New report examines the future of services trade in the 21st century

Exports of goods from members of Asia-Pacific Cooperation (APEC) are still five times larger than exports of services. The task force that prepared the report makes two specific proposals to increase trade in services. First, governments should establish regulatory principles for services, taking into account the distinctive character of the sector. Second, governments should consider whether services negotiations should be pursued on a stand-alone basis, i.e., independently of negotiations on agricultural and manufactured goods. The report arises from a conference held in Hong Kong, China, in June 2011, jointly organized by ADBI and the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council. Read more.

New working paper examines effectiveness of development aid

A new ADBI working paper by ADBI Director of Administration, Management and Coordination, Takashi Kihara, examines several indicators of effective development aid, focusing on major bilateral donors. It finds that Japanese aid has been as selective as that from some countries well-known for selective aid delivery. Japan provided more aid for countries with better policy and governance, and higher grant aid for low-income countries. Official development assistance provided by Japan since 1990 has been more closely correlated with the growth of GDP per capita of recipient countries than that of other donors. Read more.