Covering the whole of Asia and the Pacific region, this text provides both an analytic overview and specific data for each of the 60 countries. Introductory chapters cover regional issues, including: a regional review with the year's trends, developments and key events' analysis of the threat of terrorism in the region; the effects of deflation on the economy; the water crisis and its impact on the poor; and the successes and failures of micro-credit in the region. political and economic surveys identifying the trends, developments, problems and solutions; country profiles, including information on economic sectors, political parties and systems, demographics and languages; key facts and analysis of vital statistics; business guide offering practical information for visitors to the country, including local contact addresses; key indicators setting out the country's key economic indicators between 1998 and 2003.

Provides an understanding of the issues involved in developing and managing overseas trade. Aimed at students studying for the Institute of Export professional qualification and practitioners involved in export and international trade, this book providesboth 'textbook' information and accessible guidelines for best practice.

This second edition of A Handbook of World Trade is a reliable reference source on the framework and mechanics of world trade. The guide examines the origins and nature of the WTO, regulatory issues and disputes in international trade, the management of foreign currencies in international trade, international trade finance and documentation, and international trade development issues. This authoritative analysis is supported by a directory of essential contacts and useful information including membership of regional trading groups, banking groups with trade finance capacity, export credit agencies, and reading lists.

This book analyses the current state and potential of economic and financial integration in South Asia, which has emerged as one of the most dynamic regions of the world. It looks at how regional convergences and cooperation would reinforce ties amongst the diverse economies of South Asia in the changing global economic landscape. Drawing on empirical research, the book looks at the degree of economic and financial integration in South Asia, which according to the World Bank includes the least integrated regions in the world, and explores the fundamental factors that drive integration amongst these countries. It offers important insights into the financial landscape of the region, as well as the dynamics of the interlinkages in the banking system, the stock markets, and the debt markets. The book examines the role of bilateral trade in augmenting regional economic ties, the opportunities for growth these will foster, and the major challenges and roadblocks for the leaders of the region. It also provides an overview of China’s role in South Asia’s financial integration and the interdependence of these economies for economic opportunities, macroeconomic and financial stability, jobs, sustainable growth, and inclusive development. Detailed and insightful, this book will be of great interest to investors and regional policymakers. It will also be of interest to researchers and students of economics, public and foreign policy, finance, international relations, and South Asia studies.

This book explains the macro-drivers of growth behind the economic development of Bangladesh. Few countries in the developing world have shown as exciting a promise of economic prosperity as Bangladesh. The promising nature of the Bangladeshi economy raises interesting questions pertaining to whether good governance may lead to sustained economic growth. This book looks at the strategic interventions on macro-level, specifically the policy interventions. This book will be a useful reference to making sense how economic transformation can be strengthened through state-sponsored activities and how states can inculcate a culture of innovation which can be regarded as one of the underpinnings of economic growth.

Key events in Asia’s recent history have included the end of the Cold War, the Asian Economic Crisis and the ‘war on terror’. This is a critical assessment of these events, and of the interplay of security and economics in shaping political regimes and modifying market systems. Based on the notion that market systems are inherently political and conflict-ridden, this collection clarifies and explains the conflicts shaping the path of neoliberal globalization. Collectively it represents a disciplined and systematic address of four overarching questions: * What are the significant conflicts emanating from neoliberal globalization, and what are their implications? * What are the implications of new security concerns for these conflicts, and what are their impacts? * How are conflicts associated with globalization and security affecting social and economic policy directions? * Can these directions be reconciled with the reproduction of existing political regimes, or do they threaten their basis? In addressing these questions, the essays depict neoliberal globalization – in the new security context – as being able to accommodate a range of political regimes. This fascinating collection is a must-read for those with a professional interest in the region post-9/11. This book was previously published as a special issue of the Journal Critical Asian Studies.

Katsumata demonstrates that something interesting is taking place inside the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). He shows that an association of minor powers in Southeast Asia is promoting its cooperative security norm, and influencing the policies of its external partners. Thus, the ARF is one of the important pathways to regional security.