连接经济，增强妇女权能：南亚区域贸易和互联互通（英）2024

South Asia Regional Trade Facilitation Program (SARTFP)

Overview

The South Asia Regional Trade Facilitation Program (SARTFP) is a regional trust fund administered by the World Bank and financed by Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The program aims to support women's economic empowerment through trade facilitation and connectivity in the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal subregion.

Key Activities and Achievements

• Total Investments: Over $10 billion in World Bank investments, partly informed by SARTFP activities.
• Focus Areas:
  • Transport Connectivity: Improving infrastructure and transport systems.
  • Trade Facilitation: Simplifying trade procedures and enhancing market access.
  • Trade Policy: Developing policies that support regional trade.
  • Local Enterprise and Economic Development: Supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
• Gender Inclusion: SARTFP has been pioneering in mainstreaming gender in regional projects and programs, focusing on women-owned and micro businesses.
• Knowledge Products: Produced 24 knowledge products, including 14 grant activities and 152 stakeholder events.

Specific Initiatives

• Business, Enterprise and Employment Support (BEES) Network: A network of South Asian non-profit organizations supporting grassroots women producers and entrepreneurs. It leverages knowledge sharing, collective action, and advocacy to scale up successful interventions.
• South Asia Women in Power Sector Professional Network (WePower): Launched in 2019, this network promotes gender diversity and leadership in the power and utility sector and encourages girls' participation in STEM education.

Impact

• Improved Market Access: SARTFP initiatives have improved market access and economic opportunities for women through inclusive water transport and leveraging information technology.
• Regional Economic Corridors: Popularized the concept of regional economic corridors, benefiting women and unreached communities.
• Border Trade Simplification: Established separate processing desks and introduced tariff policy considerations to simplify trade procedures, especially for women traders.

Examples

• Transboundary Tourism and Agricultural Trade: Promoted local women entrepreneurship in these sectors, contributing to regional economic growth and women's empowerment.
• Safe and Inclusive Transport: Enhanced economic activity and social growth for women through safer and more inclusive transport systems.

Conclusion

SARTFP has significantly contributed to regional growth and women's economic empowerment in South Asia, particularly through innovative initiatives that address gender disparities in trade and connectivity. The program's focus on gender inclusion and its comprehensive approach have set new standards for regional projects and programs in the South Asian region.