct identification of the causes of the food crisis and rising hunger is, therefore, crucial for the adaptation of policies and strategies in this battle against hunger and food-deprivation. In this backdrop, this paper seeks to review the various strains of the discourse that has emerged on this issue. The volatility of food prices in the short run has been an important factor behind the vulnerability of the vast mass of net food buyers across the Third World nations. While the impact of the skyrocketing of oil and grain prices, in the recent past, on the access to food in these countries needs to be traced out, the global financial crisis and the associated loss of livelihood and employment is also crucially linked to the question of food security. Looking at the issue from the lens of a longer historical time-frame, one is also drawn towards a review of the trade policies of developing countries and the export-oriented agricultural production that has gained prominence in large parts of the Global South over the last few decades. In this regard, the structural change in many developing country food stocks policy and public distribution mechanisms is one policy aspect that also assumes importance from the perspective of food security. |
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| #169 | International Food Safety Standards and India's Food Exports An Analysis Based on Gravity Model Using Three-Dimensional Data by Rajesh Mehta Abstract:The paper tries to understand precisely how the food safety regulations applied by the industrialized countries have an effect on India’s export of processed food to these markets. It also examines the information deficiencies of Indian firms about international food safety standards, which influence their current performance. In the light of these objectives the paper tests a few hypotheses using primary data. This has been carried out by estimating gravity model using three-dimensional statistics. Our results show that India stood to loose around 156 per cent of actual exports because of higher stringent food safe regulations in select developed countries. It also proves that foreign collaborators provide better information about the prevailing food safety regulations and how to meet those obligations. Keywords: India’s processed food export, international food safety standards, Gravity Model, fixed effects model, random effect model |
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| #168 | Technological Change and New Actors: Debate on Returns and Regulations by Sachin Chaturvedi Abstract: New technology in the seed sector has brought in new actors and new requirements for regulation. It is important to discuss how far India is working on new opportunities and policy options for effective and rationale regulatory framework. Equally important is to analyze how socio-economic dimension is often overlooked while evolving regulatory frameworks both for biosafety as well as for price control of seeds. There is systemic lack of technological sensitivity in the agricultural R&D system. We fail to appreciate the kind of technological support farmers are looking for and how best a delivery system for new technologies should be put in place. In this regard, India would have to evolve a dynamic innovation and technology policy to address diverse agricultural challenges and growing environmental concerns. There is need to do is to overhaul the institutional set-up and its linkages with ground-level experiences. This includes gearing up of decision making process for newer crops; setting up of necessary infrastructure and trained manpower for any eventuality related to biohazard; and, on top of that, identifying correctly the technological expectations from agricultural R&D systems. Keywords: Seed, regulation competition policy, biosafety, India. |
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| #167 | The Food-Feed-Fuel Triangle:Implications of Corn-based Ethanol for Grain-Use Competition by Arindam Banerjee Abstract: The contemporary world is witnessing certain critical changes in the domain of grain utilization. With the ongoing efforts to substitute fossil fuels with bio-fuels, there has been a rise in the importance of fuel-use of cereals. This adds a new dimension to the food-feed competition that emerged in the 20th century. Revisiting Yotopoulos’ food-feed competition model in the context of the large scale corn-ethanol production in the US, this paper attempts to draw out the new theoretical tenets of grain-use dynamics that have emerged with the new food-feed-fuel competition. The crude oil prices appear to play a more important role in the competition for grains between the various end-uses. Along with this, the equilibrating role that animal-feed has played in the grain-use dynamics in developed countries, with large middle-classes, is jeopardized with the advent of grain-based bio-fuels like corn-ethanol. The examination of the issue reveals that the US bio-fuels targets can have more serious implications for food security in the future that what meets the eye. |
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| #166 | Global Financial Crisis:Implications for Trade and Industrial Restructuring in India by Prabir De and Chiranjib Neogi Abstract: This paper investigates the impact of global crisis shocks on India’s trade and industry. The estimated results show that changes in trade composition are positively associated with changes in manufacturing composition in India, controlling for other variables. While analysing its dynamic effects, compositional change in industry has responded significantly to the export to USA, Japan and EU in the crisis period. However, there is no strong indication to conclude that Indian industry has been severely affected by the fall in demand in crisis-affected advanced economies such as US, EU and Japan, holding other things constant. Key words: Global crisis, trade, industrial composition, trade openness, India JEL codes: F02, F13, F17, F42, F47, L6, L7 |
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| #165 | Are Trade Openness and Financial Development Complementary? by Ram Upendra Das and Meenakshi Rishi Abstract:Trade liberalization and financial deepening have assumed greater significance for a country’s economic growth performance in recent times. Several theoretical and empirical studies have devoted considerable attention to the association between economic performance and trade liberalization as well as to the connections between financial market development and economic growth. However, literature is sparse in terms of the direct linkages between trade openness and financial sector development. This paper finds that trade openness and financial development are complementary and econometrically tests this hypothesis for India over a period of time. However, two important policy implications of the analysis presented in this paper deserve attention. First, although financial deepening has emerged as an important aspect of the economic growth strategy in the Indian context, since the sources of such a deepening may be both domestic as well as external; the importance of a judicious policy mix cannot be neglected, especially in the wake of the current global financial meltdown. Second, as documented in the econometric analysis, the complementarities between trade openness and financial deepening appear to be less pronounced. However, this should be interpreted with some caution. While the Indian data suggest that trade and financial liberalization policies may possibly be pursued independent of each other, this by no means suggests that there are no reinforcing linkages between the two. |
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| #164 | Does Governance Matter for Enhancing Trade? Empirical Evidence from Asia by Prabir De Abstract:The primary objective of this paper is to find whether or not the governance and institutions matter for enhancing Asia’s trade. In this study, we have performed a comprehensive empirical analysis of the linkages between governance and trade at the Asian subregional level. Our results indicate that all individual governance indicators except regulatory quality have significant impact on trade in Asia, of which government effectiveness is the most crucial for Asia’s trade promotion. One of the conclusions of this paper is that soft infrastructure such as the institutions and governance are important for enhancing Asia’s trade. In other words, good governance and institutions help unlock trade potential of a region (or a nation). Improved governance, particularly at the sectoral level, can carry huge payoffs at a time when Asia is planning to pursue a free trade for the entire region. Ignoring “governance weaknesses” can stultify economic returns to free trade. Therefore, more effective policy approaches toward improved governance are needed to complement the regional trade policy in Asia and beyond. |
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| #163 | Rules of Origin under Regional Trade Agreements by Ram Upendra Das Abstract:Rules of origin (ROO) have emerged as an area in which consensus is hard to achieve among negotiating countries within an RTA. Disagreements over rules of origin have often deferred the implementation of several trade agreements. One of the reasons for this is because ROO are viewed as those obstructing trade. Most of the literature on the subject too argues that ROO reduce efficiency costs in production and restrict market access. It is argued in this paper that both the negotiations and the analytical literature pertaining to ROO display a lack of sound understanding of the implications of rules of origin. Developing a comprehensive view on the subject, with a developmental perspective of ROO, could help prevent wastage of negotiating-time, avoid cumbersome procedures and implement the agreements with the intention to reap the economic benefits of ROO. The paper highlights the economics of ROO, focuses on the issue of near-optimum ROO formulation, presents a factual account of ROO as evolved in South Asia, empirically estimates of the effects of ROO on trade in an FTA and finally makes new policy suggestions relating to ROO implementation and enforcement. |
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| #162 | Geographical Indications at the WTO: An Unfinished Agenda by Kasturi Das Abstract:Over the recent past, Geographical Indication (GI) has emerged as one of the most contentious categories of intellectual property (IP). Two among the three TRIPS issues presently under discussion at the WTO pertain to GIs, the third being the relationship between the TRIPS and the CBD. Interestingly, in sharp contrast to the archetypical North-South divide on IP issues in the realm of the WTO and beyond, in the sphere of GIs one comes across developing countries joining hands with developed countries either as demandeurs or opponents in the ongoing WTO talks, depending on their respective stakes on GIs. The aim of this paper is to provide a concise account of the ongoing WTO discussions on GIs. However, the dynamics of the current negotiations cannot be put into perspective unless judged in the light of the key reasons underlying the discordance between the two sides of this highly contentious area, namely the ‘Old World’ and the ‘New World’. With this aim in view, the paper explores some of the key historical, legal and economic reasons underlying the GI row. Given that the issues presently under discussion have their origin in the Uruguay Round negotiations and the compromise deal on GIs that they culminated into, the paper undertakes a rigorous assessment of the drafting history of the Uruguay Round. It then goes on to track the ongoing negotiations and analyzes various negotiating proposals under consideration on the three GI issues: multilateral register for wines and spirits; extension of the higher level of protection presently available for wines and spirits to all product categories; and the ‘claw-back’ proposal of the European Communities (under the agriculture agenda). The paper argues that the recent emergence of a strategic alliance of more than 100 Member countries in support of a parallelism on the three IP issues may be helpful in pushing the GI agenda forward, including the case of ‘extension’ that has been strongly supported by many developing countries including China, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, among others. However, adequate legal protection at the international level through the ‘extension’ route can at best be regarded as necessary but in no way sufficient for reaping the commercial benefits out of the Southern GIs in the global market. Hence, the developing country proponents of GIs need to weigh the costs and benefits among various issues of interest to them before taking any particular stance at the WTO in the future. Given that the aforesaid strategic alliance was reached at the cost of a significant compromise on the part some of these developing countries on the TRIPS/CBD front, it remains an open question whether such a compromise was worth making for these countries, many of whom could actually have benefited more by getting a better deal on TRIPS/CBD than on GIs! |
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| #161 | Revision of India-Nepal Treaty of Trade and Its Implications for Strengthening Bilateral Trade and Investment Linkages by Indra Nath Mukherji Abstract:Relations between India and Nepal have been bound by long-standing geographical, historical, cultural, social and economic ties that the peoples of the two countries have shared since times immemorial. For quite some time, and particularly with the installation of Maoist-led coalition government in August 2008, the demand for revision of treaties trade and of peace and friendship was being made in the context of new developments in bilateral relationships.Underscoring the close linkage between security and economy, India’s first treaty of Trade and Commerce with Nepal was signed on the same day as the Treaty of Peace and Friendship on 31 July 1950. The first section of this paper traces historically, the evolution of India’s Trade and Transit Treaties with Nepal beginning from the time such a Treaty was initiated in 1950 till the last revision was enacted on 27 October 2009. The paper focuses particularly on the last revision to analyze to what extent it addresses the concerns of the respective governments and stakeholders. The impression obtained is that the amendments rightly stress on a variety of non-tariff barriers as also non-tariff measures that need to be streamlined to enable trade, particularly exports from Nepal to flow more smoothly to India. However some time-bound institutional mechanism needs to be put in place to ensure that the incorporated provisions do not remain in the nature of best endeavor clauses. This is particularly relevant given that with the signing of several bilateral/regional free trade agreements by India over the last decade, the preference margin being enjoyed by Nepal has been severely eroded. In this context India’s offer to consider the removal of special additional duties on Nepalese exports to India (on specific request from Nepal) appears plausible. The paper highlights the trend in bilateral trade between the two countries. It notes that barring setbacks in certain years, the bilateral trade between the two countries has been growing briskly. It notes that even though Nepal has been able to diversify its trade with India, its trade deficit with India has been increasing |
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2009 |
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| #160 | Regional Cooperation for Regional Infrastructure Development: Challenges and Policy Options for South Asia by Prabir De Abstract:Regional infrastructure is one of the major determinants of economic integration process. It enhances international and regional connectivity through the free flow of goods and factors across borders, allowing countries to benefit from a better relocation of resources. Efficient transportation networks linking neighbouring countries enlarge market size and help national economies to grow further through higher trade and production. The South Asian merchandise trade due to South Asia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) is expected to increase by manifolds in coming years. Accompanying this growth will be an increase in demand of both national and regional infrastructure services, for both production and consumption, and international trade purposes. A failure to respond to this demand will slow down South Asia’s trade and hamper the growth process. Thus, the infrastructure challenges, both hardware and software, before the South Asian countries, particularly for those are land-locked and island, require better understanding and adequate support. This paper discusses the emerging scenario in regional infrastructure development in South Asia, identifies the infrastructure challenges for the future, and provides some policy options in order to better integrate the South Asian region. |
