Trade Promotion Research Articles

Do clean fuel and trade-openness reduce environmental degradation in China: evidence from asymmetric model

IntroductionThis study investigates the relationship between economic growth, clean fuel utilization, trade, and environmental pollution. By focusing on the potential of clean fuels and trade in reducing pollution, this research aims to understand their role in promoting environmental sustainability in China from 1990 to 2020.MethodsThe study employs the Nonlinear Autoregressive Distributed Lags (NARDL) approach to analyze time series data. This method enables the decomposition of impacts from clean fuels and trade on pollution levels, facilitating an understanding of their distinct contributions to environmental outcomes.ResultsFindings indicate that economic growth is associated with an increase in pollution levels, while clean fuel usage exhibits a modest but significant reduction effect. Nonetheless, the relatively small coefficients highlight the need for a greater share of clean fuels in China’s energy mix. Additionally, trade shows a significant negative relationship with pollution emissions, with data reflecting a gradual decline in pollution over time.DiscussionThese results underscore the benefits of clean fuel adoption and trade promotion as effective measures for mitigating pollution. However, they also highlight the necessity for stronger regulatory policies, public awareness initiatives, and investments in sustainable technologies to ensure China’s long-term environmental sustainability.

Article: The Contribution of the Canadian-European Partnership to the Integration of Sustainable Development Issues into the Multilateral Trading System

In their influential roles within the World Trade Organization (WTO), Canada and the European Union (EU) demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainable development and multilateralism, navigating challenges and opportunities. Plurilateral negotiations, particularly the Joint Statement Initiatives (JSI), underscore their dedication to addressing issues like services regulation and fostering inclusive trade. The institutional framework of their Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) provides a structured mechanism, with specialized committees like the one on Trade and Sustainable Development, to ensure transparency, regulatory cooperation, and trade promotion aligned with sustainable development goals. However, challenges persist in achieving consensus on binding commitments. The temptation of unilateralism, exemplified by the EU’s carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM), raises concerns about its compatibility with WTO principles and the potential prioritization of sustainability over economic development. Despite these challenges, Canada and the EU continue to champion sustainable development in various international forums, emphasizing the importance of the WTO as the primary platform for reconciling trade and sustainability. The forthcoming thirteenth WTO Ministerial Conference in 2024 presents a crucial opportunity for these leaders to demonstrate a significant commitment to a balanced approach between economic development and sustainability in international trade.

Catching Up with the Future: Diplomacy for a New Global Landscape

Summary This contribution discusses the impact of three structural phenomena on the strategic functions of future diplomacy. The first is the shifting global power balance, which has important consequences for the manner in which European ministries of foreign affairs reposition themselves with regard to both big and middle powers. The assertiveness of big, revisionist states implies a return to realpolitik in which hard power takes centre stage. The ascendency of middle powers reinforces the need to build equal partnerships with increasingly influential non-Western countries. The other two game changers are the existential challenges of climate change and the ascent of artificial intelligence. A conflict-sensitive climate approach requires an adjusted diplomatic toolkit. Artificial intelligence has an effect on many different policy dimensions, from international governance to trade promotion. All these developments are relevant to the practice of diplomacy and the skills diplomats need in order to navigate through a changing global environment.

Foreign Trade Representative Strategy In Building The Image Of Indonesian Products In Australia

Trade relations between Indonesia and Australia have been around for a long time. This is proven by the commitment of the two countries to improve trade relations. However, in 2020 trade between the two countries experienced a significant decline due to the Covid-19 pandemic. As representatives of Indonesian trade in Australia, the trade attaché and the Indonesia Trade Promotion Center (ITPC) are crucial institutions in bridging trade between the two countries. So, this research aims to discuss the strategy of Indonesian trade representatives in Australia in building the image of Indonesian products. This research uses qualitative research methods and data collection with literature studies such as previous research, books, and official documents, the concept used is economic diplomacy in analyzing problems. The results of this research show that the strategy of Indonesian trade representatives in Australia was carried out in several stages, namely economic salesmanship, economic networking, image building, and regulatory management.

Could Digital Trade Promote Global Value Chain Participation? Evidence from Multinational Data

ABSTRACT Digital trade and global value chains are important topics in international trade, yet the relationship between them has yet to be fully verified. Based on the multinational panel dataset during 2007–2018, this article empirically studies the impact of digital trade on global value chain participation and its mechanism. The results show that digital trade significantly promotes global value chain participation. In terms of sub-dimensions, national competitiveness of digital services has a positive impact, while digital innovation environment has a negative impact. Digital trade is more conducive to promoting forward-linkage participation and the global value chain participation of developed countries. Digital trade promotes global value chain participation by reducing trade costs and improving technological innovation. The trade cost effect exists only in developed countries, and the technological innovation effect is verified in both developed and developing countries.

