## Preferential Trade Agreements in the Asia-Pacific Region

_IMF Working Papers, July 1, 2005_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Preferential Trade Agreements in the Asia-Pacific Region](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/31/preferential-trade-agreements-in-the-asia-pacific-region-18370)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/31/preferential-trade-agreements-in-the-asia-pacific-region-18370/index.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/31/preferential-trade-agreements-in-the-asia-pacific-region-18370/index.json)
- [Bundle manifest](/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/31/preferential-trade-agreements-in-the-asia-pacific-region-18370/bundle-manifest.json)

## Bibliographic details
- Authors: Tubagus Feridhanusetyawan
- Published: July 1, 2005
- Series: IMF Working Papers
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781451861686.001

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### Overview
- Preferential trade agreements (PTAs) in the Asia-Pacific region have proliferated rapidly over the past five years and are creating a complex web of intersecting bilateral and regional trade agreements.
- The paper describes the proliferation of these PTAs, discusses their characteristics and implementation, and assesses their potential effects.
- Realizing potential gains from Asia-Pacific PTAs depends on several implementation and policy factors; administrative complications could undermine gains.

### Major findings and assessments
- Proliferation: PTAs in the Asia-Pacific region have increased rapidly over the past five years, producing a complex network of intersecting bilateral and regional agreements.
- Characteristics and implementation: The paper examines the specific characteristics of Asia-Pacific PTAs and how they are implemented by participating countries.
- Potential effects: The paper assesses potential gains from PTAs and identifies conditions required to realize those gains.
- Risks to gains:
  - Lack of liberalization in sensitive sectors can limit potential benefits.
  - Inconsistent provisions across agreements can reduce effectiveness.
  - Weak enforcement of agreements can undermine outcomes.
  - Administrative complications may offset any potential gains.

### Policy recommendations and prerequisites to realize gains
- Commit to liberalize sensitive sectors to unlock potential benefits from PTAs.
- Maintain consistent provisions across agreements to avoid fragmentation and reduce compliance costs.
- Enforce agreements effectively to ensure promised benefits accrue.
- Address administrative complications that could undermine PTA benefits through improved procedures and capacity.

### Subject areas and keywords
- Subject: Customs unions, Tariffs, Trade agreements, Trade liberalization, Valuation, origin and classification
- Keywords: ASEAN member, ASEAN secretariat, ASEAN trade, Asia-Pacific PTAs, framework agreement, tariff reduction, trade diversion, WP

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## Content in this bundle

- **1. PTAs Involving Asia-Pacific Countries**
  - [1. PTAs Involving Asia-Pacific Countries (Markdown version)](/-/media/websites/imf/imported-full-text-pdf/external/pubs/ft/wp/2005/_wp05149.pdf.md){rel="alternate" type="text/markdown"}
  - [1. PTAs Involving Asia-Pacific Countries (PDF)](/-/media/websites/imf/imported-full-text-pdf/external/pubs/ft/wp/2005/_wp05149.pdf){rel="external" type="application/pdf"}

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_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/31/preferential-trade-agreements-in-the-asia-pacific-region-18370_