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| #159 | India’s Trade in Drugs and Pharmaceuticals: Emerging Trends, Opportunities and Challenges by Reji K Joseph Abstract:It was argued in the context economic reforms in pharmaceuticals sector, particularly in the context of changing patent regime, that growth in exports would be restricted, imports would get a fillip and balance of trade would be adversely affected. The paper looks into the recent experience in exports and imports of drugs and pharmaceutical products. It is found that there is a tremendous growth in the exports. The focus of exports has shifted from intermediates and bulk drugs to formulations. The expiry of patents on drugs worth billions of dollars in the near future, would provide a big opportunity for Indian generic producers. However, the expansion of formulation exports is increasingly facing challenges from various corners-increasing application of non tariff barriers by importing countries, authorised Indian generics being targeted by global anti-counterfeit drive and competition from China. Import of formulations did not increase as has been anticipated. Paper also finds that there is a negative and growing trade balance, owing to the import of intermediates and bulk drugs. The industry is now increasingly adopting the strategy of importing intermediates and bulk drugs and processing them into formulations. The removal of ratio parameter linking the production of intermediates and bulk drugs to the production of formulations has eliminated compulsions on the indigenous production of intermediates and bulk drugs. |
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| #158 | On Managing Risks Facing the Indian Economy: Towards a Better Balance between Public and Private Sectors by Ramgopal Agarwala Abstract:While the global economy has pulled back from the financial abyss, it is by no means out of the woods. The developing countries (including India) should be prepared for: (a) medium term stagnation in their exports to the developed countries, (b) severe reduction in inflow of longer term capital from the developed countries, (c) a high degree of instability in short term capital flows and (d) instability in exchange rates with a serious risk of a dollar crisis. The impact on the Indian economy of these external factors may be more serious than is currently recognized in official documents. The conventional approach of assessing the impact of exports on growth and of external capital inflows on investment may be flawed. A large part of the recent (2003-07) increase in saving and investment rate and in growth rate in the Indian economy may have been due to external factors. And as the external stimulus provided by rapidly growing exports and cheap external credit during these years fizzles out, so could the recent acceleration in India’s GDP. In order to prevent such reversal in growth rates, increased efforts are necessary to: (a) generate domestic demand, in particular in unorganized sector where there is considerable underemployment and where additional demand can create its own additional supply, (b) mobilize domestic savings for long–term investment, (c) explore opportunities for greater South-South co-operation for trade and finance, (d) provide for protection from volatile capital flows and unstable exchange rates including a possible dollar crisis and (e) make an intensive study of financial risks of the corporate sector. If India is to achieve a steady growth of 8-9 per cent per year over the medium and long-term, it must look for a new balance between market and state and between North and South. In business as usual scenario, India may return to pre-bubble trend growth rates of about 6 per cent per year. On the other hand with appropriate reforms (quite different from those popular under the now defunct Washington Consensus) we can turn the crisis into an opportunity for maintaining rapid growth of 8-9 per cent per year and make it more sustainable and more inclusive. |
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| #157 | Regional Economic Integration in South Asia: Prospects and Challenges by Ram Upendra Das Abstract: Realizing its importance, the South Asian region has also embarked upon various processes of regional economic integration. However, the South Asian regional integration process is fraught with difficulties, especially due to a lack of understanding about the very economics of regional economic integration. Thus, this paper dwells upon some of the conceptual issues pertaining to regional economic cooperation in general and specific to the South Asian region. It also documents the progress made in SAARC, the SAFTA trade liberalization and associated mechanisms alongside the nature of safeguards provided for. In this respect, developmental perspectives of safeguards are put forth. Some fresh insights on the status of SAARC trade integration process in a dynamic setting are also brought out. The paper also highlights the potentials for deeper economic integration in the region. The paper further illustrates some of the areas wherein project-based cooperation is feasible in the region. Finally, the paper makes an objective assessment of the regional integration process and identifies certain policy-induced and structural constraints that have important policy-implications. |
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| #156 | The European Union’s Proposed Carbon Equalization System: Can it be WTO Compatible? by Biswajit Dhar and Kasturi Das Abstract:Numerous political statements by the world leaders on the urgency of reaching an ambitious climate deal in Copenhagen notwithstanding, the actual discussions at the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) continue to be shrouded by daunting North-South divide, dimming the hope of sealing a deal in December 2009. The negotiating climate has been further queered by the European Union (EU) and the United States (US), which have, in the recent past, made attempts to include certain unilateral trade measures in their domestic climate change regimes. Among the issues that have fuelled the debates on the climate-trade interface in the run-up to Copenhagen, perhaps the most contested one is the proposed use by developed countries of border measures on imports from countries (read ‘major-emitting’ developing countries) not implementing comparable GHG (green house gas) emissions reduction policies on the grounds of addressing the risk of what has been coined as ‘carbon leakage’. The issue of carbon leakage has its origin in the purported apprehension in these developed countries that in the energy intensive, trade-exposed sectors, the carbon costs imposed by their domestic climate policies (e.g. carbon tax or cap-and-trade scheme) will put domestic producers at a competitive disadvantage vis-à-vis producers in countries not imposing similarly strict carbon constraints. It is argued that if stringent domestic climate action causes their firms to relocate to other countries with less stringent or no carbon constraint, or to lose market share to firms from countries having low emission standards, then the emission reduction achieved in countries imposing stringent measures will be offset to a great extent by an increase in emissions elsewhere. According to the developed countries, such carbon leakage could end up undermining the environmental integrity of the carbon constraining domestic policy measures. In keeping with the above arguments, law makers in both the US and the EU have proposed introduction of carbon tariffs in order to obviate the disadvantages that their domestic products may face vis-àvis imports as a result of emission reduction measures being adopted by them. While the inclusion of such onerous proposals in the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (the Waxman-Markey Bill), as approved by the US House of Representatives in the end-June 2009, has generated significant furore over the past several months, somewhat similar provisions were already included in the post-2012 climate change and energy package finalized by the EU in December 2008. It is widely argued by developing countries that such carbon tariffs on imports would be akin to protectionism in the guise of preventing global warming. Concerns have emerged among the so-called ‘major-emitting developing countries’ (such as, China and India), who are the main target of such measures, that these measures could act as a discriminatory market access barrier affecting their exports to the developed countries concerned in energy intensive sectors that may come under the purview of these measures. Hence, it is apprehended by them that the proposals to impose such carbon tariffs may act as an effective threat to induce them to undertake binding emission reduction commitments in the ongoing climate negotiations. It is this tacit protectionist intent allegedly underlying the proposed border measures that has triggered a huge furore among the developing countries. Another controversial issue pertaining to such carbon tariffs is whether they could be compatible with the WTO (World Trade Organization) commitments of the countries introducing such measures. This concern has found reflection not only in the post-2012 climate-energy package of the EU itself, but also in the debates on the domestic climate legislations in the EU and US. Against this backdrop, this paper makes an attempt to analyze the WTO compatibility or otherwise of the border measure proposed by the EU in its post-2012 climateenergy package. The analysis focuses on two sets of issues: (i) whether the proposed border measure could conform to the ‘border tax adjustment’ provisions and the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) clause of the GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade), and if not then (ii) whether the EU could justify it under the ‘General Exceptions’ provisions included in Article XX of the GATT that allow WTO Members, subject to certain conditions included in its chapeau, to deviate from their GATT obligations to serve certain legitimate policy objectives, including environmental objectives. The analysis presented in this paper indicates that the EU could face significant difficulties in establishing that the proposed border measure would be WTO-compliant. However, the devil would finally lie in the details. |
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| #155 | Addressing the Defaults of Globalization? by Prof. Jan Pronk | |
| #154 | Trade Facilitation, Information Technology and SMEs: Emerging Evidences from India by Sachin Chaturvedi Abstract: This paper look into the key issues concerning trade facilitation and SMEs, particularly how information technology related measures have influenced SMEs. India undertook focused and dedicated trade facilitation (TF) initiatives for improving infrastructure and the regulatory regime dealing with its external sector. Information technology (IT) and information technology enabled services (ITES) are prominently placed centre-stage of the trade process reforms. Despite ‘full’ automation of the cargo clearance process, constant personal follow-up at various stages is still needed, which small and medium enterprises with a low volume of trade find it difficult to pursue. This leaves SMEs with very little option but to rely on CHAs, which has its own implications for transaction costs. Moreover, in India some of the key legislations are also not SME friendly. For instance, the customs automation programme does not distinguish between small and large players, despite SMEs contribution in India’s trade being consistently above the 30 per cent mark. Keywords: Trade Facilitation, Customs Reforms, Information Technology, SMEs, India. |
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| #153 | Climate Change, Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property Rights by K.Ravi Srinivas Abstract: Technology development and transfer has been identified as a key element in the Bali Action Plan. In the negotiations on a global climate treaty the developing nations have put forth ideas and plans to ensure that intellectual property rights (IPRs) do not become a barrier to transfer of climate friendly technology. In this discussion paper, this question of technology transfer, intellectual property rights is addressed in the context of climate change. Patent statistics shows the dominance of developed countries in specific technologies. The analysis on specific technologies indicates that IPRs is an important issue in development and transfer of technology and it is a barrier. Data indicates that although developing countries have made some progress, the dominance of developed countries in terms of patents, royalty and licensing income and expenditure on Research and Development remains as before. The historical experience is that stronger IPRs do not always result in more technology transfer and technology absorption. Hence the argument that developing countries should provide stronger protection of IPRs to encourage technology transfer has to be challenged. The technology transfer under UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol has been minimal and insufficient to meet the needs of developing countries. The harmonization of IPRs through TRIPS has limited the options of countries to use compulsory licensing and competition policy. TRIPS has not facilitated technology transfer, particularly to Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and the North-South divide on this issue has resulted in a stalemate. Under these circumstances it is futile to expect that TRIPS alone will result in more transfer of climate-friendly technologies. Using Common But Differentiated Responsibility principle in technology development and transfer is desirable. Many proposals and suggestions have been made to stimulate technology development and transfer. Montreal Protocol is a successful example that is relevant in the context of climate change. The proposals including the proposals made by developing countries deserve a serious consideration and innovative solutions have to be found. Humanity does not has the luxury of finding solutions over a century to solve problems created by global climate change. Developing countries need both development and access to technologies that will facilitate the transition to less carbon intensive economy within the next two or three decades. So it is essential that IP issues do not become a barrier in this transition. The challenge of climate change calls for out of the box thinking to find solutions that can make a difference. The IPR issues in technology transfer need to be tackled by a combination of policy measures, incentives and bringing in changes at the global IP regime under TRIPS. |
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| #152 | The Limited Promise of Agricultural Trade Liberalization by Timothy A. Wise Abstract: It has become an article of faith in international trade negotiations that farmers in developing countries have much to gain from agricultural trade liberalization. This paper assesses the evidence for such claims. It concludes that the promise of agricultural trade liberalization is overstated, while the costs to small-scale farmers in developing countries are often very high. Relying on World Bank data and analyses, United Nations trade data, and other economic modeling carried out to inform the current round of World Trade Organization negotiations, this paper shows that rich countries are the main beneficiaries of agricultural trade liberalization, gaining markets in both the global North and South. Only a limited number of developing countries – for example, Argentina and Brazil – can compete effectively in global markets. Most developing countries are left out of the export boom but suffer the negative effects of rising imports, as they reduce their own tariffs and farm supports. Meanwhile, farm prices do not remain high for long after liberalization, as supplies, fed by rising yields and new land under cultivation, catches up to rising demand. While the current commodity boom, fueled in part by the demand for agro-fuels, may keep prices high for a few years, it is unlikely to fundamentally alter the structure of global agriculture and the long-term trends toward lower prices. Keywords: agriculture, trade, commodities, rural development, liberalization. |
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| #151 | Who Uses the Patent System in Developing Countries? A Study of Patent Propensities in Argentina, 1992-2001 by Andrés López and Eugenia Orlicki Abstract: This paper aims at studying the determinants of the patent behavior of Argentinean manufacturing firms. In particular, we seek to identify the factors that affect the probability of obtaining a patent and the determinants of the number of patents granted. We include industry fixed effects and our sample is based on data extracted from two innovation surveys. Our main results are: (i) foreign owned firms have a higher probability of obtaining a patent than domestic ones; and (ii) local R&Dactivities have not had any impact on the probability of obtaining a patent neither on the number of patents obtained by the firms. |
