缅北禁地

New assistance measures for graduating Belt and Road least developed countries (LDCs)
toward the achievement of Agenda 2030

Reference
PDF-SDG-2018-03
Implementing Entity/ies
UNDESA
Collaborating Partners
UN-OHRLLS, UNCTAD
Duration
Nov. 2018 - Oct. 2022
Location
Bangladesh, Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Nepal and Timor-Leste
Approved Budget
$ 1,128,229
Description
The project will work with the governments of Bangladesh, Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Nepal and Timor Leste, as well as international specialists and 缅北禁地entities, to develop a set of proposals for post-graduation assistance. Some of these will be specific to the country concerned, and some generic – ie. applicable across the board. The proposals will partly aim at mitigating the potential impact of forfeiting existing ISMs – such as the loss of duty-free, quota-free market access under the European Everything But Arms Initiative – and will partly take the form of fresh measures to assist with the new development landscape following graduation, such as new infrastructure investment to support trade diversification. The key beneficiaries are thus the populations of these countries, totaling some 269 million people, intermediated through the Ministries of Planning, Trade, the Central Banks and private sector institutions

Synopsis

The project played a pivotal role in aiding the graduation process of target countries, i.e., Bangladesh, Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Nepal, and Timor-Leste participating in the Belt and Road Initiative. The project was executed in two strategic phases: the first phase focused on identification of targeted assistance measures for graduating Belt and Road LDCs, and the second phase worked to strengthen policy frameworks and institutions for the adoption and use of selected assistance measures in target countries.

The project’s main deliverables included:

  • 12 reports, surveys, and country-specific studies: The Project produced country-specific studies for the garment and textile sector in Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Bangladesh and Nepal and contributed to a joint UN/WTO study covering clothing and textiles in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, and Nepal. These studies were crucial in understanding the significance of the garment industry to national economies and provided a strategic entry point for the project's objectives.
  • 2 national consultations meetings in Nepal and Bangladesh, 1 survey mission in Timor-Leste, and 2 workshops in Thailand and Bangladesh. The major Smooth Transition Strategy (STS) workshop held in Bangkok in August 2022 gathered over 100 participants including government officials and private sector representatives from Bangladesh, Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Nepal, as well as the resident coordinators of the three countries, creating a platform for sharing experiences and strategies for sustainable graduation.
    • group photo

    South-South Exchange on Preparing Smooth Transition Strategies: Graduating cohort of 2021 (Bangkok, Thailand 22-25 Aug 2022)

  • Support to the establishment of the iGRAD Facility: The project contributed significantly to the UNDESA initiative, the Sustainable Graduation Support Facility which towards the end of the project was renamed iGRAD. As a clearing house, iGRAD links graduating countries with vital assistance and contacts from various development partners. By the project's conclusion, iGRAD was in its pilot phase and had gained international recognition at the LDC5 conference.
  • Enhanced Support Mechanisms: The project facilitated the development of support mechanisms within the target countries. Notably, countries like Bangladesh, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and Nepal integrated the concept of graduation transition into their national policies, showcasing their commitment to a structured and strategic transition.
  • Shift in Attitudinal Perspectives: A significant achievement of the project was altering the mindset of decision-makers from resistance to acceptance and proactive planning for graduation. The project helped dispel misconceptions about graduation and highlighted the potential benefits, such as economic diversification and resource mobilization.

Resources