Recent Working Papers

* The ADBI Working Paper series is a continuation of the formerly named Discussion Paperseries; the numbering of the papers has continued without interruption or change.

An Empirical Analysis of East Asian Computer Exports
Author: Willem Thorbecke

For the last 15 years, computers have been the leading export category from East Asia to the rest of the world. A new study reveals that if global growth remains slow, computer exports may no longer remain an engine of growth unless demand for final goods in the region increases.

Read Working Paper 160.

The Role and Effectiveness of Unconventional Monetary Policy
Author: Peter Morgan

This paper reviews the effectiveness of unconventional monetary policies and their relevance for emerging markets. Such policies may be useful either when interbank rates fall to zero, or when a credit crunch or rise in risk premium impairs the normal transmission mechanism of monetary policy.

Read Working Paper 163.

An Empirical Analysis of ASEAN's Labor-Intensive Exports
Author: Willem Thorbecke

Results of this study indicate that profit margins for laborintensive manufactures are thin and that slow growth abroad will curtail ASEAN's exports. These findings imply that policymakers should seek to promote domestic demand, expand the technological base, and consider exchange rate coordination to mitigate “beggar-thy-neighbor” policies.

Read Working Paper 166.

Reform of the International Financial Architecture: An Asian Perspective
Author: Masahiro Kawai

It has taken two crises—the Asian financial crisis of 1997–1998 and the global financial crisis of 2007–2009—for the international community to focus on international financial architecture reform for crisis prevention, management, and resolution. This paper argues that the current architecture is not adequate for the needs of many emerging market economies.

Read Working Paper 167.

Political Economy of East Asian Regional Integration and Cooperation
Author: Saori N. Katada

This paper focuses on the political factors that have thus far shaped the institutional form of East Asian regional trade and financial cooperation and argues that economic institutions established through the cooperation efforts of the last ten years fall far short of overcoming unexpected political tensions in the region.

Read Working Paper 170.

Origin and Beyond: Trade Facilitation Disaster or Trade Facilitation Opportunity?
Authors: Brian Rankin Staples and Jeremy Harris

The information required for the international sale and movement of goods, taking advantage of preferential tariffs, and complying with the vast array of environmental, security, and consumer safety requirements is significant. The authors explore mechanisms for reducing barriers imposed by rules of origin through effective trade facilitation efforts, and argue that that the key is information management.

Read Working Paper 171.