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| #150 | Policies for Industrial Learning in China and Mexico Kevin by Kevin P. Gallagher and Mehdi Shafaeddin Abstract: Previous work has shown that the results of both China and Mexico’s export-led market reforms over the past quarter century have been strikingly different. In contrast to China, Mexico has not managed to increase the value added of its exports of manufactured goods and has subsequently had a difficult time competing with China in world markets. Building on this previous work, in this paper we conduct a comparative analysis of the role of government policies in industrial learning and the development of capabilities of indigenous firms in Mexico and China in order to shed light on why China is outperforming Mexico. We find that Mexico and China have had starkly different approaches to economic reform in this area. Mexico’s approach to reform has been followed a “neo-liberal” path, whereas China’s approach could be described as “neo-developmental.” Mexico’s hands-off approach to learning has resulted in a lack of development of endogenous capacity of domestic firms, little transfer of technology, negligible progress in the upgrading of industrial production, and little increase in value added of exports. By contrast, China has deployed a hands-on approach of targeting and nurturing domestic firms through a gradual and trial and error led set of government policies. |
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| #149 | Eradicating Poverty in India: Lessons from Experiments in Empowerment by Beena Pandey Abstract: This paper was prepared as a part of SACEPS/CPD (Dhaka) larger study on the role of empowerment of the poor through asset transfers in poverty alleviation. The paper analyzes the importance of structural interventions through asset ownership by the poor and helping them to move up the value chain. It explores the India’s experience in addressing poverty in cooperative sector, through self-help groups (SHGs) and some initiatives taken by the private sector of empowering making small and poorer producers as stakeholders of their supply chains. This includes case studies of AMUL in cooperatives, Lijjat Papad in SHGs and Tata Tea’s worker-ownership scheme in tea plantations. It also draws some policy implications of these selected case studies. |
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| #148 | India’s Outward Foreign Direct Investments in Steel Industry in a Chinese Comparative Perspective by Nagesh Kumar and Alka Chadha Abstract: Indian and Chinese enterprises have emerged as important outward investors in recent times with their involvement in a number of prominent Greenfield investments and acquisitions. The theory of international business posits that the ownership of some unique advantages having a revenue generating potential abroad combined with the presence of internalization and locational advantages leads to outward FDI. Conventional MNEs based in the industrialized countries have grown on the strength of ownership advantages derived from innovatory activity that is largely concentrated in these countries. It examines the case of steel industry that has become an important sector of overseas activity for Chinese and Indian companies with a string of major acquisitions of foreign MNEs for acquiring footprints and natural resources in order to identify the sources of ownership advantages and strategies of outward investments from emerging countries. JEL code: O1, L61 Keywords: FDI outflows from emerging markets, steel, India, China |
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| #147 | India’s Role in East Asia: Lessons from Cultural and Historical Linkages by Ellen L. Frost Abstract: India’s presence in the East Asia Summit signals not only a victory for New Delhi’s “Look East” policy but also an implicit “Look West” policy on the part of India’s neighbors to the east. This convergence represents not only a major economic opportunity for India but also a long-term strategic shift in regional order. The purpose of this essay is to demonstrate that for historical, cultural, political as well as for substantial economic reasons India belongs to the East Asian table. It is time to “re-center” our notions of Asia so that maps and other geographic concepts reflect India’s resurgent links with eastern neighbors. India’s political role in the Asian integration movement underscores this need. One of the key opportunities for policy makers is to revive and build on India’s historical and cultural legacy in Asia without appearing to be seeking hegemony or trumpeting a chauvinist vision. |
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2008 |
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| #146 | Livestock Industrialization, Trade and Social-Health-Environment Impacts in Developing Countries: A Case of Indian Poultry Sectors by Rajesh Mehta, Clare A. Narrod and Marites M. Tiongco Abstract: This paper presents the results of an empirical study of the Indian Poultry Industry which is specially focused on the social and environmental outcomes generated by the rapidly increasing scale of egg and broiler production in India. Among the effects of these rapid changes that occurred in the poultry industry include increased risk for animal health, changes in demand patters in terms of amount, quality, and food safety, higher prices for high value items; but there is also a threat to smallholders that they will be excluded from more demanding markets. There are important questions, which have arisen with the industrialization of poultry activity in India. Is the scaling up of production driving small producers to disadvantage on account of high transaction costs, policy distortions and environment externalities? Why do some poultry farms have higher incomes than others? Do large farms earn more profit per unit of output than small farms? What explains the differentials in efficiency? An attempt is made here to take stock of these changes and to assess their social and environmental outcomes particularly those that affect the welfare of poor. The paper starts by examining the state of the Indian Poultry Industry, then it goes in dealing with selected socio-economic, health, and environment changes that affect the competitiveness of livestock production including domestic institutional arrangement of food safety standards. Keywords: Indian poultry sector, livestock industrialization, competitiveness, transaction costs, environmental externalities, contract farming. |
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| #145 | South-South and Triangular Cooperation in Asia-Pacific: Towards a New Paradigm in Development Cooperations by Nagesh Kumar Abstract: SSC and TDC in Asia-Pacific have grown in importance over the past decades with the rising complementarities and emergence of growth poles in the region and due to attention paid by the governments to regional economic cooperation. Asian emerging countries have been cooperating with their partner countries within and outside the region primarily through sharing of development experiences, cooperation projects, capacity building, technical assistance, but increasingly also including subsidized lines of credit and grants, preferential market access on unilateral and reciprocal basis. Against that background, this paper reviews the relevance of SSC and TDC and the emerging trends and patterns in Asian context. It then discusses the policy challenges for exploiting the full potential of SSC and TDC and enhancing their effectiveness. |
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| #144 | Exchange Rate Pass-through in India’s Exports to Developed and Emerging Markets by Sushanta Mallick and Helena Marques Abstract: This paper studies the pricing to market (PTM) behaviour of Indian exporters during the economic reforms period (1992-2005). A PTM model has been estimated using panel data at the four-digit level of classification for the G3 and three emerging markets (Brazil, China and South Africa), distinguishing also homogeneous from differentiated goods. Overall, we observe that there is clear evidence of incomplete exchange rate pass-through (ERPT) to buyers’ currency prices. This degree of ERPT is net of changes in the level of protection faced by India’s exporters (import tariffs in destination markets), inflation and openness in the export destination market, a macroeconomic policy index partly reflecting changes in exporter’s costs, the share of the exporter in the destination market and the share of the product in the exporter’s total exports. When distinguishing between G3 and emerging markets, the empirical results indicate that Indian firms do practice PTM and have some pricing power in G3 markets, but they fully pass-through the exchange rate changes in emerging markets. On the contrary, Indian exporters seem to be taking advantage of trade liberalisation in destination markets by marginally increasing the exporter currency prices into emerging markets but not into the G3. We also find a similar impact of trade liberalisation in the case of differentiated goods. |
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| #143 | Changing Economic Power by Manmohan Agarwal Abstract: The paper finds that economic performance of most regions of the world economy except Asia, both East and South, has suffered since the 1973-74 price rise. China and India have been the fastest growing economies, and have been growing faster than the other emerging economies, Brazil, Mexico, Russia and S. Africa. Continuation of these trends is likely to result in the emerging economies accounting for a much larger share of the world’s GDP than they do currently. The largest part of this increase would be because of China’s performance with India also contributing a significant portion. The increase in the shares of the other economies would be more limited. While China and would significantly narrow the gap in the size of their GDP with that of the US they would continue to lag substantially behind the US in per capita income. It is therefore essential that these economies continue to grow rapidly even beyond the period of analysis here for per capita incomes of these economies to catch up with that in the US. |
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| #142 | Transportation Cost and Trade Competitiveness: Empirical Evidence from India by Prabir De and Bhisma Rout Abstract: India has been witnessing a sharp rise in merchandise trade and showing greater trade interdependence on a large variety of goods, particularly in intermediate and capital goods. However, higher transportation costs continue to impede India’s trade. Costlier transportation prohibits trade in India and taxes the trade in the way tariff does. This paper provides sufficient evidence to ascertain that variations in ad-valorem transportation costs strongly influence trade flows in India. Another conclusion of this paper is that transportation cost is relatively more important than tariff in enhancing India’s merchandise trade. Reduction in transportation costs should therefore get utmost priority while formulating policy for India’s infrastructure development and trade facilitation since the fall in transportation costs, as an outcome of improved infrastructure, will stimulate trade. The challenge for India is thus to identify improvements in trade facilitation, logistics services and related infrastructure that can be achieved in the short-to-medium term and that would have a significant impact on trade competitiveness of India. |
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| #141 | Rediscovering the Role of Developing Countries in GATT before the Doha Round by Faizel Ismail Abstract:Developing countries have been characterized as having played an essentially defensive role in the GATT, unwilling to make tariff concessions, and have focused almost exclusively on securing Special and Differential Treatment concessions. These three perspectives have become part of the conventional wisdom in the academic literature on the GATT. The paper argues that the conventional argument is not an accurate description of the role of developing countries in the ITO and the GATT. |
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| #140 | Internationalization of Indian Enterprises: Patterns, Strategies, Ownership Advantages and Implications by Nagesh Kumar Abstract: The recent spate of large cross-border acquisitions e.g. Tata Steel-Corus, Hindalco-Novelis, and Tata Motors-Jaguar/Land Rover, among others and Greenfield investments by Indian companies have helped in focusing attention on the emergence of new corporate players on the global scene. India’s emergence as a source of FDI outflows is impressive for its level of development. It is argued that the destinations, sectoral composition, motivations, and entry strategies of Indian investments have been changing with magnitudes. This paper examines the sources of Indian companies’ ownership advantages and trends, patterns and implications. It has been argued that the source of their ownership or competitive advantage lies in their accumulation of skills for managing large multi-location operations across diverse cultures in India and in their ability to deliver value for money with their ‘frugal engineering skills’ honed up while catering to the larger part of income pyramid in India. Keywords: outward investment, emerging multinationals, Indian multinationals, India, internationalization of Indian companies, acquisitions by Indian companies, ownership advantages of Indian multinationals JEL Codes: F21, F23. |
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| #139 | Emerging Patterns in Architecture for Management of Economic Assistance and Development Cooperation: Implications and Challenges for India by Sachin Chaturvedi Abstract: With sharp economic growth, the international focus on ‘aid’ programmes of emerging economies, including India, has gone up considerably. The timing of Indian announcement, of setting up of a new and specialised agency for international cooperation, has further fuelled global speculations about an ambitious Indian ‘commercial agenda.’ As most of the traditional donors are trying to achieve harmonisation and transparency under Paris Declaration, OECD has called for global discipline in the aid programmes. China has proposed supporting a UN-led initiative instead of joining OECD. While India has major challenge of putting its house in order, it can no longer overlook international placing of its ‘aid’ programmes, which so far have been projected as a part of South-South cooperation. Key Words: India Development Cooperation; South-South Cooperation; IIDCA; Foreign Policy; Economic Partnership; OECD. |
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| #138 | Rise of BICS and the World Economy Implications of India’s Recent Expansion on Developing Countries by S.K. Mohanty Abstract: The rise of emerging countries has caused a profound impact on the balance of economic powers in the global economy. With the upsurge of the emerging economies, global disparity between countries has not only been reduced but many of these fast rising economies are also likely to surpass the gross domestic product (GDP) of some of the most affluent economies of the North in the next couple of years. Many studies have envisaged that the emerging BICS countries (Brazil, India, China, and South Africa) can overtake the economic accomplishments achieved by many industrialized countries. The present study empirically examined some of these broad assertions, and found that the rise of the emerging countries would reduce the development gap between developed and developing countries and also enormously sustain development efforts of developing countries by providing greater market access. India, with a distinct development strategy, has the potential to influence economic activities of many countries in Asia as well as the world economy in the future. |
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| #137 | Emerging Countries as Sources of Investment and Appropriate Technology: Case Study of India by Sachin Chaturvedi Abstract: BICS have developed strong linkages with fellow developing countries in the realms of trade, investment and technology. This paper analyses the major trends in India’s linkages with other developing countries with specific focus on technology. It has come out that there are several sub-fields of technology which are of economic importance where linkages of India in a South South cooperation framework have benefited several economies. The paper has elaborated upon select sectors with identification of possible factors facilitating these linkages. Four key drivers for South-South linkages are identified. viz. factor endowment, cost effective professional services, and ability to scale down. The collaborations have gone beyond manpower training programmes, skill upgradation to more substantive contributions like in production and exports of technology intensive goods and services. |
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| #136 | Potential of Asian Economic Integration: A Perspective from the Strategy of Japanese Enterprises by Tetsuji Kawamura Abstract: The progress of the cooperation and economic integration of the region has a big potentiality for further industrial and economic development of the whole Asian region in general. IT industries have big potentiality for the future economic development of each country in the region. IT sectors will stimulate high-tech and lead the technological innovations in the economy and possibly lead the economic development of the region. Japanese firms have significant roles, as demonstrated by the experiences over the past three decades. The effective transfer of its capability-building system, or its significant human resources management and development system still has the key importance. |
