Impact of The Asia Foundation’s Work on Trade Issues in South Asia

Given the number of regional arrangements to advance cooperation, like the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation and the Agreement on South Asian Free Trade Area as well as bilateral agreements, there is significant potential in South Asia for increased trade and strengthening economic relations. Intra-regional trade remains below par due to a number of factors, including weak infrastructure, low levels of investment, and non-tariff barriers.

The work undertaken by The Asia Foundation (TAF) and its partners, including CUTS International, strive to improve the situation in South Asia through initiatives to increase economic opportunities, strengthen partnerships among stakeholders, and improve responsiveness of public authorities. In order to better understand the impact of TAF’s work in these areas and support the goals of their programmes, activities to analyse interventions in trade-related areas are necessary

Implementing Organization

CUTS International
D–217, Bhaskar Marg, Bani Park,
Jaipur 302 016, India
Ph: +91.141.2282821,
Fx: +91.141.2282485
Email: cuts@cuts.org
Web: http://www.cuts-international.org/

Supported By

The Asia Foundation
114 Jor Bagh (First Floor)
New Delhi – 110003 INDIA

The project seeks to demonstrate the impact TAF’s work in South Asia on trade and trade-related issues through a human-focused approach

A publication in the form of a short pamphlet
Short audio/video clips of select participants

Ultimately, impact and change come from the people – those who participated or were affected by TAF’s projects. Thus, stories are important for both finding and understanding the impact of TAF’s interventions.

The methodology being used is influenced by the well-established participatory monitoring and evaluation technique known as ‘Most Significant Change’ (MSC). It is an open method that provides qualitative data that can be used to assess the impact of a programme or project.

Projects will be selected in which TAF and its partners have worked in South Asia on trade and trade-related and economic development issues. The programme areas include consumer welfare, non-tariff barriers, and trade facilitation. The identified projects will also provide the locations and a defined reporting period for analysing impact.

CUTS will then identify the relevant participants whom will provide their stories. Since TAF’s approach to economic development works from the local to the national and regional level, participants can include local private businesses, including MSMEs, civil society actors, trade associations, individuals as well as government officials.

Next, CUTS will collect ‘Significant Change’ stories from the identified participants via interviews using open questionnaires

Based on the MSC stories collected, the project expects to illustrate the human face of TAF’s work. Through the stories of participants and beneficiaries, the impact and change created by TAF interventions will come to light, including limitations of the project and potential improvements.
CUTS’ analysis will add another evaluative layer to TAF’s impact by providing trade, economic, and development relevant data and analysis of the current situation in South Asia. This may also provide insight into future programming.
Using the methodology based on “Most Significant Change”, collecting and disseminating stories will give a voice to those involved in TAF’s work and potentially empower them in their interactions on trade and trade-related issues in South Asia.

CUTS Centre For International Trade, Economics & Environment (CUTS CITEE)
D–217, Bhaskar Marg, Bani Park
Jaipur 302 016, India
Ph: +91.141.2282821
Fx: +91.141.2282485
Web: www.cuts-citee.org