The present evaluation assesses the first phase of the Trade Development Facility (TDF-1) spanning the period between 2008 and March 2013. The evaluation follows a standard framework used by development partners to assess the performance of completed trade-related technical assistance. It uses a set of evaluation criteria to measure project outcomes in terms of (i) relevance, (ii) effectiveness, (iii) efficiency, and (iv) impact as measured in terms of (a) sustainability and (b) cross-cutting gender issues. The evaluation uses the World Bank’s rating scale for its monitoring and evaluation framework plus numerical scoring: (a) highly satisfactory (score = 6); (b) satisfactory (score = 5); moderately satisfactory (score = 4); (c) moderately unsatisfactory (score = 3); (d) unsatisfactory (score = 2); and (e) highly unsatisfactory (score = 1). The assessment is based on performance indicators, stakeholder questionnaires, program documents, interim reviews by TDF development partners, structured interviews and comments received from stakeholders at the meeting of the Program Executive Committee (PEC) on 3 April 2013.

The report offers a comprehensive analysis and recommendations for the formulation of a new trade support initiative, as a continuation phase of the current Trade Development Facility (TDF). It is based on the TDF lessons learned to date, the actionable recommendations of the DTIS Update for the 7th NSEDP and the National Export Strategy (NES), and meetings conducted under the Joint TDF/EIF Implementation Support Mission on November 8-18, 2011. The new project will support implementation of the DTIS Update and its Action Matrix, which will in turn contribute to the implementation of the Government’s trade strategy linked to the 7th National Social and Economic Development Plan (NSEDP) covering 2011‐2015. It will also provide trade-related assistance for capacity building and technical assistance for trade-related policy reforms linked to the Poverty Reduction Support Operation (PRSO), and it will help the Trade and Private Sector Working Group of the Round Table Process for aid effectiveness to build consensus about development priorities and improve aid coordination as set out in the Vientiane Declaration Country Action Plan.

Proponents of the decoupling view argue that Asian economies now have more diversified export markets, and they also point to more robust domestic and intra-regional growth drivers that are independent of the US and other developed economies. China in particular has the potential to drive that intra-regional growth, a phenomenon that has already by exemplified by the emergence of its large trade and investments with East and Southeast Asia. There are, nonetheless, a large number of opponents to this view. Those who argue that decoupling is unlikely to occur point to the fact that intra-regional and extra-regional trade flows in Asia are largely made up of parts and components that eventually supply the United States and other developed economies. Reversing that pattern in Asia, they argue, would be neither feasible nor desirable.

The present study examines the empirical evidence underlying these arguments as a means of establishing some forwarding looking views about what options are available to the Asian economies. First, it demonstrates that the strong linkages both within Asia and between Asia and the United States and Europe have not waned in the last 25 years. Second, the study finds that there are significant downside risks for the recovery of growth in the United States and Europe. Thirdly, the types of goods produced in Asia as outsourcing for large enterprises is likely to incorporate more second-generation technology that could increasingly promote intra-regional production networks. Another finding of the study is that stock market indicators in Asia are highly correlated with the major financial centers in the United States and Europe. Finally, pegged and managed exchange rates will likely continue to form part of the policy tools used in most Asian economies, notwithstanding the lessons from the Asian financial crisis.

PRSO actions have supported trade and PSD reforms through: (i) close working relations between donors and line ministries, which have helped foster government ownership; (ii) good collaboration between donors financing PRSO; (iii) disseminating information about program activities to donors not financing the PRSO; (iv) adapting policy actions to changing circumstances for Government and the economy at large during the programmatic series; and (v) availability of TA resources through the TDF and SME Promotion and Development Office (SMEPDO) where needed. The program’s effectiveness has proven especially helpful in promoting inter-ministerial cooperation, and providing TA support for PRSO actions that have concurrently built staff capabilities in line ministries.

This study is intended to support the Government’s efforts to introduce reforms to the insurance industry and its negotiations for accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). To that end, it provides a consolidated perspective about insurance services in Laos, with particular reference to the impact of possible Government commitments to liberalizing the insurance industry as part of its WTO accession process. The study builds on a survey of the industry and its regulatory environment to determine the areas that could benefit from liberalization and restructuring. It uses these findings along with the experiences of other Asian countries and best practice recommendations to suggest possible reforms and commitments under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) of the WTO. The implications of liberalization for the insurance industry are then considered and reforms supporting the Government’s overall economic plan are proposed.

Aid for Trade (AfT) design of project proposals in context of Pacific island countries’ trade strategies for Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federal State of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, PNG, Samoa, Solomon, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu, to mobilize AfT resources

Strategy and Action Plan for East-West Economic Corridor and results-oriented framework for poverty reduction and growth

Sustainability of the Asian growth model, delinking possibilities, and policy prescriptions.

The present study addresses the trade capacity-building needs of the Forum Island Countries (FICs) and Timor Leste with a view to mobilizing Aid-for-Trade (AfT) resources supporting their trade policy and regulations, trade development, trade-related infrastructure, productive capacity building, and trade-related adjustments. It responds to the Pacific ACP (PACP) Trade Ministers’ request in their 27-28 March 2008 meeting in Nadi, Fiji that the Forum Secretariat examines a possible way forward to address, through regional activities and arrangements, the trade-related capacity building needs of the FICs and Timor Leste. The Forum Secretariat has since then responded by undertaking a number of initiatives to address the trade-related capacity building needs of the FICs and Timor Leste. These include conducting national consultations in all 14 FICs, organizing the first RTM on AfT and the PTDF in the Pacific held last October and commissioning the present study on Aft and Project Proposal and Formulation.

Support for border town development along major economic corridors of Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) through value chain development, creation of business development centers, and identification of investment opportunities.