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| #135 | East Asian Infrastructure Development in a Comparative Global Perspective: An Analysis of RIS Infrastructure Index by Nagesh Kumar & Prabir De Abstract: Development of infrastructure is one of the key priorities of East Asia Summit (EAS) countries. By constructing an Infrastructure Index for 104 countries comprising all the EAS members, this paper examines the levels of infrastructure attainment of EAS countries in a comparative global perspective over time and space. It makes observations on the gaps between EAS countries in terms of infrastructure development, their overtime performance, and provides some policy recommendations for narrowing the gaps. The Infrastructure Index developed in this paper reveals very wide gaps in terms of infrastructure attainment across the EAS region, which seem to have widened rather than narrowed over time. The findings of this paper suggest that infrastructure development in the lagging EAS region needs to be paid due attention if the regional inequalities are not to widen further. The paper recommends creating a regional mechanism in order to utilize the region’s foreign exchange reserves for development of regional cross-border connectivity and other infrastructure services, which, if followed, will not only assist in generation of new demand within the region but also strengthen the regional integration process in EAS. |
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| #134 |
India-Africa Economic Partnership: Trends and Prospects by S. K. Mohanty & Sachin Chaturvedi Abstract: With the growing internationalisation, the traditional old linkages between India and Africa are gradually emerging as a dynamic and vibrant trade and investment partnership, benefiting all the partner economies. The rapid economic transformation of Indian economy and her emergence as major market has provided huge opportunities to the partner countries. The trade between India and Africa has almost doubled in last couple of years with rapid rise in Indian investments in the region. This may contribute substantively towards South-South cooperation model as was perceived at Bandung. It is in this context that India and Africa are also playing a key role at various global fora such as WTO. Keywords: India; Africa; Trade; Investment. |
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| #133 |
Towards An Asian “Bretton Woods” for Restructuring of the Regional Financial Architecture by Ramgopal Agarwala Abstract: Despite a plethora of programs for increased financial co-operation in Asia, there has been very little real progress in developing a regional architecture for financial co-operation in Asia. While the risks of repetition of 1997-98 style financial crisis in Asia are not high today, there are new risks of financial turbulence originating from sub-prime crisis in the US and new opportunities for using the financial strength of the region for accelerated growth with equity. To guard against these risks and to exploit these opportunities, a bold new initiative in the region is needed. The idea of Asian Monetary Fund proposed by Japan in 1998 needs to be revived, perhaps with a different nomenclature and a different terms of reference. This paper proposes a Reserve Bank of Asia which will be a combination of IMF and the World Bank at regional level. In order to respond to the current crisis, the major players in the region should develop a consensus on the outline of a regional financial architecture and call a conference of EAS countries to prepare Articles of Agreement for the institution much as was done at Bretton Woods some sixty years ago. |
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| #132 |
The WTO’s Doha Negotiations: An Assessmenta by Bhagirath Lal Das Abstract: The lure of big benefits from successful conclusion of the multilateral negotiations and the risks of bilateral and regional routes if these negotiations fail should not be taken by the developing countries as determining factors in their moves in the current WTO Doha negotiations. Working together, the developing countries have much greater negotiating strength than if they were to form small interest groups and negotiate with the major developed countries separately. Such cohesion of strength and strategy can be built up on the basis of mutual trust and recognition of various interests among them. If there are conflicting interests sometimes, there would be a need for rational adjustment. Total transparency among the developing countries and being continuously on guard against mutual suspicion are important preconditions for deepening their cooperation and consolidation in multilateral negotiations. |
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2007 |
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| #131 |
Regional Cooperation and Integration Prospects in Asia by Rajat Nag Abstract: There is indeed a strong opportunity for South Asian countries to benefit from intensifying regional ties. As a regional policy dialogue becomes stronger and barriers are gradually eliminated, or at least substantially reduced, economic integration will intensify in the next decade or two. This is partly due to the very low level of integration it starts from. For instance, intraregional trade in South Asia accounts for only 5.5 per cent of total trade, as opposed to East Asia’s almost 60 per cent. As the region continues to build its economic infrastructure and new cross-border projects are implemented, these will not only intensify trade in goods and services, but also facilitate the movement of people. Easing existing cross-border impediments to trade and labour movements, will likely be the strongest economic driver over the coming decade. But the key to any experiment in cooperation and economic integration is political will. |
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| #130 |
Deepening India–Bangladesh Economic Cooperation:Challenges and Opportunities by Prabir De and Biswa N. Bhattacharya Abstract: In recent years, South Asia has received growing attention as a region that is integrating successfully into the global economy. To maximize the benefits in terms of faster growth and poverty reduction, the region will need to strengthen regional and bilateral cooperation in several areas. In this context, closer bilateral cooperation and integration between major South Asian countries, such as between India and Bangladesh, will strengthen the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and help ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of their activities. Cultural, trade, and economic exchanges between the two countries are long standing. Rapid domestic economic development and mutual cooperation have demonstrated broad prospects for further cooperation between the two countries. A remarkable growth in two-way trade between India and Bangladesh has resulted in robust growth of the economies in the region. Compared with their strength, much potential exists for developing trade and economic relations between the two countries. This paper discusses various opportunities and associated prospects and problems in strengthening the India–Bangladesh economic cooperation and integration agenda in the context of SAARC. JEL Classifications: F10, F15, R40s. |
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| #129 |
Intellectual Property Regime, Indigenous Knowledge System and Access and Benefit Sharing: Drawing Lessons from Kani Case by Sachin Chaturvedi Abstract: Since the Doha Ministerial, the developing countries have been raising issues related to the indigenous knowledge system (IKS) and access and benefit sharing (ABS) in context of conflict between the CBD and the TRIPs. Though the Doha Development Agenda (Paragraph 19) did acknowledge the need of CBD and TRIPs relationship to be looked into, however most of the developed countries rejected ABS on the pretext that the ABS is not a viable preposition and that ABS should be addressed at the national level rather than placing it as part of multilateral regime. The emerging evidence from Kani case in India suggests that a nuanced approach to the benefit sharing regime may help in ensuring equitable distribution of gains through a formal mechanism which may prove out to be sustainable in long run. The study also shows that national regimes are not sufficient to check global misappropriation of IKS. Keywords: IKS, ABS, TRIPs, CBD, Kani and India.IC. |
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| #128 |
WTO and Trade in Electronically Delivered Software (EDS): Emerging Challenges and Policy Options - An Indian Perspective by Sachin Chaturvedi and S. K. Mohanty Abstract: In this paper the authors make an effort to address the concerned issues in light of Indian experience with the usage of ICT in trade transactions. The Section II summarises key issues being debated at various committees of WTO while Section III provides India’s growing interests in software exports. Section IV enumerates the perspectives on emerging debate at the multilateral fora and also provides policy recommendations. |
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| #127 |
Brazilian Economy: Recent Evolution and New Perspectives for South-South Cooperation by Maria Lúcia L.M. Pádua Lima Abstract: The paper begins by analysing the Brazilian economic development stressing the external sector of its economy. Brazil is already an important product player in food trade and could be, in the future, a very significant player in the international commerce of biofuel and bioproducts. For this reason, this paper also focuses on the Brazilian experiences in the production of food, bioproducts and energy generated by renewable sources taking sugarcan as a specific instance. The Brazilian competitiveness in the agricultural sector required a great deal of research effort and technological improvements, especially in the production of biofuel and bioproducts. On the other hand, some Brazilian studies indicate a noteworthy capacity of this kind of agricultural chain to incorporate the work force in the rural areas. Finally, the paper discusses the feasibility of reproducing abroad the successful agricultural Brazilian experience. This could be a very promising subject for the South-South cooperation. |
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| #126 |
Welfare Gains from Regional Economic Integration in Asia: ASEAN+3 or EAS by S.K. Mohanty and Sanjib Pohiti Abstract: The experiences of Asian countries suggest that the region has substantial economic potentials and synergies between these countries can be better tapped with comprehensive economic cooperation. With this approach formation of an Asian Economic Community is not too far away from now. Next phase of liberalisation in Asia should focus on deep economic integration. Sitting on the driving seat, ASEAN’s economic liberalisation in Asia. The core issue is , which group of countries between ASEAN+3 and East Asian Summit (EAS) countries, would elicit maximum benefit to the region in general and ASEAN in particular? Using an Applied General Equilibrium model in a monopolistic framework, the paper suggest that next Round of economic liberalisation may start with EAS. |
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| #125 |
Investment Provisions in Regional Trading Arrangements in Asia: Relevance, Emerging Trends, and Policy Implications by Nagesh Kumar |
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| #124 |
Indian Innovation Systems and Emergence of Biopharmaceutical Sector: Issues and Prospects by Sachin Chaturvedi Abstract: The prospective entry of generic dominated Indian pharmaceutical sector in the ambit of new technologies is likely to give filip to emergence of strong biopharmaceutical sector.It is pertinent in this context to draw a policy roadmap which takes into account sectoral dynamics and draws upon regional and international linkages. An appropriate balance between national system of innovation (NSI) and sectoral system of innovation (SSI) would determine trajactory of growth of this sector. Keywords: NSI, SSI, Biopharmaceutical and India. |
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| #123 |
Regional Economic Integration, Foreign Direct Investment and Efficiency-Seeking Industrial Restructuring in Asia: The Case of India by Nagesh Kumar Abstract: This paper examines the India’s RTAs policy in Asia and the emerging patterns of efficiency-seeking industrial restructuring unleashed by it. Section 2 provides a discussion of the analytical relationship between RTAs, patterns of trade, FDI resulting from the industrial restructuring. It also summarizes some examples of industrial restructuring of the type the EU’s Single Market Plan has led to. Section 3 summarizes the India’s RTA policy in Asia and indicators of its growing economic integration with East Asian countries. Section 4 highlights the emerging patterns of industrial restructuring resulting from India’s RTA’s policy. Section 5 concludes the paper with a few remarks on the importance of a broader framework for regional economic integration. |
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| #122 |
Community-based Rights and IPR Regime: Revisiting the Debate by Srividhya Ragavan & Jamie Mayer Abstract: This paper examines whether the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Act 2001 along with the proposed Seed Bill fulfills India’s obligations under Article 27.3 of TRIPS. Further, the paper analyzes the benefits India is likely to derive from fulfilling these obligations. Thus, Part I examines Article 27.3 of TRIPS to analyze the constituents of the “effectiveness” requirement of the article. In analyzing whether the sui generis system in UPOV is effective, Part II details that UPOV’s effectiveness is questionable considering that it has diluted eligibility standards, exaggerated scope of breeders’ rights, and limited exceptions to breeders’ rights. Part III, examines the effectiveness of PPVFA and the proposed Seeds Bill. This part concludes that India should refrain from enacting the Seeds Bill but should, instead, strengthen the PPVFA by plugging existing loopholes to achieve national objectives. The conclusion highlights PBRs per se can potentially lead to increased research in agriculture despite the resulting privatization/ monopolization. |
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| #121 |
India’s Rising Role in Asia by Mukul G. Asher Abstract: This paper analyses recent developments in India’s external economic relations, with particular reference to Asia. India’s demonstrated capacity to sustain moderately high growth over a prolonged period, primarily led by private-sector companies provides an avenue for global risk diversification for major economic powers. The paper demonstrates that India’s qualitative and quantitative integration with the rest of Asia (and the world) is far deeper than commonly perceived. India must continue with the integration process; and with efforts to shift to 8 to 10 per cent sustained growth path if it is to reduce poverty and improve quality of life of its 1.1 billion people. There is no room for complacency as India faces severe challenges in sustaining and developing competitiveness in manufacturing, agriculture and services. Higher growth path will require enhancing complementarities and cooperation among public and private sectors; and taking advantage of India’s demographic trends. The paper strongly urges India’s political parties, media, and other elites to strategically and vigorously pursue country’s core economic and strategic interests to meet challenges arising from competing nations. |
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| #120 |
Relevance of ‘Policy Space’ for Development: Implications for Multilateral Trade Negotiations by Nagesh Kumar and Kevin P. Gallagher Abstract: This paper makes a compelling case for public intervention for fostering industrial development. We have also summarized evidence that suggests that present day developed countries have extensively employed infant industry protection, industrial policy and performance requirements, soft intellectual property protection regimes, subsidies, government procurement and regional economic integration among other policies in their process of industrialization. Many of these policies have also been effectively and successfully emulated by the newly industrializing economies in East Asia to build internationally competitive modern industries despite the lack of the apparent comparative advantage. A development-friendly outcome of the Doha Round would provide flexibility from the TRIPs and TRIMs obligations for facilitating transfer of technology and building up local capabilities in developing countries besides allowing them adequate space for pursuing infant industry protection in the tariff reduction commitments. |
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| #119 |
India-Sri Lanka Bilateral Free Trade Agreement: Six Years Performance and Beyond by Saman Kelegama And Indra Nath Mukherji Abstract: India-Sri Lanka Bilateral Free Trade Agreement signed in1998 was a pioneering attempt in the direction of trade liberalization in South Asian region. This paper examines the performance of the Agreement in the first six years of its coming into being and draws lessons from its success that could be relevant in the context of SAFTA and other such initiatives. Section 1 of the paper gives an overview of the history of Indo-Lanka trade links and the birth of the Indo- SriLanka Bilateral Trade Agreement. It also talks about the conceptualization of the ILBFTA. Section 2 highlights the positive outcomes of the ILBFTA. Section 3 highlights the negative outcomes and problematic areas that have caught the attention of the trade negotiators. Section 4 describes the steps taken and progress made in moving the FTA towards a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Section 5 discusses about lessons from six years of success. |
