Customs administrations need to act decisively to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) World system helps cross-border agencies deal with the pandemic through procedures that limit virus transmission in work areas, while ensuring smooth cross-border movement of essential products. The system reduces the need for face-to-face interaction by allowing agencies and traders to exchange data, send and receive documentation, and expedite various trade transactions.

Author: Automated System for Customs Data and United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

Year: 2020

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Tags: Customs, Trade, UNCTAD

This brief discusses challenges and potentials in improving energy security in South Asia. It shows that increasing regional cooperation will help improve energy access and can help the region preserve natural assets, enhance agricultural production, and improve food security.

Author: Tapan Sarker, Shanawez Hossain, K. M. Nazmul Islam

Year: 2020

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Tags: Regional Cooperation, Energy, South Asia

A dominantly road-centric and fossil fuel dependent freight transport sector has made Asia and the Pacific one of the highest CO2 emitting regions in the world, while making the regional transport system more vulnerable to climate disasters. Shifting to sustainable freight transport will be driven by technology and innovation, but it will also need public policy that promotes better transport connectivity within the region.

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

Year: 2020

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Tags: Transport, Sustainable Development Goals, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka

This brief looks at labor productivity in India and its impact on poverty reduction. It notes the need to bridge the infrastructure gap, improve the investment climate, and invest in education. Economic corridors would boost inclusive development, as these would act as markets for goods, help overcome infrastructure and regulatory bottlenecks, and aid dynamic reallocation. One such corridor is the Vizag–Chennai Industrial Corridor, which the Asian Development Bank is supporting with a $631 million loan.

Author: Kanupriya Gupta and Abhijit Sen Gupta

Year: 2020

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Tags: ADB, India, Economic Corridor Development

This study looks at the digitization of port call operations and the tensions and opportunities this digitization creates in the global maritime sector. One of the solutions being used to improve coordination of port call operations is Port Collaborative Decision Making (PortCDM), an international, independent system for near real-time digital data sharing. PortCDN technical guidelines, which can be adapted to regional and local needs, make processes more efficient by furnishing predictable port call timings and operations.

Author: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

Year: 2020

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Tags: Trade Facilitation, Transport