Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/177770 
Year of Publication: 
2017
Series/Report no.: 
ARTNeT Working Paper Series No. 173
Publisher: 
Asia-Pacific Research and Training Network on Trade (ARTNeT), Bangkok
Abstract: 
Trade and investment can be effective means of implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. However, stand-alone trade and investment liberalization policies aimed at enhancing economic development may have negative side-effects on non-economic facets of sustainable development. As such, they are best to be accompanied by trade facilitation measures, as well as environmental, social and other complementary policies. In this paper, a computable general equilibrium (CGE) analysis is carried out using a modified Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) model and database to empirically evaluate the economic, social and environmental impacts of alternative policy changes in Asia and the Pacific. The CGE analysis confirms that trade and investment liberalization are essential drivers of economic development. The economic growth and trade benefits from trade facilitation generally dwarf those from tariff liberalization and, to a lesser extent, those achieved through investment liberalization. While results vary across subregions in the Asia-Pacific, both trade facilitation and investment liberalization also contribute positively to reducing inequality and undernourishment. However, the CGE analysis shows that liberalization policies increase CO2 emissions at the regional level. Importantly, economic growth in Asia and the Pacific is enhanced when regional liberalization policies are complemented by domestic social policy and global implementation of the environmental commitments under the Paris Accord.
Subjects: 
Trade
Trade Models
International Trade Agreements
Liberalization
Nontariff Barrier
Trade Policy
Economic Integration
Trade Simulation
Trade and Environment
JEL: 
F10
F12
F13
F15
F17
F18
Q56
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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