Agricultural Service Trade and Green Development: A Perspective Based on China’s Agricultural Total Factor Productivity

Agricultural service trade is closely related to the promotion of the sustainable development of China’s agriculture and is necessary for comprehensive rural revitalization. To clarify the relationship between trade in agricultural services and agricultural green total factor productivity (AGTFP) from a macroscopic perspective and then analyze the acting path and threshold effect, can provide an important reference for improving agriculture’s green level and realizing the sustainable development of agriculture. This paper uses the provincial panel data of China from 2007 to 2022 to measure agricultural green total factor productivity (AGTFP) using the SBM-GML model and explores the impact of agricultural service trade on AGTFP with the help of the fixed effect model, the mediation effect model, and the threshold model. According to this study: (1) Trade in agricultural services can significantly increase AGTFP. (2) Mechanism analysis shows that trade in agricultural services can promote AGTFP through promoting industrial agglomeration, enhancing technological innovation, and improving factor allocation. (3) Heterogeneity analysis shows that trade in agricultural services has a more obvious role in promoting AGTFP in the eastern region and the main grain marketing area. (4) The threshold effect finds that the promotion of agricultural services trade on AGTFP will gradually increase as the level of government support rises. Therefore, China should actively promote the development of agricultural service trade, implement the concept of sustainable development, improve the level of government support, and promote the improvement in agricultural total factor productivity and sustainable development.

Nexus between country governance, globalization, sustainable development policy, fair trade and economic sustainability: a mediation-moderation approach

Sustainable development of the economy is the goal of every country in the world. The eco¬nomic growth of China is accepted worldwide, but the Chinese economy also suffers from an economic crisis. The role of the Chinese government is important for chinses businesses and the economic sus¬tainability of the country. The theoretical framework of this study is designed to determine the impact of globalization and sustainable development policy on fair trade and economic sustainability in China. A questionnaire based on Likert scale were employed with a random sampling technique to collect the cross-sectional data for this research and 1094 responses were collected at the rate of 55%. AMOS sta-tistics tool was employed for the findings of this study based on a research questionnaire. The research concludes that globalization and sustainable development policy have a significant impact on fair trade and economic sustainability in China. This study introduced a new framework related to economic sus¬tainability in the body of knowledge. The theoretical and practical implications of this study have signif¬icance for literature and practitioners in China to achieve sustainability in the economy. The research is novel as it highlighted the importance of globalization and sustainable development policy for fair trade and economic development in China. Accordingly, it would be helpful for the policy makers to have reli¬able decisions for sustainable development and promotion of fair trade.

Bottleneck to Success: Case Study on Scaling Up Issues of Indian Start-ups

The dynamic growth of start-up companies in India has significantly disrupted the business landscape. However, many start-ups encounter substantial setbacks during the scaling-up stage. This qualitative study explores the challenges faced by Indian start-ups as they scale their businesses. The findings reveal that the primary obstacles include the non-availability of financial resources, difficulties in acquiring the right talent, and challenges in achieving product acceptance. According to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), India is home to over 50,000 start-ups as of 2023, with a yearly growth rate of approximately 12-15%. Despite this robust growth, data shows that about 90% of Indian start-ups fail within the first five years, primarily due to scaling issues. This study highlights that limited access to financial resources remains a critical barrier, with start-ups often struggling to secure funding beyond the initial stages. Talent acquisition is another major hurdle, as start-ups compete with established companies for skilled professionals. Furthermore, gaining market acceptance for new products poses significant challenges due to high competition and market saturation. By developing a comprehensive model, the study demonstrates that government intervention can play a crucial role in addressing these challenges. Initiatives like the Startup India program, which offers tax benefits, easier compliance, and funding support, are steps in the right direction. Additionally, the results underscore the importance of clearly defining problem statements, exercising patience, and possessing a risk-taking ability as essential factors for the success of start-up companies.

