Leveraging resources for the development of Least Developed Country (LDC) Trade

 

Leveraging resources for the development of Least Developed Country (LDC) Trade

 

2 May 2017, WTO, Room E, 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

 

Background

 

Leveraging resources for the implementation of the LDCs' trade development agenda remains a central focus of the EIF. Stronger relationships with in-country sources of finance, regional development banks, global development agencies and bilateral development programmes can help to drive greater investment in LDC trade and better align with LDC national priorities. Leveraging is also an increased emphasis on ensuring that all capacity improvements for all the LDCs are sustainable at the end of the EIF Phase Two period. Without governments' commitments and proactive engagement in driving the programme and mobilizing resources, the programme's results will not have the desired long-lasting impact.

 

The concept of leveraging resources has been evolving. Nowadays, leveraging resources is not only about accessing new sources of funding but also expertise, cooperation and reputation. It is therefore critical to become innovative and creative when it comes to leveraging strategy and actions. This calls for a multi‑fold approach to resource‑leveraging, involving all EIF stakeholders.

 

The reference to the EIF in key global initiatives, such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, committed to by the global leaders, shows the value that the EIF can offer. Through policy advice, technical assistance and capacity‑building, the EIF partnership can support government efforts to increase available resources and coordinate them effectively. This includes domestic public resource mobilization, deepening of local financial and capital markets and creating a conducive climate for private investment.

 

Based on the foregoing, the Executive Secretariat for the EIF (ES) has carried out a study on leveraging practices within and outside of the EIF partnership, with a view of providing a practical guide on leveraging resources to support the LDC trade development agenda throughout EIF Phase Two and beyond. The guide is also meant to provide the entire partnership with a set of practical tools, based on documented experiences and best practices, to increase the effectiveness and impact of their leveraging efforts, taking advantage to the full of the catalytic role played by the EIF partnership with a renewed focus on private sector development and stronger relationships with regional organizations and development banks.

 

Objectives

 

The objectives of the Workshop are twofold:

 

• For the EIF partnership to reflect on good practices, challenges, opportunities and lessons learnt; and
• to seek additional inputs for the study and the EIF guide on leveraging resources and explore concrete actions on how the EIF partnership can further support this work as well as introduce the guide and best practices to the LDCs as an additional instrument to support their resource mobilization efforts on the ground.

 

Outcomes

 

The main outcome of the Workshop will be a shared commitment to furthering resource‑leveraging within the EIF partnership, reinforcing existing and exploring new channels and mechanisms and to enhance the EIF leveraging guiding framework. The EIF Board meeting on 3 May 2017 will be provided with a summary of the Workshop's main findings.

 

Proposed format and themes

 

The Workshop will be for a half day, with a total duration of three hours. It will be organized into two panel discussions based on thematic focus areas, followed by a floor discussion, bringing in different perspectives, including those from the LDCs, the EIF Donors, development agencies and independent experts. 

 

The two main related themes and specific questions to be explored are:

 

I. Leveraging in practice: Success factors, challenges and replication

 

• What have been the success factors for the leveraging of good practices, what have been the challenges and why? How has the EIF framework been used as a platform for leveraging resources? Any lessons learnt?
• What are the recommendations to replicate a country's or an agency's experience in leveraging resources?
• What should be the role of the LDCs, the EIF Agencies and the EIF Donors, including the EIF Donor Facilitator, at the country level in ensuring sustainable leveraging?

 

II. The EIF as a leveraging framework – How to?

 

• What can we learn from different approaches to resource‑leveraging, within and outside of the EIF partnership?
• How can the EIF be used as a leveraging framework? Who are the main actors? What are the main tools to be used?

 

Participation

 

The Workshop is aimed at bringing together the EIF partnership experts and relevant policy makers across development agencies and organizations, EIF Donors and the LDCs, who are familiar with national trade and development initiatives in the LDCs.

 

 

DRAFT

 

Workshop Programme

 

Leveraging resources for the development of Least Developed Country (LDCs) Trade

 

2 May 2017, WTO, Room E, 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

3:00-4:00 p.m.	Theme I: Leveraging in practice: Success factors, challenges and replication   Panel discussion
	Moderator: Mr Antti Piispanen, Commercial Counsellor, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland Presenter: Mr Sven Callebaut, International Consultant   Thematic questions:   What have been the success factors for the leveraging of good practices, what have been the challenges and why? How has the EIF framework been used as a platform for leveraging resources? Any lessons learnt? What are the recommendations to replicate a country's or an agency's experience in leveraging resources? What should be the role of the LDCs, the EIF Agencies and the EIF Donors, including the EIF Donor Facilitator, at the country level in ensuring sustainable leveraging?   Discussants:   Mr Willie Pakoa Luen, Principal Trade Development Officer, Ministry of Tourism, Trade, Commerce, and Ni-Vanuatu Business, Vanuatu Ms Charlotte Frater, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of New Zealand to the World Trade Organization Mr Sébastien Nzimana, Director-General of Commerce and EIF Focal Point, Burundi Mr Nyi Nyi Aung, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of the Union of Myanmar to the United Nations Office at Geneva Ms Luisa Bernal, Policy Specialist, Trade and Human Development Unit, UNDP Office Geneva Ms Marlynne Hopper, Economic Affairs Officer, Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) UNCDF (via videoconference) (TBC)
4:00-4:20 p.m.	Floor discussion
4:20-4:30 p.m.	Coffee break

 

 

4:30-5:30 p.m.	Theme II: The EIF as a leveraging framework – How to?   Panel discussion
	Moderator: Mr Ratnakar Adhikari, Executive Director of the Executive Secretariat for the Enhanced Integrated Framework   Presenter: Mr Sven Callebaut, International Consultant   Thematic questions:   What can we learn from different approaches to resource‑leveraging, within and outside of the EIF partnership? How can the EIF be used as a leveraging framework? Who are the main actors? What are the main tools to be used?   Discussants:   Mr Ashish Shah, Director, Division of Country Programmes, ITC Mr Hendrik Schmitz-Guinote, Counsellor, Development Policy, Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to the International Organizations at Geneva Mrs Tiina Satuli, First Secretary, Trade and Development, Permanent Mission of the European Union to the WTO Mr Andrea Giacomelli, Aid-for-Trade and Trade Policy Advisor, Permanent Delegation of the Pacific Islands Forum to the WTO Ms Dominika Dor, Industrial Development Officer, UNIDO
5:30-5:45 p.m.	Floor discussion
5:45-6:00 p.m.	Summary:   Executive Secretariat for the EIF