This policy brief reviews the key drivers behind the successful catch - up through a comparative analysis of Republic of Korea and Brazil. These two economies represent an interesting case in that until the 1980s, the GDP of Brazil was higher than that of Republic of Korea. Thereafter, the two economies took different paths, with Brazil becoming stuck in so - called “middle - income trap” and Republic of Korea making a significant progress.

This policy brief examines the extent to which micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) have benefited from the conclusion of trade agreements involving ASEAN member states. Key findings:

The Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement (KAFTA) entered force on 12 December 2014, expanding trade opportunities among two of the Asia-Pacific's largest trading economies. This policy brief summarizes the process of concluding a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and moving to implementation from the perspective of Australian experience.

Although the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize for 2014 to Malala Yousafzai demonstrates recognition of girl’s education as a political issue, the education of girls also has economic repercussions that specifically affect trade.

This policy brief reviews the Republic of Korea’s experience in implementing Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with a particular focus on measures taken to increase the utilization of preferences available under FTAs by Korean exporters. Key findings:

SMEs are vital for growth and jobs in Bangladesh, accounting for 40 per cent of all employment. In comparison with large enterprises and micro enterprises, SMEs have traditionally been underserved in terms of access to credit. However, more recently collateral-free  loans  through  bank  lending  have  become  available  to  SMEs with the central bank’s growing focus on SME financing.

This policy brief reviews the level of labour market integration in ASEAN and assesses labour market reforms being undertaken as part of the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) . Key findings:

Kazakhstan joined the Eurasian Customs Union (ECU) with Russia and Belarus in 2010 leading to changes in Kazakhstan’s tariff schedule and non - tariff measures (NTMs). By 2015, tariffs will nearly have doubled on a trade - weighted basis from 2009. NTMs have also become more trade restrictive. This has led to some trade diversion towards ECU partners and away from other trading partners, in particular the European Union and China. Kazakhstan has been negotiating World Trade Organization (WTO) membership since 1996.

In response to tightening global competition and the ripple effects of the 2008 economic crisis United States state and federal level competition law is being applied to counter software piracy’s effects on the competitiveness of foreign exporters; Sanctions range from fines to import bans Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, China, Pakistan and Viet Nam are among the countries with the highest levels of software piracy and dependence on exports to the United States and thus among the most exposed to the acts; Weighed against the general trade interests of the United States China, Sri Lanka, Viet Nam Tha

This policy brief argues that export bans are often ineffective in achieving their stated aims. The reason is that producers have a clear economic incentive to bypass the law, and continue to sell their product overseas. Export bans therefore tend to foster illegal transactions, which are a mixed bag from an economic point of view. On the one hand, they undercut the ban itself, which is usually a good thing in terms of efficiency.