Research Priority Areas

South Asian Trade Centre focuses its early research on a small set of themes where better evidence can directly support policy dialogue and business decisions in South Asia.

Intra‑Regional Supply Chains

SATC examines how goods move between South Asian neighbors and where bottlenecks arise—in customs procedures, logistics, standards and documentation. The aim is to provide practical recommendations that make regional value chains more efficient and accessible, especially for smaller firms.

Digital Trade Facilitation
Digital tools such as electronic documentation, single‑window systems and cross‑border e‑commerce platforms can sharply reduce time and cost in trade. SATC studies how these tools are being adopted across South Asia, what gaps remain and which reforms could accelerate progress toward paperless trade.

MSME Export Readiness

Micro, small and medium‑sized enterprises (MSMEs) form the backbone of South Asian economies but face distinct challenges in reaching regional markets. SATC investigates their capabilities and constraints in areas like finance, information, standards compliance and use of digital channels, with the goal of designing evidence‑based support for MSME participation in intra‑regional trade.

Future Topics

As SATC grows, additional research themes—such as services trade, green trade and labor mobility—may be added in partnership with universities, think‑tanks and development agencies across the region.