Trade Facilitation and Better Connectivity for an Inclusive Asia and Pacfic

Trade helps drive inclusive growth and poverty reduction. Strong value added from trade-related activities contributes to economic growth and development in developing Asia. Global trade helps reallocate capital and labor toward sectors with comparative advantage. And international trade is one important way to help meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The beneficial links between trade and investment catalyzes economic transformation, job creation, and skill development—which all support SDG 8 (promoting decent work and economic growth), SDG 9 (building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization and fostering innovation), SDG 10 (reducing
inequality within and among countries), and SDG 17 (revitalized and enhanced global partnership) (Kituyi 2016).