The study aims at exploring the phenomenon of regional production network in ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) automotive sector/industry by employing a firm as well as macro-level analysis of data gathered through combining techniques between desk study and a series of fieldwork. It examines patterns of production and manufacturing activities of leading Japanese automotive firms and their upgrading strategies as showcased by Toyota in an endeavor to cast the much-aspired ASEAN Regional Value Chains (RVCs).

Trade facilitation is one of the key trends in the international trading system development. Respective World Trade Organization (WTO) agreement – Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) is one of really few tangible achievements during Doha round of multilateral trade negotiations. Russian Federation, being a full-fledged member of the organization from 2012, signed and ratified it. Trade facilitation per se could help to improve key indicators of Russian foreign trade and hence contribute national economy performance in general.

African countries offer many investment opportunities and also urgently need global investment finance. Along the value chains of the agro-industrial sector there are many global challenges for African countries to attract foreign direct investment. This article investigates the investment flows in agro-industries and products to and from South Africa. This study evaluates the nature and dimensions of the agro-industrial sector that receive investment inflows in South Africa, as well as investigating South African investment patterns into Africa.

In recent years, African countries have been giving greater priority to building their industrial capacity, placing particular emphasis on manufacturing in order to reduce their dependency on commodity trade. However, most African countries face significant challenges – not least of which are severe infrastructural shortcomings, weak trading links with their regional neighbours, and skills deficiencies in both the public and private sectors.