Asian international production networks (IPNs) started by the changes of MNCs’ strategies on international fragmentation of production in responding to rapid globalization, technology changes, and increasingly ope n trade and investment environments in Asian countries in the 1980s. The phenomenon was fuelled in the 1990s by the opening of China which ha s emerged as a global centre for manufacturing assembly. Currently, the grow ing IPNs have a significant impact on merchandise trade patterns and regional integration among Asian economies. The phenomenon has led to dramatic expansion in trade in parts and components with a notable development in exports by Asia-Pacific. The share of the Asia-Pacific region in total world exports of parts and components has been increasing since the 1990s, especially during the past 10 years...

Studies in Trade and Investment No. 75 (ST/ESCAP/2624)