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| #118 |
Trade Facilitation Measures in South Asian FTAs: An Overview of Initiatives and Policy Approaches by Sachin Chaturvedi |
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2006 |
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| #117 |
Emerging Multinationals: Trends, Patterns and Determinants of Outward Investment by Indian Enterprises by Nagesh Kumar |
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| #116 |
Addressing Global Growth Asymmetries through Regional Trade Integration: Some Explorations by Ram Upendra Das & Ramaa Sambamurty Abstract: Globalization process has entailed trade openness, greater emphasis on foreign direct investment, stabilization policies, redefining the role of the state, among others. Given that another major global trend observed is one of regional trade integration, the paper explores whether due to this trend there has been any concrete relationship with the growth convergence/divergence outcomes. Tests of Beta-convergence under different model specifications suggest that over time developed and developing countries have not converged in terms of their real per capita GDP though they have converged within their own groups of developed and developing countries. Thus, it is concluded that regional trade integration leads to growth convergence regionally and both openness to global trade and regional trade openness are important. However, the results of the paper need to be interpreted with caution due to the presence of non-stationarity, though the problem is not uniform across variables, tests and regional groupings. A policy inference that can be drawn is that at the global level ‘economic cooperation for economic growth convergence’ needs to be flagged and appropriate institutional mechanisms created to intensify the processes of trade and FDI integration. Broadly, the results are in consonance with the predictions of the New Growth Theories. |
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| #115 |
Trade Facilitation and Customs Valuations in India : Identifying the Gaps by Sachin Chaturvedi Abstract: In recent past, India has taken several measures to implement the trade facilitation measures. These have helped the private sector in a major way and have also helped in setting the stage for a WTO agreement in this regard which is all set to be launched – depending on the negotiation dynamics. However, one of the key areas of concern among the private sector firms has been the one related to the customs valuation. There are varying perceptions regarding the implementation of WTO Customs Valuation (CV) Agreement in India especially in the context of trade facilitation (TF). In this paper, we present results of a survey conducted to understand the major issues confronting this important link of CV to achieve a TF friendly trade regime in India. After interviewing a large number of firms, custom house agents and government officials we found that the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) and Ministry of Finance have put in place a large administrative set up to implement India’s commitments to the CV agreement. The introduction of risk management system (RMS) has provided a great support to the accredited traders as their consignments are cleared at much faster track. However, there are still many cases where industry has to wait for long in getting the goods cleared. There are several reasons responsible for this situation including the large number of cases in which under invoicing is done especially by the traders which triggers a much closer examination of goods and hence much longer time in clearance and this also invites the discretionary powers being used by the customs. Other challenges come from the lack of clear instructions to the ground staff on new technology goods, the import of which is expanding at a fast pace. A greater coordination between industry and customs agencies and intense training programmes for the ground staff may help in a major way to overcome these constraints. |
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| #114 |
India’s Regional Trading Arrangements by Rajesh Mehta and S. Narayanan Abstract: This paper presents a brief non-technical overview of the conceptual basis of RTAs by highlighting the implications of concepts like trade creation and trade diversion. The paper then moves to pinpointing some of the global trends in RTAs to place the Indian engagements in a perspective. The patterns of India’s regional economic initiatives are analyzed by presenting the factual account of the same. A brief over view of possible welfare and human development implications of RTAs in general and of India in particular are also dealt. |
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| #113 |
FDI and Spillover Effects in the Indian Pharmaceutical Industry by Annika Bergman Abstract: Abstract: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is widely considered to be beneficial for the host economy since it can result in positive externalities (spillover effects) through various transmission channels, for instance, transfer of technology, increased competition and imitation effects. This study analyses intra-industry spillover effects of FDI in the pharmaceutical industry in India. A literature review, interviews and an econometric analysis are carried out in order to examine FDI’s impact on the industry. The Indian pharmaceutical industry has developed through a range of governmental incentives and, foreign firms that have invested in the industry, have additionally contributed to the growth. The results are mixed. Spillover effects are visible in many of the spillover channels from FDI and the regression results show that firms with foreign ownership experience higher productivity levels. However, the correlation between FDI and productivity in domestic firms is insignificant, due to various reasons depending on whether the benefits from FDI are materialized, local firms’ absorptive capability and factors such as the market structure, competitiveness, trade and technological policies. It is in the interest of the state to provide public policies and a sound economic environment to encourage benefit from FDI. |
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| #112 |
Regional Cooperation for Asian Energy Security by Vipul Tuli Abstract: This paper attempts to convey three key messages: First, we believe interdependence in energy among Asian countries is vital for the economic development of key Asian countries. Second, there are several key impediments to increasing Asian interdependence; we believe addressing these impediments is critical. Finally, we suggest some ideas on opportunities for Asian nations to find a common ground on energy security, stability and sustainability. |
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| #111 |
Demographic Complementarities and Outsourcing: Implications and Challenges for India by Mukul G. Asher and Amarendu Nandy Abstract: This paper analyses the implications of differing global demographic trends for India’s competitiveness in outsourcing and offshoring. It also briefly notes the implications of differing demographic trends among the Indian states. The paper argues that demographic complementarities with high-income countries provide India with one-time opportunity to sustain its growth rate and occupy all segments of global outsourcing and offshoring activities. India has used the labor cost advantage to gain reasonable market share in these activities. It however faces serious internal and external challenges in sustaining its international competitiveness, particularly with respect to labor cost. With sustained focus on human resource development, diversification and upgradation policies India can continue to atleast maintain its global market share, and help nurture globally competitive companies. |
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| #110 |
Reinventing UNCTAD: Some Proposals for the UNCTAD Mid-term Review by Muchkund Dubey Abstract: Developed countries have made a concerted effort to change and dismantle UNCTAD over a period of nearly 15 years. It may take the developing countries many years to revive and reinvent the organization. But, UNCTAD must recover its voice and regain the support and respect of developing countries who have identified with it and its mission for decades. There cannot be a more opportune moment than now to begin a campaign to restore the pre-eminence of UNCTAD and bring it back to the forefront of multilateral effort to deal with the current complex global development challenges and build a stable, viable and genuinely democratic international community. UNCTAD’s broad mandate is singularly suited for a new age where promoting development, democracy and equity is one of the principal challenges and pre-conditions for a peaceful and cooperative world. |
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| #109 |
Trade Facilitation Priorities in India and Commitments at WTO: An Overview of Current Trends by Sachin Chaturvedi Abstract: The current mandate of the Negotiating Group for Trade Facilitation (NGTF) is to clarify and improve the three articles, viz. Articles V, VIII and X of the GATT 1994. India has initiated several measures as part of the Trade Facilitation (TF) programme. While most of the measures have already been put in place in the context of Articles VIII and X, the ones left involve significant costs and require careful planning for implementation. In case of Article V, there are certainly major gaps. In countries like India, where trade facilitation is an ongoing exercise, precise cost estimation is a difficult preposition.This includes additional efforts required to support and strengthen the level of communication at the border points. Most of the Land Customs Stations (LCSs) require better infrastructure. The current TF programme may have to go beyond current mandate and take into account specific WTO commitments which may emerge during the ongoing negotiations as per the GATT Articles V, VIII and X. In this paper, an effort is made to take stock of the needs, priorities and cost of implementation of these Articles for India. These ground realities hold important implications for any undertaking by India at the TF negotiations of the WTO. However, given the considerable infrastructural gaps, the Indian negotiating team should exhibit extreme caution towards the new proposals and ideas but should display pragmatism, at least for the measures that have already been implemented in India. |
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| #108 |
Towards Comprehensive Economic Co-operation between India and Central Asian Republics by Ramgopal Agarwala Abstract: Despite some recovery in recent years, Central Asian Republics (CARs) remain in difficult economic situation and they present a serious challenge to Asia. It is in the mutual interest of both CARs and rest of Asia (including India) to explore the avenues for more intensive regional economic co-operation. This paper argues how India can be more active by: (a) giving intellectual confidence to CARs in developing and implementing their own Eurasian model of development which follows a middle path on both democracy and markets; (b) providing financial and technical resources to revive their agriculture , industry and services; and (c) improving connectivity and liberalizing trade and investment regimes for greater exchange of goods, services and capital. |
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| #107 |
Monetary and Financial Cooperation in Asia:Emerging Trends and Prospects by Ramkishen S. Rajan Abstract: Ever since the currency crisis of 1997-98 there has been a great deal of interest in enhancing regional economic cooperation in Asia. It is important to keep in mind that economic regionalism is multidimensional nature. The focus of this paper is on policy initiatives underway in Asia to enhance monetary and financial regionalism and the analytical bases for these initiatives, rather than on examining the de facto level of financial and monetary links that already exists (which may or may not have been facilitated via regional policy mechanisms). There are many gradations of monetary and financial regional cooperation, ranging from the weak form involving regional policy dialogue and surveillance, on the one hand, to exchange rate and monetary coordination, on the other. To maintain focus, this paper concentrates more narrowly on “medium forms” of monetary and financial regionalism, broadly defined as the development of regional liquidity arrangements and regional financial markets. |
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| #106 | Japan and an Asian Economic Community by Masanori Kondo Abstract: Until recently, most Japanese considered the gaining momentum of Asian economic integration in the frame of ASEAN+3. With India maintaining a high economic growth rate and its population being predicted to overtake China as the most populous country in Asia is leading many to rethink the importance of India to Asian economic integration. In order to find a political and economic counterbalance to China, the Japanese government has also put effort in vitalizing the Japan-India relationship. India following its ‘Look East’ policy has been successful in improving its economic relations with Korea, China and Japan. However, with some exceptions, Japanese businesses are behind other countries (especially US, UK, and South Korea) towards investing in India. While there are indeed many unique difficulties involved in entering the Indian market, the massive consumer potential of the population combined with a skilled and numerous labour pool allows many South Korean and American firms to attain great success there. Japanese and Indian policymakers have great designs for the relationship between the two countries, but it is only when Japanese firms step up and make the needed large scale commitment in India that Indo-Japanese trade will start to grow. |
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2005 |
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| #105 |
India-Vietnam Trade: Current Relations and Prospects by Rajesh Mehta Abstract: The main objective of this paper is to analyse the level, growth and composition of India-Vietnam Trade in goods, identify sectors/products in which India has export potential in Vietnam, if a duty free regime is agreed between India and Vietnam, and examine the implication of India-Vietnam bilateral free trade agreement. Our preliminary results show that India has export potential in number of sectors, if a duty free regime is agreed between Indian and Vietnam. The identified commodity groups are: edible fruits and nuts, etc., textile and apparel, fruit bear etc., and transport vehicles. These commodity groups have been identified on the basis of criteria that India has comparative advantage, Vietnam has import demand, and Vietnam has relatively high levels of MFN tariffs. |
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| #104 | Trade in IBSA Economic Cooperation: The Role of Transportation Linkages by Prabir De Abstract: India, Brazil, and South Africa (IBSA) derive from world’s three continents, which together share 20 percent of world population and 10 percent of world surface area and contribute 4 percent of world GDP and 2 percent of world trade. This paper finds that one of the strongest barriers to trade at present in IBSA appears to be the weak transport connectivity. The present study explores the possibilities of strengthening transport network in IBSA to deepen the trilateral cooperation. The paper calls for urgent task to adopt communication enhancement policy in IBSA to attain a modest growth in regional trade. |
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| #103 |
Trade and Environment in the WTO: Negotiating Options for Developing Countries by Sanjay Kumar and Nupur Chowdhury Abstract: The debate on the trade related environment issues has intensified in the Doha Round at WTO. The idea is to ensure sustainable development as proclaimed in the Preamble to the Marrakesh Agreement. At the Doha Ministerial Conference, Committee on Trade and Environment and the Committee on Trade and Development at the WTO were asked to act as a forum in which the environmental and developmental aspects of the negotiations launched at Doha could be debated. The Paragraph 31 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration is the operative paragraph that sets the guidelines for negotiations on the relationship between WTO rules and specific trade obligations as set out in MEAs and on the reduction or, as appropriate, the elimination of tariff and non-tariff barriers to environmental goods and services. This has encouraged India and other developing countries to approach the trade and environment debate in a new dimension. The project based approach instead of the usual list based approach is a major addition to this new strategy, developing countries seems to be thinking of to keep commitment for the sustainable development at the centre stage. The new approach may also help in ensuring access to environmentally sound technologies urgently needed by many developing and least developed countries. |