RCEP: IMPLICATIONS AND CHALLENGES FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION IN A CHANGING GLOBAL ECONOMY

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), emanating from the core principles of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), represents a significant evolution in regional economic cooperation. This article delves into the intricate dynamics of RCEP, emphasizing its inception, growth, and the profound implications it holds for the European Union (EU). Tracing the history of ASEAN and its expansion, the paper examines how the ASEAN's Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with nations outside Southeast Asia, including China, South Korea, New Zealand, Australia, and India, laid the groundwork for RCEP. The study highlights the strategic objectives of RCEP in fostering trade liberalization and economic integration among its member states, while also addressing disputes and promoting regional stability. The signing of RCEP in November 2020 marked a pivotal moment in Asia-Pacific economic relations, promising significant shifts in global trade dynamics. This research critically analyses the potential impact of RCEP on the EU, particularly in terms of trade, foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows, and the broader implications for the global multilateral trading system. The paper also explores how RCEP could reshape the EU's role and strategies in regional and global economic contexts, assessing the challenges and opportunities it presents for EU-ASEAN collaborations. The evolving relationship between Southeast Asia and the EU under the shadow of RCEP, including the promotion of regional trade at micro and macro levels, forms a critical part of this analysis. The study aims to provide comprehensive insights into the multifaceted effects of RCEP on the EU, offering valuable perspectives for policymakers and stakeholders in both regions.

Enigma of Sub-Regional Integration in Africa: The Case of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC), 1994-2020

This chapter examines the enigma of Sub-regional economic integration in the Communauté Economique et Monétaire de l’Afrique Central (CEMAC) zone. The sub-regional integration idea was born out of the need for a united Africa during the immediate independence period, to be achieved through a gradual, but steady process. Although instituted in 1994, CEMAC was a re-make of the Economic and Customs Union of Central Africa (UDEAC) created in 1964. CEMAC was established, to promote sub-regional integration among central African states that shared a common legal tender, the CFA franc, through the promotion of trade, a genuine common market and greater solidarity. Albeit recording some inroads, CEMAC lagged behind its objectives, due to tardiness and overall poor implementation of policies, limited technical capacity, divergent attitudes of member states towards integration and absence of sanctions against states that disrespect community norms. The chapter sustains that such diverse political, economic, and socio-cultural impediments could only be halted through a joint approach, for remedial renewal by all stakeholders for a truly integrated economic CEMAC sub-region. This investigation shall be based on secondary and primary data, interpreted qualitatively and presented thematically. Keywords: Enigma, Economic integration, CEMAC, Sub-regionalism, Africa.

Protecting privacy in the digital marketplace: A comparative study of legal mechanisms for consumer rights in the metaverse

The promotion of fair trade and consumer protection is the heart of every nation. The world, during the struggles of the COVID-19 pandemic, has witnessed huge growth in e-commerce markets and has scaled new heights by reducing e-physical barriers and maintaining social distancing. E-commerce entities have been trying to fill the gaps in their business by incorporating a new type of e-commerce market called business to avatar (B2A) through the metaverse. These technologies have been providing personalised recommendations and have been very profitable for every e-commerce platform and consumer. However, this win-win situation is marred by an increase in consumer privacy and data protection concerns. This paper explores the legal regulations protecting consumer privacy in India, analysing whether the existing legislation adequately addresses contemporary privacy challenges, especially when compared to the robust legal framework in the US and EU. Based on the research, the authors observe that: (i) adoption of the metaverse application in e-commerce has fundamentally benefited consumers; (ii) the developing e-commerce market has been adversely impacted by consumer privacy and data protection concerns; and (iii) to create a balance between developing e-commerce industries and to build consumer trust the regulators are required to improve the level of supervision along with imposing a huge penalty for data breaches. Finally, a way forward is suggested to achieve a constitutional mandate for the state to protect the fundamental right to privacy of every individual.

The impact of Chinese overseas industrial parks on the productive capability of BRI host countries

Overseas industrial parks (OIPs) offer platforms to host countries for foreign and domestic company agglomeration in key industries to promote economic development. This study examined 123 Chinese OIPs in “Belt and Road Initiative” (BRI) countries to study the productive effects in the host countries for a sample period of 2010 to 2018. It was found that Chinese OIPs, especially high-tech, logistics, multi-sector and state-owned ones, significantly increased local productive capabilities through trade promotion and employment generation. Host countries with higher level of governance, business environment, finance, transport, and bilateral investment protection had more pronounced effects. This paper provides evidence for China's industrial park spillovers and insights into the internationalization performances of developing economies.

