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Does Internet expansion matter for export concentration?

Why do export sales increasingly concentrate among a few “superstars”? This paper is the first to argue that the expansion of the Internet matters for this phenomenon. Using firm-level customs transaction data from 11 developing countries, we show that the spread of the internet steepens the slope of the rank-sales relationship among exporters. This shift implies a more skewed distribution of sales toward the top exporters. Furthermore, incumbent superstar exporters are more likely to retain their status owing to a better Internet.


Harnessing digital trade to advance the sustainable development goals : an empirical study

Trade’s profound digital transformation has spurred a new era of digital trade. However, little is known about the impact of digital trade and related policies on sustainable development. To investigate this, our exploratory study employs Fixed-Effects (FE) regressions, linking digital trade variables with all Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through SDG targets organized into 4 main areas of development: economic, social, environmental, and governance and global partnerships.


E-commerce and India’s retail and manufacturing sectors – some lessons for ensuring sustainable development

The sudden surge in the e-commerce sector has sparked concerns in several economies in the world, particularly in India. The country’s traders’ associations have complained that the online retail sector (dominated by e-commerce majors) has been growing at the expense of the offline retail sector, primarily the MSMEs. In this context, this study marks one of the initial endeavours to analytically evaluate the impact of the thriving online retail industry on India’s organised manufacturing and retail segments.


Digital trade and wealth inequality : evidence from Asia Pacific region

This paper examines the impact of digital trade on wealth inequality for 40 developed and developing member countries of the UNESCAP Asia Pacific region, for the period from 2005-2021. Data on digital trade, measured using two indicators, namely, trade in digitally deliverable services and trade in ICT goods, is obtained from UNCTAD. Data on within-country wealth inequality, measured using two indicators, namely, wealth share of the top 1 percentile and top 10 percentile of the adult population, is sourced from the World Inequality Database.


How online courts effectively supplement digital trade and contribute to sustainable development goals: insights from a case study of China

The increasing volume of digital trades inevitably generates more disputes. An efficient online dispute resolution mechanism is an important digital trade promotion policy measure, as it ensures the cyber order and strengthens online users’ confidence. The immediate implication is the furtherance of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16.3 on better access to justice and SDG 16.7 on having a responsive judiciary. But having an online judiciary does not only improve SDG 16.


Net neutrality exceptionality : a look into the Pacific Alliance countries during the COVID-19 pandemic and lessons for Asia Pacific economics

The growing relevance that the Internet has taken on the development of people, businesses, and the digital economy, as well as its influence in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, has motivated States to generate different regulatory frameworks to ensure the proper functioning of the network. One of the most outstanding elements of these frameworks is ensuring access and use without discrimination for those on the net through the principle of net neutrality.


India’s FTA with the EU: opportunities and challenges in services sector

Trade in services has been of special interest to both India and the EU as services are a major contributor to GDP and trade flows in the two economies. Steadily rising services trade between India and the EU is, however, characterized by certain peculiarities, which are worth noticing. These include differences across sub-sectors, trading partners, modes of trade and regulatory barriers. These make it worth exploring the potential costs and benefits of increasing trade flows through trade agreements even further while also diversifying the sub-sectors and the destination countries.


Regulatory Barriers in Implementing Digital Health Interventions

The integration of digital technology into healthcare systems holds promise for improving services in developing countries, especially in remote and underserved regions. However, different types of challenges can impede the implementation and sustainability of digital health initiatives. Technical issues in remote areas, political instability leading to policy-related challenges, and inadequate government support are obstacles to progress. Regulatory barriers can create challenges for the effective implementation of digital health interventions.


Regulation of Digital Health and Health Data in the Asia Pacific Region

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of digital health (DH) interventions in the Asia Pacific. This is evidenced in the 2022 Global Digital Health Monitor, with 58% of ESCAP members scoring 4 or higher, countries like Australia, Malaysia, PR China, and Thailand lead in DH categories. It is critical that countries establish national DH strategies that integrate goals and resources in digital health. The integration of national DH strategies into overall health policies faces challenges in regulation, implementation, and enforcement in the Asia Pacific, including LMICs.


Promoting sustainable development through digital trade and digital trade policies

This paper examines the role of digital trade policy in promoting sustainable development. It starts from the conceptual framework of digital trade, as well as the interplay between digital transformation and the roles of trade and investment as means to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is supported by examination of the growth in digital trade, with special attention to Developing Countries (DCs) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and broad inferences regarding the implications for more inclusive and sustainable development.