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| #102 |
Prospects for Environmental Trade under the Regional Process in South Asia: Evidence from SAPTA and Proposals for SAFTA by S.K. Mohanty and Sachin Chaturvedi Abstract: The debate about identification of environmentally sensitive goods (ESGs) is highly complex as discussed in the economic literature. In the context of SAFTA, ESGs assumes significance as the region is significantly dependent on these products for trade. In this paper an attempt has been made to formulate a new approach to identify ESGs, and the same definition is used to analyses the nature of trade flows in the South Asian region. The implications of three Rounds of SAPTA trade liberalization in ESGs trade is examined at a disaggregated level separately. The empirical exercise indicates that South Asia has a large market for these products, and nearly one quarter of the regional trade is falling under the medium and high technology product groups. The study has prepared a road map for setoral trade liberalization, which would promote intra-regional trade in ESG products under SAFTA. An effort has been made to suggest counter balancing measures to minimize negative environmental implications of possible trade expansion once SAFTA is implemented. |
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| #101 |
Emergence of China and India in the New Millennium: Will it Facilitate Market Access for LDCs and Developing Countries? by S.K. Mohanty and Sachin Chaturvedi Abstract: China and India have emerged as highly dynamic economies in recent years. In the Asian region their growth and economic expansion has generated its own complementarities. The paper has empirically shown that surge in the exports of these two countries have significantly contributed to their overall economic growth. Towards this end, both the countries have relied on LDCs and developing countries for their imports and on markets of industrialised economies for exports. The import dependence of India and China is mostly on the industrial intermediate sector, which is critical for their exports. It is advantageous for LDCs and developing countries to closely tie up with these growing economies to get in to their fast expanding markets, but the process is not automatic. Developing countries, particularly LDCs, have to adopt long term strategies to concretise their economic relationship with these two countries to secure persistent market access. Supply and technology constraints in LDCs and other countries may be addressed explicitly, and relevance of these two countries as suppliers of FDI and technology is examined. India and China have made steady progress in frontier technologies such as ICT and biotechnology, and they may provide easy access to these technologies to LDCs and other developing countries. |
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| #100 |
Towards a Broader Asian Community: Agenda for the East Asia Summit by Nagesh Kumar |
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| #99 | Biosafety Protocol, International Trade and Agricultural Biotechnology: Policy Inferences for India by Sachin Chaturvedi and Lian Chawii Abstract: The growing development in and possibly greater diffusion of biotechnology products have further accentuated the intensity of trade restrictions on the entry of these goods in countries like EU, Japan and South Korea. While India initiates the various measures to implement the Biosafety protocol it is essential that specific trade policy responses are thought of on priority. This would be important for effective implementation of other Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) as well. In this context apart from other measures certain institutional initiatives need to be launched; for instance regional and sub-regional cooperation, focus on development of necessary skills for quarantine and other agencies, precautionary measures without affecting the trade facilitation measures. At the regional level, initiatives like Biosafety Clearing House and risk assessment mechanism should be effectively put in place. In order to facilitate this the policy specific scientific responses for risk assessment and risk management may also be finalised at the earliest possible. Key Words: Biosafety, Trade, Agricultural Biotechnology and Regional Cooperation |
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| #98 |
The WTO Negotiations on Industrial Tariffs: What is at Stake for Developing Countries? by Yilmaz Akyüz |
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| #97 | Non-tariff Barriers Affecting India’s Exports by Rajesh Mehta Abstract: The purpose of this paper is first of all to highlight that Indian exports do face non-tariff barriers in major export markets especially the US, EU, Japan and other developed countries, which significantly hinder India’s exports to these markets. A second related aim is to illustrate the range of barriers, which confront Indian exporters. A third proximate goal is to suggest policy responses. |
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| #96 | Advancing the ASEAN-India Partnership in the New Millennium by Ong Keng Yong Abstract: India has an emerging web of cooperation with East Asian countries, especially ASEAN through the ASEAN-India dialogue process, the bilateral free trade agreements with Singapore and Thailand and sub-regional initiatives such as the Mekong-Ganga cooperation and the BIMST-EC. In this discussion paper the ASEAN Secretary-General focuses on the need to develop a partnership between ASEAN and India that has the dual objectives of addressing the challenges of globalisation and working closely to reap the opportunities of the same universal phenomena. There are enough opportunities and challenges to compel ASEAN and India to work closely in maintaining peace and stability, expanding economic linkages and improving the critical human capacities. The paper also presents ten points for Advancing ASEAN-India People-to-People Partnership. |
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| #95 | The Search for Regional Architecture: The Role of ASEAN as Strange Attractor by Djisman S. Simanjuntak Abstract: There is one other important reason for arguing that a deep comprehensive ASEAN integration is indispensable under the current network of initiatives on external relations. Using ASEAN as a “strange attractor” for an East Asian integration is unlikely to bear fruits unless ASEAN is willing to set example. Even a deeply integrated ASEAN may still find it difficult to persuade the rest of East Asia on the merits of East Asian integration, given the very limited muscle of ASEAN in terms of its external trade and investments. Being a recipient rather than a donor of official development assistance ASEAN is handicapped in playing the role of champion in trade and investment liberalization. What ASEAN most realistically can do is to serve as the “hub for post offices” while major Asian countries seek to put aside differences in order to promote economic co-operation and integration. ASEAN has once missed the opportunity of playing the role of a champion of the ambitious regional integration of APEC. It should avoid committing the same mistake while endeavoring to promote an East Asian integration or even an Asia-wide integration. |
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| #94 | India-Central Asia Economic Relations: A Report of RIS/CII Seminar |
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| #93 | Asian Energy Outlook to 2020: Trends, Patterns and Imperatives of Regional Cooperation by Kokichi Ito, Zhidong and Ryoichi Komiyama Abstract: With booming economic growth Asia will play increasingly important role in global economic and energy matters. World primary energy consumption is projected to expand at an average annual growth rate of 2.1 percent by 2020. About 70 percent of the increase would be accounted for by non-OECD member economies, two thirds of which are from the Asian region. The increase in demand for oil in Asia will most likely amplify the dependency on shipments from other regions (particularly the Middle East). Ensuring energy security would therefore turn out to be a vital task. In Asia (particularly East Asia), the achievement of the “three Es” (economic development, energy security, and environmental preservation) could no longer be viewed as a task to be addressed by each economy separately. Instead, it should be approached through region-wide cooperation - a goal of common interest. |
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| #92 | Regional Trade and Investment Architecture in Asia-Pacific: Emerging Trends and Imperatives by Tiziana Bonapace Abstract: Regionalism has become a key component of the new international order. It offers to the governments of developed and developing countries a new and attractive complementary strategy to multilateralism. Most countries of the world today belong to one or more regional trading arrangements of some kind covering more than two-thirds of the trade conducted. The Asia Pacific region is no exception to this trend. This paper examines the evolving regional trading panorama in the Asia Pacific region with its recent surge in bilateralism and its implications for evolving a regional trade and investment architecture. It argues that by facilitating the development of a seamless, region-wide zone of trade and investment, the region will enhance its prospects for becoming world’s center of economic growth and prosperity by 2020. |
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| #91 | India-East Asia Integration: A Win-Win for Asia by Mukul G. Asher and Rahul Sen Abstract: This paper argues that India’s unilateral liberalization policies since the early 1990s, and purposeful and strategic pursual of its Look East Policy has resulted in considerably greater integration with the rest of Asia than is commonly realized or acknowledged. Moreover, the enabling conditions for greater economic integration among major Asian economies have been laid. If Asia is to increase its economic and political weight in the world affairs, India’s involvement would have to be an integral part of the Asia-wide cooperation. It is in this context that closer cooperation among Japan, ASEAN, South Korea, India, and China would provide considerable win-win opportunities and will have far ranging implications for the world. |
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| #90 | Strategic Relevance of Asian Economic Integration by Eric Teo Chu Cheow Abstract: As the spread of SARS had shown last year, the longer-term goal of an East Asian Community (ASEAN, China, Japan and South Korea) may already be crystallizing much faster than was initially thought, thanks to increasing people-to-people contacts and the freer movement of goods, services, tourists and expatriates across the whole region. India appears poised to be joining this Asian movement too. |
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| #89 |
China Role in the Asian Economic Unification Process by Yao Chao Cheng Abstract: The 21st century, as being said the world over, will belong to Asia. The regional economic cooperation in Asia is developing fast and well with the ASEAN as a center and with the positive participations of major Asian nations such as China, India and Japan. The cooperation has shown that the Asian economic unification is in process. We believe that the economic unification process shall result in an Asian economic community. The integrated cooperation is the best way for Asian nations to make common development and the "fault lines" as proposed in Samuel Huntington’s paradigm1 can be repaired and transcended in the unification process. |
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| #88 | Strategic Approach to Strengthening the International Competitiveness in Knowledge Based Industries: Electronics Industry by K.J. Joseph Abstract: It is generally understood that while the IT software and service sector in India recorded unprecedented growth rate in a sustained manner for more than a decade and established credibility in the international market, the hardware sector, both computer hardware and other electronics equipment and components, has shown a decelerating trend. At the same time, being a signatory to Information Technology Agreement of WTO, India is committed to reduce the tariff rates on a wide range of IT goods to zero level by 2005 leading to unprecedented import competition. Hence it is important that the industry equip itself to meet the import competition and enhance its export competitiveness. Against this background the present paper analyzed performance (both export and production) of electronics industry and comes out with the broad contours of a strategic approach towards promoting the international competitiveness of India’s electronics industry. |
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2004 |
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| #87 | Regional Cooperation for Poverty Alleviation and Food Security in South Asia by Sachin Chaturvedi Abstract: This paper explores the various options available within the framework of regional cooperation for addressing issues like poverty alleviation and food security in the Asian region. This becomes important in context of Doha Development Agenda (DDA) which has called for linking up trade with poverty reduction efforts. The paper suggests joint marketing of various products from Asian developing countries for increasing the market profile, apart from collectively addressing issues like introduction of new technologies for enhancing productivity. The paper also addresses some of the policy constraints such as restricted market access, growing digital divide and emerging non-tariff barriers to be attended on a priority basis. |
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| #86 | Towards a Free Trade Area in South Asia: Charting A Feasible Course for Trade Liberalisation with Reference to India's Role by Indra Nath Mukherji Abstract: Four rounds of exchange of trade concessions have taken place under the South Asian Preferential Trading Arrangement (SAPTA). Initiated since December 1995, negotiations under SAPTA have been based on Positive List approach. A large number of products have however been offered concessions exclusively to Least Developed Countries (LDCs). India has offered the largest number of concessions, particularly favouring LDCs with tariff preferences ranging from 50-100 percent. This paper examines the impact of tariff concessions on India’s preferential trade in the first three rounds of SAPTA negotiations in relation to its total bilateral trade with Bangladesh, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka covering the period 1996-97 to 2002-03. The hypothesis is that tariff cuts are expected to induce faster growth in India’s preferential trade in relation to its bilateral trade. The study reveals that owing to lack of proper targeting, low preferential margins, non-concern with a variety of non-tariff barriers, and the emergence of more ambitious Indo-Lanka Free Trade Agreement, the performance of India’s preferential trade under SAPTA has been lackluster. However, there are a few hopeful pointers. There has been relatively better targeting of trade preferences between India and Pakistan leading to increasing share in India’s preferential trade in recent years for products exchanged preferences in the Second Round. Bangladesh has been the main beneficiary of India’s offer of duty-free access to least developed countries on selected products under the Third Round and their immediate positive response in terms of increasing shares in India’s preferential imports is just beginning to be observed. The paper suggests a few modalities to meet the required prerequisites for a smooth transition from SAPTA to SAFTA. Experience from the operation of SAPTA suggests that mere tinkering with modest preferential margins, maintaining unduly long phase-out period to attain the goal of a free trade area without concern for deeper forms of integration such as removal of non-tariff barriers, investment cooperation and improvement in trade facilitation measures could make SAFTA largely irrelevant. |
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| #85 | Industrial Restructuring and Export Competitiveness of the Textiles and Clothing Sector in SAARC in the Context of MFA Phase-Out by Ram Upendra Das Abstract: Traditionally, the textiles and clothing industry has been considered as one of the relatively more labour-intensive manufacturing industries in which developing countries have had comparative advantage mainly on account of cheap labour. Through econometric explorations the present paper observes a situation characterized as factor intensity reversal in South Asian countries necessitated by structural transformation within the industry due to increasing use of their scarce factor. The paper argues that implementing such a change in the production process in these countries would not be easy, especially in the post-MFA regime and thus regional cooperation in this sector could be one of the ways of meeting the post-MFA challenges. In this context, the paper explores the prospects for horizontal specialization and industrial restructuring with the help of strengthening trade-investment linkages in this sector in the SAARC region along with adopting some other policy measures. |