Beyond revolutions: Mao-era China’s market entry strategies in Latin America

How did the People’s Republic of China develop commercial relations with the Global South during its Maoist years? This paper aims to explore the question through China’s market entry strategies in Latin America. Latin America posed significant challenges for Mao-era China in establishing robust relations. Under intense US pressure and the dominance of conservative politics, most Latin American nations maintained minimal commercial and political ties with China until 1971 when Beijing replaced Taipei in the UN. Notable exceptions were Cuba, following its armed revolution in 1959, and Chile, after its peaceful revolution in 1970, which formally recognised the PRC, leading to substantial trade agreements. This paper examines Chinese trade promotion in the region during the 1960s and early 1970s, contending that commercial ties, particularly Chinese exports to Latin America, were not simply the inevitable outcome of these revolutions and the establishment of diplomatic relations. Policy makers in Beijing and Chinese commercial representatives in Latin America strategically navigated market entry by leveraging cultural promotions, focusing on competitive Chinese products, notably processed foods, and tapping into the Chinese Overseas community as intermediaries. These strategies not only cultivated a favourable image of China in the region but also acquainted Latin American consumers with Chinese brands and products. Moreover, the paper analyzes how Chinese trade promoters recognised and addressed the nuances and disparities among Latin American countries, comprehended the significance of Cuba and Chile within the region, and contextualised Latin America’s position in the global market.

Sustainability of Nigeria’s Rail Transport System: An Economic Perspective

The availability of an efficient transport system is germane in achieving trade promotion, social integration, business connectivity and economic development because transport plays relevant role in the growth of nation’s market. Some scholars have given undeniable linkages to the role of rail transport in economic development while there are deferring summations by some scholars hence this study explored the economic sustainability of Nigeria’s rail transport system to contribute to the body of knowledge debating the economic sustainability of rail transport globally. Previous researches have also been done in Nigeria and internationally on the subject area using different approaches but this research used concurrent triangulation design to validate the formulated hypothesis that rail transport system has not significantly affected local economic development. This was validated using simple linear regression and key informant interview (KII). The theoretical lens for the study is the Rostow’s stages of economic growth. The result, [R2= .12, F (1, 172) = 24.31, p < .01] showed that rail transport has contributed significantly to the local economic development and the KII generally reinforce the empirical findings hence hypothesis is rejected. This study recommended the permitting of more vendors providing services at the terminal as this will lead to vibrant local economic development whilst improving the standard of living of residents and the adoption of a holistic economic sustainability policy be embraced by the managers of rail transport system in the country.

The Role of the French Language in facilitating Trade: A Case Study of Maje Border Town Markets

This study explores the role that the French language plays in promoting trade in Maje's marketplaces, a well-known border town. Maje, which is located where cultural and economic exchanges converge, provides an intriguing backdrop for examining the complex relationships that exist between language, trade, and cross-border connections. The research explores the particular ways in which the French language influences business operations, communication patterns, and market dynamics in Maje through the use of a case study technique enhanced by anthropological inquiry. The study looks at how common French is among dealers, clients, and other stakeholders as a lingua franca through observations, interviews, and linguistic studies. The study looks into the various ways that the French language is used in the marketplace to facilitate cross-cultural interactions, negotiate agreements, and mediate transactions. It examines the linguistic tactics used by market players, such as code-switching, language accommodation, and cultural adaptation, to take capitalize on French proficiency for business benefit. The study also assesses the effects of fluency in French on competitive advantage, market segmentation, and market integration. It takes into account how linguistic asymmetries and impediments may affect a variety of stakeholders' access to markets, ability to establish trust, and economic prospects. Our understanding of the socio-economic dynamics driving cross-border commerce is enhanced by this study's illumination of the complex interactions between language and trade in border town markets. In border regions where the French language is significant, the findings offer insightful information to policymakers, market participants, and language planners who aim to encourage inclusive economic development and cross-cultural understanding. Keywords: French language, Trade promotion, Linguistic tactics, Market dynamics, Cross-cultural interactions, Competitive advantage

기술수용모델을 이용한 수출기업의 전자송장도입에 관한 연구

Digital trade refers to the application of digital technology in the traditional trade method, and is evaluated to play a big role in improving the traditional trade process and improving efficiency. In particular, the introduction and use of e-invoicing is evaluated to contribute to the promotion of international trade by minimizing trade transaction costs between the parties to the transaction. The introduction and use of e-invoicing is being discussed in various ways in multilateral, bilateral, and multilateral trade agreements. This study analyzed the effect of innovation and economic feasibility, which are external factors of a company, on the intention to introduce and use e-invoicing systems and use e-invoicing by domestic export companies using the technology acceptance model. In the future, it is judged that the use of e-invoicing by Korean export companies will contribute to innovating and optimizing the global trade process, and it was suggested that it is necessary to actively introduce an e-invoicing system to secure the external competitiveness of Korean export companies.

