Thinking Aloud: Volume VI, Issue 9: February 2020

The February 2020 issue of Thinking Aloud focuses on “South Asian Countries in Global Trade”. The first-page article titled “Global Trade Regime in Turmoil: An Appraisal for Re-energizing Regional Integration in South Asia” emphasizes that in the face of the turmoil in the global trade regime, there is a need for re-energizing the regional integration process in South Asia. There is a need for reforming the regional trade architecture in South Asia which can be conducive for better preparedness for the South Asian countries against the turmoil in the global trade regime. The second and third pages of this issue present three articles. The article titled “Trade Logistics: Where do South Asian Countries Stand?” stresses that South Asia has low LPI score on customs, initiating changes in the existing procedures of customs by adapting practices which are done by high LPI scoring countries can certainly improve overall trade logistics performance. On the other hand, policies in favor of facilitating transportation infrastructure are highly recommended for South Asian countries because it is also a prime reason for low LPI. The article on “Analysis of the Export Composition of South Asian Countries” states that inadequate infrastructural capacity, inadequate investment in research and development, weak institutional performance, and inadequate physical and human capital are the key problems of expanding the export composition of South Asian countries. The article titled “South Asian Countries’ Integration with the Global Value Chain: Opportunities and Challenges” highlights that with a joint effort from all stakeholders including government, NGOs, development partners and policy makers, South Asia can be more integrated as a region in the world and ascertain its untapped economic potential. The fourth page covers the events that took place in the month of January.