Transcript Perception Survey Trade Liberalisation Consumer Welfare in South Asia

COST OF ECONOMIC NON-COOPERATION
TO CONSUMERS IN SOUTH ASIA
(COENCOSA)
Perception Survey on
Trade Liberalisation
and Consumer Welfare
in South Asia
Project Review Meeting
Dhaka, June 28, 2011
Content
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Objectives
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Methodology
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Perception and Reality
Reasons for this approach
Target Groups
Sampling Method / Surveying Method
Draft Questionnaire
Timeframe
Outcome and Value-Addition
Perception and Reality
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A combination of positive economics and
normative economics
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Variations exists between reality and
perception/ideology
A need to identify differences between reality and
perception/ideology
Reasons for this Approach
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Measuring the level of misinformation that persists
among stakeholders on trade liberalization and its
effects to consumers in South Asia
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Assessment of the gap between perception and
reality to facilitate appropriate responses.
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Framing policy suggestions backed by insights
drawn from practical experiences of stakeholders in
various capacities
Reasons for this Approach
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Identification of shortcomings in current data and
debates and hence areas for further research
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Focussed advocacy efforts
Methodology
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Stakeholder perception survey to be executed in
twelve cities across five South Asian countries
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Bangladesh: Dhaka and Chittagong
India: Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai
Nepal: Biratnagar and Kathmandu
Pakistan: Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore
Sri Lanka: Colombo
Continued…
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Twenty-five stakeholders in each city
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A total of three hundred stakeholders
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Estimated eight to ten days to carry out field
survey in each city
Partners Involved
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Bangladesh: Institute for Policy, Advocacy, and
Governance
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Nepal: South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics &
Environment
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Pakistan: Sustainable Development Policy Institute
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Sri Lanka: Institute of Policy Studies
Stakeholders’ Groups Targeted
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Government Officials (dealing with issues of regional trade integration)
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Politicians
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Academicians
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Trade and Industry Representatives/Associations
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Representatives of Consumer Organisations
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Media
Selection of Stakeholders
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A list of interviewees in each country will be prepared by
sequentially taking into account the following criteria
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Balanced representation from each
stakeholders’ group
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Selection based on the extent and importance
of involvement of respective stakeholder groups in South
Asian regional trade
Selection of Stakeholders
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Short listed interviewees to be categorised based on
two criteria viz., (a) Approach towards trade policy
and (b) Degree of influence on trade policy making
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Balanced representation for interviewees from
different categories in order to capture the diversity
of views
Questionnaires & Analysis
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CUTS will prepare a semi-structured questionnaire in
consultation with partners for this proposed perception survey
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CUTS and partner organisations will be responsible for
conducting interviews and preparing transcripts in respective
countries.
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CUTS team will do qualitative data analysis based upon results
from the field survey
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Such results will be juxtaposed with meta-analysis results on
regional trade integration in South Asia
Timeframe
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Perception survey during July and August 2011
Data Analysis and draft report: September 2011
Peer review of draft report: October 2011
Final Draft: November 2011
Publication and Dissemination: December 2011
Outcome and Value-Addition
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Development of a forward-looking agenda for further
trade liberalization by:
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Assessing the cost of economic non-cooperation to
consumers in South Asia
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Understanding political-economic scenario of regional trade
integration in South Asia
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Identifying shortcomings and suggest policy
recommendations to broaden intra-regional trade
Thank You!
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