Global Review 2019
Aid for trade is designed to help developing countries meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by connecting them in a sustainable manner to the global trade system. Indeed, SDG target 17.11 specifically calls for doubling the share of least developed country (LDC) exports by 2020. However, many are being left behind. Their collective share of world trade remains below one percent and export baskets tend to be concentrated in a narrow set of low value-added products.
In the lead up to the biennial Aid for Trade Global Review, which will take place at the World Trade Organization on 3-5 July 2019, this series of short analytical articles explores some of the key trends and policy discussions impacting LDCs. The collection is structured along the event's themes of economic diversity, inclusive trade and emerging issues. It is intended as an impartial platform for dialogue among experts and stakeholders that adequately reflects LDC priorities.
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This policy series has been funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The views expressed in this publication are the author’s alone and are not necessarily the views of the Australian Government.
October 22, 2019 -
Deanna Ramsay
Ann Linde: Talking aid for trade, global growth and making trade deals happen
Then Swedish Minister for Foreign Trade, Ann Linde (now Minister for Foreign Affairs) discusses supporting developing country exports and the need to close the gender gap
September 23, 2019 -
Deanna Ramsay
Isatou Touray: On getting good data, shaping gender-responsive policies and unleashing women in business
On the sidelines of the Aid for Trade Global Review 2019, The Gambia’s Vice President discusses the potential of women in trade
August 22, 2019 -
Ahmat Mahamat Bachir, Ratnakar Adhikari
Aid for trade must focus on the poorest, most fragile countries
In the last two decades, the international community has banded together many times to strategize a way forward that will bring peace, prosperity, and sustainable development for all.
August 15, 2019 -
Violeta Gonzalez, Fabrice Lehmann
5 ways to boost sustainable trade in the world’s poorest countries
Originally published by World Economic Forum Agenda on 4 July 2019
August 13, 2019 -
Michelle Kovacevic
New WTO research puts spotlight on natural disasters and trade
How can countries use trade to promote resilience?
August 08, 2019 -
Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF)
Aid for Trade & LDCs Magazine
In this issue: "Tentative steps to implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement in least developed countries", "Economic diversification: Why trade matters", and "Fisheries subsidies negotiations: What is at stake for least developed countries?"
June 27, 2019 -
Anabel González
Three trade challenges for least developed countries to converge and eradicate poverty
The current trading environment is inadequately supportive to contribute to growth, boost incomes, create jobs through new market access opportunities and reduce poverty.
June 27, 2019 -
Karl P. Sauvant
How can foreign direct investment fulfil its development potential in least developed countries?
To help meet the investment needs of the future, foreign direct investment (FDI) flows have to increase substantially.
June 25, 2019 -
Marianne Musumeci, Kaori Miyamoto
Strengthening the gender dimension of aid for trade in the least developed countries
Aid for trade can support women’s economic empowerment, which is key to sustainable development.
June 19, 2019 -
Dan Ciuriak, Maria Ptashkina
A strategy to leverage the digital transformation for development
The digital transformation provides developing economies new opportunities to leapfrog industrial age infrastructure, to draw on the vast knowledge spillovers from the internet, to take advantage of new markets offered by digital platforms and to exploit production possibilities enabled by digital technologies.
June 17, 2019 -
Luisa Bernal, Daria Shatskova
For trade development, shifting from fragility to resilience
The relative importance of trade and the degree of export concentration are higher than average in fragile least developed countries (LDCs).
June 13, 2019 -
Aussama Bejraoui, Frans Lammersen, Justine Lan
Aid for trade, economic diversification and empowerment in the least developed countries
Economic diversification and empowerment are essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals; they also embody the rationale behind the Aid for Trade Initiative.
June 11, 2019 -
David Luke, Heini Suominen
The African Continental Free Trade Area: Dawn of a new era
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will transform the way Africa trades, with intra-African trade expected to increase by 15-25 per cent, and the boost to trade in industrial goods accelerating diversification of Africa’s economies.
June 06, 2019 -
Cornelius Gregg, Bolormaa Tumurchudur Klok, Milagros Lazo Castro
In Malawi, bolstering youth and women’s employment through sectoral skills strategies
Skills strategies can provide a bridging mechanism to enable disadvantaged groups such as youth and women to gain from international trade.
June 04, 2019 -
Paul Brenton, Ian Gillson, Pierre Sauvé
Economic diversification: Why trade matters
Economic diversification is a key element of development in which a country moves to a more diverse production structure, scaling-up resilience to external shocks and providing a path for equitable growth.
May 29, 2019 -
Alice Tipping, Tristan Irschlinger
Fisheries subsidies negotiations: What is at stake for least developed countries?
Fisheries are a crucial source of animal protein, livelihoods and export earnings for many developing countries, including several least developed countries.
May 23, 2019 -
Fabrice Lehmann
Global value chains and development paths: A conversation with Caroline Freund
Talking global value chains and trade integration, ahead of forthcoming World Bank report
May 21, 2019 -
Annette Mutaawe Ssemuwemba, Fabrice Lehmann
Tentative steps to implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement in least developed countries
Agreement provides least developed countries with novel provisions, with consultation needs taking centre stage
May 16, 2019 -
EIF launches policy series on all things LDCs and Aid for Trade
Examining Aid for Trade and LDCs, aiming for evidence-based action
May 14, 2019 -
Lisa Cornish
What to expect from WTO's 2019 Global Review of Aid for Trade
See what lies ahead at the biennial Aid for Trade event in July 2019