ESCAP’s Trade Intelligence and Negotiation Advisor (TINA) 3.0, 21 January 2021

Summary

The launch of S-CAPS Trade Intelligence and Negotiation Advisor (TINA 3.0) marks a significant step in supporting international trade in the Asia-Pacific region. TINA is an online tool designed to assist trade policymakers and negotiators with analytical tasks crucial for trade agreement negotiations. Developed with input from trade negotiation teams, TINA automates time-consuming tasks, leveling the playing field for countries with limited resources. The tool aims to facilitate trade negotiations and advance a sustainable and inclusive Asia-Pacific region, particularly aiding economies graduating from least developed country status.

Takeaways

• 🌐 International trade has been a significant driver of economic and social progress in the Asia-Pacific region, contributing to lifting millions out of extreme poverty.
• 🛑 The focus in 2020 was on facilitating trade to secure essential supplies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, rather than restricting trade.
• 🚧 Despite the progress, international trade faces barriers, and multilateral processes to address them have been slow, leading to the reliance on bilateral, plurilateral, and regional trade agreements.
• 📈 As of December 2020, there were 184 trade agreements in force involving Asia-Pacific regional member states, with another hundred either signed or under negotiation.
• 📊 The pandemic has temporarily slowed down some negotiations, but trade agreements continue to grow in number, scope, and complexity.
• 🌟 The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is being advanced with the help of trade, and economies in the region require assistance in preparing for trade negotiations.
• 📚 Member states graduating from least developed country status are in urgent need of international support to negotiate new trade agreements to secure trade preferences.
• 🛠️ S-CAP has developed TINA (Trade Intelligence and Negotiation Advisor), an online tool to assist trade policymakers and negotiators in analytical tasks for trade agreement negotiations.
• 🤖 TINA automates tasks that are time-consuming and require specialized skills, enabling countries with limited resources to prepare effectively for trade negotiations.
• 🤝 TINA was developed in close consultation with trade negotiation teams from the Asia-Pacific region, incorporating state-of-the-art methodologies and technologies.
• 💪 S-CAP is committed to fostering new partnerships and ideas to support the negotiation of trade agreements for an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia-Pacific region.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of launching S-CAPS, Trade Intelligence and Negotiation Advisor (TINA) 3.0?

The primary purpose of launching TINA 3.0 is to assist trade policy makers and negotiators in carrying out analytical tasks commonly conducted in preparation for trade agreement negotiations, especially for countries with limited resources.

How has international trade impacted economic and social progress in Asia and the Pacific region?

International trade has been responsible for significant economic and social progress in Asia and the Pacific, helping to lift millions of people out of extreme poverty in the region and beyond.

What was the focus of trade policy makers in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic?

In 2020, trade policy makers prioritized facilitating trade rather than restricting it, focusing on securing access to essential supplies to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Why do many member states resort to bilateral, plurilateral, and regional trade agreements?

Many member states resort to these agreements because the progress to address trade barriers through multilateral processes has been slow, and they seek swifter access to the benefits offered by international trade.

As of December 2020, how many trade agreements were in force involving at least one Asia-Pacific regional member state?

As of December 2020, there were 184 trade agreements in force involving at least one Asia-Pacific regional member state.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected trade agreement negotiations?

While the pandemic has temporarily slowed down some negotiations, trade agreements have continued to grow in number, scope, and complexity.

What challenges do economies in the region face in preparing for trade negotiations?

Economies in the region, especially those about to graduate from the least developed countries status, face challenges in effectively preparing for trade negotiations and assessing the benefits of prospective trade deals.

What role does TINA play in helping countries with limited resources?

TINA automates tasks that require specialized analytical and data management skills, enabling countries with limited resources to benefit from the same level of preparation as larger economies.

How was TINA developed and what methodologies and technologies were used?

TINA was developed in close consultation with current and former members of trade negotiation teams throughout the Asia-Pacific region, using state-of-the-art methodologies and technologies.

What is S-CUP's commitment towards the development of new partnerships and ideas?

S-CUP is committed to developing new partnerships and ideas that will continue to support the negotiation of trade agreements to advance an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia-Pacific region.

What is the significance of the launch event for TINA 3.0?

The launch event signifies the introduction of an advanced tool designed to enhance the capabilities of trade negotiators and policy makers, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, in their pursuit of sustainable development and effective trade negotiations.