TRADE AND INVESTMENT INFORMATION EXCHANGE

ESCAP espouses the strengthening of information flows in trade and trade-related information. Since about 1977, a series of activities have been planned and implemented on the provision of timely and accurate trade and trade-related information, using the latest available information technology, as an integral part of ESCAP's work in trade promotion.

With the advent of information technology, national trade information focal points must be equipped to communicate speedily and enable the exchange of trade, market and business information of a regional and global nature among ESCAP members and associate members.

Databases on exporters and foreign buyers, profiles of target markets and countries, the import requirements of other countries, trade statistics, and others have been developed, while some trade assistance organizations are also in the process of building up capacities for real-time information exchange: quota status, market prices, and business opportunities.

Recent ESCAP initiatives in trade and investment information exchange include a series of meetings relating to encouraging the widening of national information bases to include beyond resources national boundaries. A Seminar for the Development of Asia Pacific Information Exchange (APIX) was held, in cooperation with the University Auckland, New Zealand, on 18 - 19 November 1996.

The objectives of the Seminar are:

1. To expedite trade and investment information exchange and to increase the use of modern information technology and electronic data interchange (EDI).
2. To enable managers of selected Regional Trade Information Network National Focal Points (TISNET/NFPs) to increase their capabilities and to improve trade and investment information exchange, as well as to equip them to be sensitized and responsive to trade efficiency.