Study on Logistics Development in RCEP Countries from the Perspective of LPI

Abstract

Using the Logistics Performance Index (LPI) as an entry point, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of the logistics development of each member country of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) from 2010 to 2022. Firstly, the total LPI score of each country and the indicators of each dimension are carefully analysed using descriptive statistics, and it is found that there are obvious differences in the level of logistics development among member countries. China is already a logistics powerhouse, but there is still much room for improvement in customs clearance efficiency and service quality. Secondly, with the help of systematic clustering and correspondence analysis techniques, the member countries are divided into three groups of high, medium and low levels of logistics, which clearly presents the hierarchical structure of logistics performance of each country. The study shows that countries with advanced logistics such as Singapore and Japan have obvious advantages in terms of infrastructure development and customs operation efficiency; in contrast, countries with relatively low logistics development such as Cambodia and Laos have room for improvement in a number of key areas. In addition, the analysis of the coefficient of variation shows that although the unevenness of logistics performance across countries has been reduced, the improvement is limited, and the differences in the efficiency of infrastructure and customs are particularly striking, which may pose an obstacle to regional logistics integration. In this regard, this paper proposes the following recommendations: to promote the synergistic development of logistics and economic integration within the RCEP region by facilitating the development of logistics in the low-level RCEP member countries, strengthening the construction of key factors, continuously improving China's logistics performance, and deepening the regional logistics co-operation.