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| #84 |
India's Export by Countries and Commodities: On the Estimation of a Forecasting Model Using Panel Data |
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| #83 | A Strategic Approach to Strengthening International Competitiveness in Knowledge Based Industries: Indian Chemical Industry by Vijay Kumar Kaul Abstract: Indian chemical industry, traditionally insulated from rest of the world, of late has been exposed to global competition. The paper examines its coping strategies and sectoral innovation system: industry’s evolution, major characteristics, policy and institutional framework, and its competitive edge in the global chemical industry. It prescribes some policy guidelines both for the business enterprises and the policy makers. Enterprises need to develop a strategic intent, choose a right business model to operate, develop technological competence to innovate, and focus on economies of scale, quality and environmental norms. Further, it emphasizes the need for strengthening chemical innovation system, availability of institutional finance for modernization, exports and investment, rationalization of the tariffs on import of strategic inputs, and promoting knowledge and chemical parks |
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| #82 | A Strategic Approach to Strengthening International Competitiveness in Knowledge Based Industries: The Case of Indian Automotive Industry by Neelam Singh Abstract: This study examines the export performance and prospects of the Indian automotive industry. The technology factor being critical, the in-house, collaborative and sponsored R&D needs greater encouragement. We also recommend an early upgradation of testing facilities, and move towards uniform standards; establishment of auto compo zones/ parks, and window showcasing centers; the industry-government partnership in manpower training; institutional provision of export marketing information, market development funds and branding assistance; and FTAs with more prosperous regions. Fixed investment abroad should be promoted, say through tax credit, with a geographical focus and in a coordinated fashion for vehicle and auto component producers. |
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| #81 | A Strategic Approach to Strengthening International Competitiveness in Knowledge Based Industries: Non-electrical Machinery Industry by M. Padma Suresh Abstract: This study examines some major issues regarding competitiveness in one of the medium-high technology industries namely non-electrical machinery industry. Besides a review of the evolution and structure of the industry, the growth performance of the component industries is examined at the three-digit ASI level. A detailed analysis of exports as well as imports at the four-digit ITC classification is undertaken to examine the impact of liberalisation on specific machinery categories. The study indicates the inward orientation of the industry. Low tariffs and liberal imports including imports of second hand machinery have affected some industries like textile machinery and machine tools. The study considers two specific issues that are important for establishing export competitiveness namely developing technological capability and FDI in the industry. A case study of machine tool industry is incorporated for a better understanding of these issues. The report concludes with suggestions for strengthening competitiveness in the industry. |
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| #80 |
Strategic Approach to Strengthening the International Competitiveness in Knowledge Based Industries: The Indian Pharmaceutical Industry by Aradhna Aggarwal |
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| #79 | Complementarities and Potentials of Intra-regional Transfers of Investments, Technology and Skills in Asia by Saikat Sinha Roy Abstract: This paper examines complementarities in merchandise trade and potentials for intra-regional transfers of investments, technology and skills in Asia. The analysis shows that intra-regional trade was substantial and growing, but trade complementarities were limited. Asian countries have also emerged as sources of as well as destinations for investment, technology and skills. In the event of a formal regional integration arrangement in Asia, there is potential for intra-regional trade, investments, technology transfers and skill movements. Substantial gains in regional welfare are also expected. |
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| #78 | Towards Formation of Close Economic Cooperation among Asian Countries by S K Mohanty, Sanjib Pohit, and Saikat Sinha Roy Abstract: There have been several attempts in the past for the formation of an Asian Economic Community (AEC) with a view to enhance continental welfare within stipulated timeframe. The formation of a Close Economic Relation (CER) among some of the vibrant economies of the region, particularly JACIK Member countries (ASEAN plus three plus one) would be of immense importance in attaining such a goal. Three alternative forms of comprehensive economic liberalisation schemes may be envisaged. In this paper an effort has been made to examine the implication of CER on the region using monopolistic version of Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) for the JACIK countries. The model has been used to examine the implications of complete liberalisation of trade, investment and movement of natural persons. The results show that the proposed CER may enhance global welfare as well as welfare for individual countries in the caucus. Following formation of the proposed CER, the absolute increase in regional welfare may go beyond US$ 210 billion per annum amounting to more than 3 per cent of the region’s GNP. The implications of the CER on the regional economy would be favourable in improving production efficiency, expanding exports apart from increasing returns on capital and labour. |
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| #77 | Transaction Costs as Barriers to Economic integration in Asia: An Empirical Exploration by Prabir De Abstract: Recent literature has emphasized the importance of transaction costs and infrastructure in explaining trade, access to markets, and regional cooperation under globalization. For most Asian countries, transaction cost works as a strong barrier to trade integration than import tariff. By estimating a structural model of economic geography using cross-country data on income, infrastructure, transaction costs and trade of selected Asian economies, this paper provides evidence that transaction cost is statistically significant and important in explaining variation in trade in Asia. In addition, the study also finds that port efficiency and infrastructure quality are two important determinants of transaction costs. |
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| #76 | Transforming Digital Divide into Digital Dividend: The Role of South-South Cooperation in ICTs by K.J Joseph Abstract: This paper argues that the present approach, which aims at proliferating the use of ICTs in developing countries, by neglecting its production, is likely to perpetuate technological dependence of the South. Hence the e-strategies and policies in the South need to integrate both production and use. In this process much could be gained by South-South cooperation because, unlike the earlier general-purpose technologies, in case of ICTs substantial capabilities exist in the South. While there are certain initiatives at the regional and bilateral level to foster cooperation, the paper calls for an e-South Framework Agreement to facilitate a broad based approach to pool the resources such that economies of scale and scope are achieved and risks minimized. |
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| #75 | Transport Cooperation in BIMST-EC: Issues and Way Forward by Prabir De Abstract: The growth of regional trading blocs has been one of the major developments in international relations in recent years; all countries are now members of at least one bloc and many belong to more than one. The major contributing factor to rising regional integration across many parts of the world has been improved integrated transport systems which has facilitated nesting of regional and/or sub-regional markets. This paper finds that the scale of intra-regional infrastructure disparity in BIMST-EC is quite significant resulting in wider scope for stronger economic interdependence in the region. The paper concludes that although at present there is limited interdependence among BIMST-EC members in terms of intra-regional trade, a stronger and desirable intra-regional trade is contingent upon improved transport network among BIMST-EC countries. This is not a difficult task as these countries not only belong to the same geographical rim but also they have a strong historical and cultural bond. |
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| #74 | WTO Market Access Negotiations and Indian Small Scale Industry by Rajesh Mehta and Pooja Agarwal
Abstract: A large section of Indian small-scale industrial sector had been protected from the plundering rivalry of the large-scale industries. The ongoing trade liberalization and globalization talks can put these industries in problem. The main aim of this paper is to assess the implications of present round of World Trade Organisation (WTO) negotiations on Indian products, which are for exclusive manufacture by small-scale sector. As a first step the analyses of the Uruguay round Commitments, Doha declaration and member countries’ proposals, with special emphasis on the developing countries taking India as the case study, has been conducted. Further the structure and levels of bindings, base rates from where negotiations would start and tariff incidence for the products reserved for the exclusive manufacture of Indian small-scale industries has been studied. Finally the likely post negotiations scenarios for Indian small-scale industries have been presented. The study finds some interesting results. At present around 66 per cent items of Indian small-scale industry are bound, which is higher than all India level. India cannot a priori exclude any item from negotiation in the present round. Our preliminary results based on alternate scenarios proves that the WTO-NGMA formula would cause the 53 per cent reduction in the current bindings of the products reserved for the exclusive production of small-scale industry in India. |
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| #73 |
ASEAN-India Economic Relations: Current Status and Future Prospects |
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| #72 | National Innovation Systems and India’s IT Capability:Are there any lessons for ASEAN Newcomers? by Nagesh Kumar and K J Joseph Abstract: This paper traces the factors that have led to the build-up of substantial IT capability by India. It is shown that the National System of Innovation evolved overtime as an outcome of the policies initiated by the government, has been instrumental in facilitating India’s IT success. These included, but not limited to, development of a system of higher education in engineering and technical disciplines, creation of an institutional infrastructure for S&T policy making and implementation, building centres of excellence and numerous other institutions for technology development. In addition, the institutional interventions like the setting up of the software technology parks were highly helpful for IT exports. The paper then draws lessons from the Indian experience for the new members of ASEAN viz. Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam in their attempt in harnessing the potential of ICTs. The paper argues that though the road ahead is long as well as rocky, much could be learned from India in to facilitate their leapfrogging. The paper also underscores the need for cooperating with India in developing their IT capabilities. |
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| #71 |
Monetary Cooperation in South Asia: Potential and Prospects by Sweta Chaman Saxena and Mirza Allim Baig |
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| #70 |
India-ASEAN Cooperation in Information and Communication Technologies: Issues and Prospects by K.J. Joseph & Govindan Parayil |
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| #69 |
Issues Related to India’s Energy Trading with Central Asian Countries by Barnali Nag |
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| #68 |
Biotechnology in South Asia: Issues, Concerns and Opportunities by Sachin Chaturvedi |
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| #67 |
Environment Issues in Free Trade Agreements in Asia and the Post-Cancun Challenges: Issues and Policy Options by Sachin Chaturvedi |
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2003 |
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| #66 |
How Do Infrastructure Facilities Affect Regional Income? An Investigation with South Asian Countries |
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| #65 |
Liberalization, Foreign Direct Investment Flows and Economic Development: The Indian Experience in the 1990s by Nagesh Kumar |
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| #64 |
India’s Monetary Integration with East Asia: A Feasibility Study by Sweta Chaman Saxena |
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| #63 |
Rise of Service Sector Outward Foreign Direct Investment from Indian Economy: Trends, Patterns, and Determinants |
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| #62 |
Short-term Forecasting of India's Export: Developing a Framework by Countries and Commodities by Rajesh Mehta and Parul Mathur |
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| #61 |
"Evolving a National System of Biotechnology Innovation Some Evidence from Singapore" by Sachin Chaturvedi |
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| #60 | | |
| #59 | WTO Non-Agriculture Market Access Modalities A Case Study of Impact on A Developing Country by Rajesh Mehta and Pooja Agarwal Section I of this study gives a background of the negotiations with a review of Doha mandate on market access of non-agriculture products. Section II presents the current position of modalities for negotiations. Section III contains the implications of these negotiations on Indian industrial tariffs and Section IV concludes the entire scenario. |
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| #58 |
Implementation Issues in SPS: A Developing Country Perspective for Development Agenda on the Meandering Pathways from Doha to Cancun by Rajesh Mehta and J. George |
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| #57 |
WTO Negotiations Towards Cancun: Implication on Indian paper and newsprint Industry by Rajesh Mehta and Pooja Agarwal |
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| #56 |
Investment on the WTO Agenda: A Developing Country Perspective and the Way Forward for the Cancun Ministerial Conference |
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| #55 |
Economic Cooperation between India and Egypt |
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| #54 |
Nepal-India Bilateral Trade Relations Problems and Prospects |
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| #53 |
Economic Cooperation between India and Central Asian Republics with Special Reference to Uzbekistan |
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| #52 |
Performance Requirements as Tools of Development Policy: Lessons from Experiences of Developed and Developing Countries for the WTO Agenda on Trade and Investment by Nagesh Kumar |
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| #51 |
India and the Asian Economic Community by Mukul G. Asher and Sadhna Srivastava |
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| #50 |
ASEAN's Contribution to the Building of an Asian Economic Community by K. Kesavapany |
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| #49 |
A Road to Common Prosperity-- Examination of An FTA between India and China by Li Wei |
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| #48 |
Regional Trade Liberalization under SAPTA and India's Trade Linkages with South Asia: An Empirical Assessment |
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| #47 |
Towards an Economic Community: Exploring the Past by Vineeta Shanker |
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| #46 |
Towards a Multipolar World of International Finance by Ramgopal Agarwala and Gauri Modwel |
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| #45 |
Possibility of Close Economic Cooperation between India and Singapore by S K Mohanty |
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| #44 |
Determinants of Outward Foreign Direct Investment From A Developing Country: the Case of Indian Manufacturing Firms |
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| #43 |
Export Competitiveness in the Knowledge-Based Industries: A Firm-Level Analysis of Indian Manufacturing |
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| #42 |
Export Performance of Indian Enterprises in Knowledge-Based Industries: Recent Trends, Patterns and Implications |
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| #41 |
Economic Co-operation Between India and Singapore: A Feasibility Study by Rajesh Mehta |
