Cross-border trade—through the printing, processing, exchange, and discarding of paper documents—tends to place burdens on the environment. For example, 68 documents (including copies) are required to process the export of garments from Bangladesh to India. This paper from the Asia-Pacific Research and Training Network on Trade contends that implementing paperless trade in Asia and the Pacific could reduce greenhouse gases, driven by the projected gains in efficiency in handling digital data.

Author: Yann Duval and Simon Hardy

Year: 2021

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Tags: Trade Facilitation, UNESCAP, South Asia

Global flows of foreign direct investment fell by one third to $1 trillion in 2020 due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. In South Asia, foreign direct investments rose by 20% to $71 billion in 2020, driven mainly by strong mergers and acquisitions in India. Inflows in Bangladesh contracted by 11% and in Sri Lanka by 43%, where inflows will take longer to recover. This report monitors global and regional investment trends to support national and international policymakers.

Author: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

Year: 2021

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Tags: COVID-19, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, FDI, South Asia, Sustainable Development Goals, UNCTAD

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has interrupted trade and tourism worldwide, leading to job losses and rising poverty. Countries need to address weaknesses in economic and social protection systems, through national initiatives that can be supported by regional cooperation. United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific member countries endorsed the Action Plan to Strengthen Regional Cooperation on Social Protection in Asia and the Pacific. This provides a platform through which governments in South Asia could work together to help mitigate the impacts of the pandemic.

Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Year: 2021

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Tags: COVID-19, Regional Cooperation, South Asia, Trade, Tourism

Basic Statistics 2021 presents development indicators—tracking the progress made by countries in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. It includes data for 46 economies in Asia and the Pacific, including those for the seven South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2021

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Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Trade, Sustainable Development Goals, Renewable Energy

For recovery to be inclusive and robust in Asia and the Pacific, this report recommends a more synchronized coronavirus disease vaccination program and notes the importance of regional cooperation among countries. The report also suggests that beyond policies aimed at economic expansion, policies should look to improve the overall well-being of people and ensure the strengthening of buffers against economic and non-economic shocks.

Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Year: 2021

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Tags: COVID-19, Regional Cooperation, Sustainable Development Goals