Symphony of sustainability: how technology similarity impacts international trade patterns in environmental goods.

The global consensus on sustainable development and environmental cooperation has prompted the promotion of trade in environmental goods (EGs) for green growth. This study delves into the diversity of EGs trade patterns, using decomposed environmental technology similarity indicators to reveal the technological drivers. Linking innovation indicators to trade performance in EGs provides new insights into the determinants of inequality in environmental governance cooperation. Based on an extended gravity model, we empirically analyze their impact on bilateral EGs trade flows among 176 countries over the period 2002-2019. The study finds that (1) the global EGs trade network presents a "core-periphery" structure, with increased network density and participation of developing countries. (2) Technology similarity contributes significantly to EGs trade. Compared to competition, technology complementarity has a greater impact on EGs trade flows. (3) The influence of technology similarity varies across trade patterns and product complexity explains the mechanisms, with technology complementarity promoting more trade in high-complexity products, mainly concentrated in the trade from Northern countries, while technology competition greatly promotes the export of low-complexity products from the South. (4) Technology similarity helps to overcome information barriers in EGs trade, and its trade-enhancing effects exhibit geographical regionalization. The findings offer empirical evidence on the technological drivers of EGs trade and provide policy implications for fostering inclusive global environmental governance and enhancing the competitive advantages of Southern countries, fostering more opportunities for green growth.

Anomaly in Supervision of MSME Partnerships in Indonesia: Comparison of Indonesia, Malaysia, and VietnamAnomaly in Supervision of MSME Partnerships in Indonesia: Comparison of Indonesia, Malaysia, and VietnamAnomaly in Supervision of MSME Partnerships in

Partnership for micro, small, and medium enterprises (“MSMEs”) is a strategy to improve the quality of MSMEs through sharing knowledge and technology, funding, etc. Therefore, Law No. 20/2008 jo. Government Regulation No.7/2021 regulates the implementation of MSME partnerships. One of them is related to the Supervision of MSME Partnerships carried out by the Business Competition Supervisory Commission “(KPPU”). This study aims to test whether the KPPU’s authority to oversee MSME partnerships is appropriate or not. By compiling a list of laws and regulations, journals, and other materials, this study employs a normative juridical methodology. The data obtained will be analyzed qualitatively by concluding inductively. As a result, the supervision of MSME partnerships by KPPU does not follow the basis and objectives of the establishment of KPPU. Compared to Malaysia, all MSME development activities are regulated and supervised by SME Corporation Malaysia (SME Corp. Malaysia) as an authority under the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (“MEDAC”). Meanwhile, in Vietnam, the Government established The Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE) which is under the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam with one of the tasks of its authority to develop MSMEs and encourage MSME cooperation with large companies. Seeing this comparison, it is appropriate that the authority to manage all MSME activities including partnerships is given to an institution whose main focus is handling the MSME sector in Indonesia, namely the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs.
 Keywords: supervision, MSME partnerships, comparison

Industrial Policy and Trade Promotion in Uruguay: What are the Effects?

Industrial Policy and Trade Promotion in Uruguay: What are the Effects?

Competitiveness of Vietnam tuna export industry in the European market

Export competitiveness is a relatively late research topic, but there has been a rapid increase in the number of studies in the last three decades. To date, this topic is not only a concern of researchers but also businesses, manufacturing industries, and countries, especially policymakers. In this study, we evaluate Vietnam's tuna export competitiveness in the European market through industry competitiveness indicators, including manifest comparative advantage (RCA), export market share (MS), and export price. In addition, the gravity model is used to determine the factors determining the competitiveness of Vietnam's tuna export industry in this market. The research results show that the competitiveness of Vietnamese tuna in the European market is quite high and tends to increase but is still much weaker than leading competitors such as Thailand, Ecuador, and Spain. The deciding factor for competitiveness is the large amount of domestically exploited tuna. Although the product quality is still low compared to major competitors in the market, it has improved rapidly in recent years. In addition, the suitability of tuna products exported from Vietnam to the import market and exchange rate fluctuations favorable to exports are other competitive advantages, among them, the exchange rate is the biggest decisive role. On the contrary, import taxes are the biggest barrier that reduces competitiveness in this market. To improve competitiveness and move towards sustainable development of the tuna export industry, Vietnam needs to make great efforts, especially strictly controlling domestic tuna resources, avoiding overexploitation, and focusing on improving high product quality. Furthermore, Vietnam needs to focus on meeting the commitment conditions in signed free trade agreements, actively research the market, focus on trade promotion policies, and strengthen trade connections with other import countries.