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| #40 | Liberalization, Firm Size and R&D Performance: A Firm Level Study of Indian Pharmaceutical Industry by Jaya Prakash Pradhan The paper attempts to empirically verify the impact of economic liberalization on the R&D behaviour of Indian pharmaceutical firms controlling for the effects of several firm specific characteristics including firm size. The study suggests several policy measures to further indigenous technological efforts of pharmaceutical firms, which include, removing obstacles that inhibit outward orientation of firms, providing special scheme for small size firms in the overall technology policy for the industry, intensifying collaborative research efforts between private sectors and government research institution among others. |
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| #39 |
Addressing Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement: A Case Study of Select Processed Food Products in India |
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2002 |
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| #38 |
Analysis of Environment related Non-Tariff Measures in the European Union Implications for South Asian Exports |
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| #37 |
The Determinants of India's Exports: A Simultaneous Error-Coorection Approach by Saikat Sinha Roy |
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| #36 |
WTO and Product related Environmental Standards: Emerging Issues and Policy Options before India |
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| #35 |
India, the European Union and Geographical Indications (GI): Convergence of Interests and Challenges Ahead by Sachin Chaturvedi |
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| #34 | Towards an Asian Economic Community: The Relevance of India by Nagesh Kumar | |
| #33 | Towards an Asian Economic Community: Monetary and Financial Cooperation by Ramgopal Agarwala | |
| #32 | Towards an Asian Economic Community--Vision of Closer Economic Cooperation in Asia: An Overview by Nagesh Kumar | |
| #31 | WTO and Indian Poultry Sector: Lessons from State Support Measures in Select Countries by Rajesh Mehta | |
| #30 | Measuring Developments in Biotechnology:International Initiatives, Status in India and Agenda before Developing Countries by Sachin Chaturvedi |
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| #29 | Persistence in India's Manufactured Export Performance by Saikat Sinha Roy | |
| #28 | Status and Development of Biotechnology in India: An Analytical Overview by Sachin Chaturvedi | |
| #27 | Foreign Direct Investment, Externalities and Economic Growth in Developing Countries: Some Empirical Explorations and Implications for WTO Negotiations on Investment by Nagesh Kumar and Jaya Prakash Pradhan | |
| #26 | Infrastructure Availability, Foreign Direct Investment Inflows and Their Export-orientation: A Cross-Country Exploration by Nagesh Kumar | |
| #25 | Intellectual Property Rights, Technology and Economic Development: Experiences of Asian Countries by Nagesh Kumar | |
| #24 | Potential of India's Bilateral Free Trade Arrangements: A Case Study of India and Thailand by Rajesh Mehta | |
| #23 | Establishment of Free Trade Arrangement Among BIMST-EC Countries: Some Issues by Rajesh Mehta | |
2001 |
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| #22 | Product Standards and Trade in Environmentally Sensitive Goods: A Study of South Asian Experience by Sachin Chaturvedi and Gunjan Nagpal |
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| #21 | Perceptions on the Adoption of Biotechnology in India by Biswajit Dhar | |
| #20 | Implementation of Article X of the Biological Weapons Convention in a Regime of Strengthened Intellectual Property Protection by Biswajit Dhar |
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| #19 | Indian Software Industry Development in International and National Development Perspective by Nagesh Kumar | |
| #18 | Review of the WTO Agreement on Agriculture: The Current State of Negotiation by Biswajit Dhar and Sudeshna Dey | |
| #17 | The Public-Private Debate in Agricultural Biotechnology and New Trends in the IPR Regime: Challenges before Developing Countries by Sachin Chaturvedi |
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| #16 | India-ASEAN Economic Cooperation with Special Reference to Lao PDR-India Economic Relations by Thatsaphone Noraseng |
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| #15 | India-Central Asian Republics Economic Cooperation with Special Reference to Kazakhstan; India Economic Relations by N. Makhanov |
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| #14 | WTO’s Emerging Investment Regime and Developing Countries: The Way Forward for TRIMs Review and the Doha Ministerial Meeting by Nagesh Kumar |
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| #13 | Post-Reforms Export Growth in India: An Exploratory Analysis by Saikat Sinha Roy | |
| #12 | Indo-Japanese Trade: Recent Trends by Rajesh Mehta | |
| #11 | Alternate Forms of Trading Arrangements in Indian Ocean Basin: Implication for India from IOR-ARC by Rajesh Mehta and S.K. Mohanty | |
| #10 | India’s Trade in 2020: A Mapping of Relevant Factors by Nagesh Kumar | |
| #09 | Market Access for Industrial Sector in WTO Negotiations An Agenda for Developing Countries by Rajesh Mehta | |
| #08 | China as # 1: Threat or Opportunity? by Ramgopal Agarwala | |
2000 |
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| #07 | Liberalization Outward Orientation and In-house R&D Activity of Multinational and Local Firms: A Quantitative Exploration for Indian Manufacturing by Nagesh Kumar and Aradhana Agarwal | |
| #06 | Explaining the Geography and Depth of International Production: The Case of US and Japanese Multinational Enterprises by Nagesh Kumar | |
| #05 | Multinational Enterprises and M&As in India: Patterns and Implications by Nagesh Kumar | |
| #04 | Natural Resource Accounting: Economic Valuation of Intangible Benefits of Forests by T.R. Manoharan | |
| #03 | Trade and Environment Linkages: A Review of Conceptual and Policy Issues by T.R. Manoharan, Beena Pandey and Zafar Dad Khan | |
| #02 | WTO Regime, Host Country Policies and Global Patterns of Multinational Enterprises’ Activity: Implications of Recent Quantitative Studies for India by Nagesh Kumar | |
| #01 | World Trade Organisation and India – Challenges and Perspectives by V.R. Panchamukhi | |
Occasional Papers |
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| #66 | Capital Inflows and Effects of Market-Driven Investments: A Focus on Southeast Asian Crisis by Biswajit Dhar, Murali Kallummal, 2002. |
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| #65 | Status of Biotechnology in Singapore by Sachin Chaturvedi, 2002. |
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| #64 | Implementation of the Agreement on Agriculture: Issues and Options by Biswajit Dhar, Sudeshna Dey, 2002 |
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| #63 | WTO, Liberalisation and Industrial Sector - The Case of Market Access by Rajesh Mehta, 2001. |
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| #62 | Foreign Direct Investment, Regional Economic Integration and Industrial Restructuring in Asia: Trends, Patterns and Prospoects by Nagesh Kumar, 2001. |
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| #61 | An Alternative to Investment Promotion in Developing Countries: A Case Study of India Primary Market by Murali K., 2001. |
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| #60 | The Non-Trade Concerns in the Agreement on Agriculture by Biswajit Dhar, 2001. |
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| #59 | A Framework of Cooperation in Conservation of Biodiversity in South Asia: Profile of Issues and Challenges by Sachin Chaturvedi and K.P.S.Chauhan, 2001. |
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| #58 | Dumping and Anti-Dumping Measures - Policy and Practice by J.K. Bagchi, 1999. |
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| #57 | Integrated Programme of Action in SAARC: Genesis, Evaluation, Constraints and Rationale for Revamping by Mahendra P. Lama, 1999. |
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| #56 | Multinational Enterprises, Overseas R&D Activity and Global Technological Order by Nagesh Kumar, 1998. |
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| #55 | Egyptian Approaches to Neo-Regionalism and Their Asian Implications by Mohammad EL-Sayed Selim, 1998. |
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| #54 | Economic Liberalisation in South Asia Performance and Prospects by Ric Shand, 1998. |
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| #53 | Economic Development in Sri Lanka during the 50 Years of Independence: What Went Wrong? by Saman Kelegama, 1998. |
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| #52 | Multilateral Regime for Foreign Investment: An Assessment of the Emerging Trends by Biswajit Dhar & Sachin Chaturvedi, 1997. |
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| #51 | Globalisation, Competition and Economic Stability by V.R. Panchamukhi, 1997. |
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| #50 | Singapore's Foreign Direct Investment in Indochina & Myanmar: Opportunities & Challenges by Joseph L.H. Tan, 1997. |
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| #49 | Mobilization of Domestic Financial Resources for Development: The Asian Experience by Azizul Islam, 1996. |
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| #48 | The Uruguay Round Agreement - A Critical Appraisal by Biswajit Dhar, 1995. |
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| #47 | Regional Integration and Development: Panacea or Pitfalls? by Percy S. Mistry, 1995. |
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| #46 | How East Asia Grew So Fast? Slow Progress Towards an Analytical Consensus by Ajit Singh, 1995. |
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| #45 | Developing Countries in the International Division of Labour in Design Engineering and Construction Services: The Case of India by Nagesh Kumar and Sundeep Waslekar, 1994. |
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| #44 | Recent Developments, in Trade Theory and Practice by V. R Panchamukhi, 1994. |
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| #43 | External Debt Crisis of Developing Countries: Its Emergence and Prospects by Biswajit Dhar, 1993. |
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| #42 | Single European Market and India’s Trade: A Macroeconometric Analysis by Rajesh Mehta, 1993. |
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| #41 | India and ASEAN: Issues in Sectoral Dialogue Partnership by V.L. Rao and R. Upendra Das, 1993. |
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| #40 | Resource Mobilisation for South Asian Development: Role and Rationale of Substantial International Transfers by Kalyan M. Raipuria and Purnima M. Gupta, 1993. |
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| #39 | Credibility Waves and the Stock Markets by V.L. Rao 1993. |
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| #38 | Response of Indian Firms to the Challenges of the Single European Market by Sundeep Waslekar, 1993. |
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| #37 | Single European Market, Multinationals and Industrial Reorganisation: Implications for Developing Countries by Nagesh Kumar, 1992. |
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| #36 | Exchange Rates and Underdevelopment: Observations on the ‘Realistic’ Devaluation Debate by Jumanne Hamisi Wagao, 1992. |
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| #35 | National Sovereignty, External Dependence and the Government of Bangladesh by Rehman Sobhan, 1992. |
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| #34 | Inflation in Asia: A Quantitative Analysis by V. R. Panchamukhi and V.L. Rao, 1992. |
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| #33 | Sub-Regional Industrial Projects in Africa: A Review of the Western Experience by Samuel Agonda Ochola, 1991. |
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| #32 | Macroeconomics and Trade Linkages in SAARC: An Econometric Model for India by V.R. Panchamukhi and Rajesh Mehta, 1990. |
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| #31 | Lessons of the Negotiating Experience of Developing Countries in Selected International Economic Negotiations - An Analytical Framework by Godfrey Gunatilleke and S. R. Breckenridge, 1990. |
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| #30 | Aid in the 1990’s with Special Reference to the World Bank and IDA by J.L. Bajaj and V.R. Panchamukhi, 1990. |
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| #29 | Resources, Employment and Development Financing: Producing without Destroying - The Case of Brazil by lgnacy Sachs, 1989. |
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| #28 | Non-Project Lending by the World Bank- Its Evolution from Programme to Policy Based Lending by M. Narasimham, 1989. |
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| #27 | Structural Adjustment Lending - A Preliminary Analysis, Policy Based Lending of the World Bank by Dragoslav Avramovic, 1989. | |
| #26 | Trade Liberalisation, The Tariff Foreign Price Paradox by Rajesh Mehta and R. G. Nambiar, 1989. |
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| #25 | Growth, Trade and Structural Changes in the Asian Region by V.R. Panchamukhi, 1989. |
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| #24 | Determinants of Traditional and New Forms of Foreign Investments: The Case of Indian Manufacturing by Nagesh Kumar, 1989. |
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| #23 | Perferential Trade Area for Eastern and Southern African States: Some Observations by K. Rajeswaran, 1988. |
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| #22 | Regional and Sub-Regional Integration in Africa: Perspectives, Problematiques and Prospects by Bingu Wa Mutharika, 1987. |
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| #21 | Economic Integration as a Pre-Requisite of Industrial Development: The Latin American Experience by Felipe Herrera, 1987. |
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| #20 | World Trade Prospects by Sidney Weintraub, 1987. |
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| #19 | Twenty Five Years of the Inter-American Development Bank by Felipe Herrera, 1987. |
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| #18 | Development Dialogue in the 1980s and Beyond by Sukhamoy Chakravarty, 1987. |
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| #17 | On the Reforms of the International Trading System by Vijay Laxman Kelkar, 1987. |
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| #16 | The Functioning of the International Monetary System - A Critique of the Perspective of the Industrial Countries by Arjun Sen Gupta, 1987. |
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| #15 | Agricultural Surpluses, Variable Land and Long-run Growth in an Open Dual Economy by Ramesh C. Kumar, 1987. |
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| #14 | Economic Growth and the Terms of Trade of Primary Product Exporter - A Dynamic Analysis by Ramesh C. Kumar, 1987. |
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| #13 | A Social Development Planning Model by Syed Othamn Alhabshi and M.G. Kanbur, 1986. |
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| #12 | A Social Development Planning Model by Syed Othamn Alhabshi and M.G. Kanbur, 1986. |
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| #11 | The Asian Clearing Union - Towards Monetary Cooperation by B.K. Madan, 1986. |
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| #10 | Adjustment: To What End ? by S. Guhan, 1986. |
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| #09 | The Bangkok Agreement — An Evaluation of Preferential Trading Arrangement in the ESCAP Region by Indra Nath Mukherji, 1986. |
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| #08 | Industrial Cooperation among Developing Countries and the Role of UNIDO — Present and Future Perspectives by S. Nanjundan, 1986. |
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| #07 | Industrial Cooperation among Developing Countries and the Role of UNIDO — Present and Future Perspectives by S. Nanjundan, 1986. |
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| #06 | The Inequity of the International Economic Order: Some Explanation and Policy Implications by Raj Krishna, 1985. |
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| #05 | Industrialisation, Foreign Capital and Technology Transfer - Mexican Experience 1930-1985 by Miguel Wionczek, 1985. |
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| #04 | New Perspectives in North-South and South-South Economic Relations, 1985. | |
| #03 | The World Crisis: How to Serve the Interest of the South? by Jan Tinbergen, 1984. |
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| #02 | Transfer of Resources to Developing Countries - Nature and Direction of Reform in the International Financial System by M. Narasimham, 1984. |
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| #01a | Trade and Development : Some Basic Issues by Sukhamoy Chakravarty, 1984. (RIS Reprint Series No.1). |
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| #01 | The International Monetary System - Its Shortcomings and Inequities in Relation to Developing Countries by M. Narasimham, 1984. | |
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