Trade facilitation

29 August 2023
To promote economic growth, EIF support to Liberia centred on tackling supply-side constraints to trade. The goal of enhancing trade was to reduce extreme poverty, estimated to exceed 80% in 2003. The EIF’s engagement also demonstrates its commitment to fostering partnerships that promote local ownership of Liberia’s development agenda. Initially, support focused on establishing strong institutional structures and strengthening capacity to develop policies and mainstream trade into national strategies.
22 August 2023 - Fanan Biem
The EIF's efforts to support Angola through a pro-poor trade agenda crystallized moreover under a recent partnership between the Government of Angola and UNDP.
15 August 2023
The partnership between The Gambia and the EIF began with country-led evidence‑based research and analysis to identify its pro-poor trade priorities. The resulting policy-guiding document – the 2007 Diagnostic Trade Integration Study (DTIS) – identified diversification and domestic production of goods and services in the areas of tourism, groundnuts and other agriculture products and fishing as sectors with the potential to spur sustainable development.
3 August 2023
The EIF support to Malawi began in 2012. The Government of Malawi, through the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), sought to use the EIF partnership to unlock Malawi's latent trade potential through targeted support in three strategic areas: i) strengthening the capacity of the MTI to develop trade policies and strategies and to participate more effectively in the World Trade Organization and regional trade agreements; ii) addressing challenges faced by smallholder farmers to trade; and iii) supporting the Malawi Investment and Trade Centre (MITC) to better promote exports and investments for the agro-industry, including working with the World Bank in establishing the groundwork for an agro-processing special economic zone.
27 July 2023
EIF’s support to Somalia has been limited and has exclusively focused on the country's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) by supporting capacity-building around skills to navigate the trade landscape.
25 July 2023 - Hang Tran
The partnership between Bhutan and the EIF stretches back to 2009. Directly contributing to several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth, the EIF facility was well aligned to work within the context of Bhutan's development philosophy. The EIF supported the development of Bhutan's trade agenda roadmap, improving policies supporting pro-poor trade and strengthening institutional coordination, including human capacity for trade and development. Beyond this, the EIF contributed to building the productive capacity of farmers SMEs and facilitated the country's ability to leverage additional funding through catalytic project support.
20 July 2023 - Hang Tran
Tuvalu, a small set of islands in the Pacific Ocean, is having to work harder than most other least developed countries to find ways of improving the lives of its population. Trade for development provides an opportunity, but its size, insularity and remoteness constrain trade in terms of supply capacity, global and regional market access and trade competitiveness.
18 July 2023
The Government of Benin established a partnership with the EIF in 2003, embarking on the development of a Diagnostic Trade Integration Study (DTIS) and Action Matrix, along with evidence‑based and government-led analysis of constraints and opportunities for making trade work for economic prosperity and poverty reduction. The DTIS was completed in 2005, with an update ten years later. Together, the studies have provided a roadmap for progress toward the goal of supporting small businesses to trade and develop the kinds of jobs that improve lives and spur sustainable economic development.
9 May 2023 - Daniel K. Kalinaki
Since 2019, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, with support from the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), has been implementing the “Enhancing Capacity for Agriculture Trade” (ECAT) project across Solomon Islands. The Ministry of Health and Medical Services, and that of agriculture and livestock, are also involved.
11 April 2023
Farming is a demanding sector, particularly for those seeking to compete in the global market. Many farmers in Zambia are unable to meet international standards and other requirements in importing countries that can help them implement good agricultural practices and stand out on the world stage.
6 December 2022
Building forward and backward production linkages between agricultural and manufacturing sectors by adding value to primary commodities should be a priority for LDCs. Taking incremental steps towards industrialisation through increased productive capacities, with the support of development partners, will ensure that progress will be sustainable and robust, truly leading LDCs along the path of development. 
Vanuatu has emerged as a trailblazer in the Asia‑Pacific region in leveraging the benefits of trade facilitation through the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)’s Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) program. For over 40 years, ASYCUDA, which is UNCTAD’s largest technical assistance program, has helped customs offices around the world clear goods faster and increase the pace of trade. Vanuatu is one of only seven ASYCUDA countries worldwide, and the only one in the Pacific region, running a single-window system using ASYCUDA.
17 May 2022 - Daniel K. Kalinaki
Public-private dialogues are reducing trade barriers – and saving poultry traders costly journeys to renew import permits.
The partnership of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) has recently undertaken an evaluation of the initiative, from the birth of the EIF from the original Integrated Framework to late 2021.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, a strong digital presence has, more than ever, become a key element for small businesses in the coffee sector to access new buyers and benefit from international markets.
18 January 2022 - Dr. Yakama Manty Jones
The AfCFTA's success lies in last-mile implementation. Connectivity and mobility are key.
24 August 2021
Originally published on Devex on 3 August 2021
14 January 2021 - Moono Mupotola
Originally published by the International Trade Centre (ITC) International Trade Forum Magazine on 9 December 2020
29 September 2020 - Michelle Kovacevic
Most of Rwanda’s cross border traders are women and rely on cross-border trade as their sole source of income. According to a recent assessment by Pro-Femmes/Twese Hamwe, the Rwandan umbrella organisation for women’s associations, most cross border traders have experienced not only a large loss in revenue due to border closures but also a complete depletion of their savings.
24 September 2020 - Marlynne Hopper
COVID-19 is highlighting the interconnectedness of agri-food trade; and work needs to be done to mobilise action to build safe food systems
24 August 2020 - Craig Atkinson
Following digitisation of commercial documents, the digitalisation of trade implies functional use of data to improve the automation potential of cross-border processes.
Urgent digital transformation is needed to create safe and secure cross border ecommerce customs clearance in the world’s poorest countries
31 July 2020 - Fanan Biem
The macroeconomic context for developing country trade in the time of COVID-19
22 July 2020 - Michelle Kovacevic
Country’s online trading system off to a timely start, as COVID’s physical distancing requirements disrupt manual systems
2 July 2020 - Candice White
New tool offers actions to tackle the barriers to trade that women face
4 May 2020 - Soo Hyun Kim Yann Duval
COVID-19 is highlighting the need for paperless trade in developing countries; a recent assessment offers recommendations for how to start
15 April 2020 - Duncan Maru Sabitri Sapkota
Originally published in World Economic Forum Agenda on 23 March 2020
6 April 2020 - Ailsa Nicol
What are some of the keys to success in getting businesses on board?
31 March 2020 - Anabel González
Originally published by Peterson Institute for International Economics on 27 March 2020
Originally published in World Economic Forum Agenda on 18 February 2020
6 February 2020 - Haruko Okusu
Efforts towards the automation of the CITES permitting system is an example of how trade facilitation could be applied in the wildlife sector.
3 December 2019 - Deanna Ramsay
Carefully calibrating its trade support and compliance to international standards, country is targeting more exports
20 November 2019 - Trudi Hartzenberg
Despite impressive progress in the negotiations, it is still not possible to trade under the AfCFTA as the negotiations of preferential tariff concessions and rules of origin have not been completed.
Enabling growth via ecommerce, trade facilitation and geographical indications
16 September 2019 - Deanna Ramsay Michelle Kovacevic
Cooperative endeavor to enhance exports yields solid solutions
21 May 2019 - Fabrice Lehmann
Agreement provides least developed countries with novel provisions, with consultation needs taking centre stage
4 April 2019 - Michelle Kovacevic
Businesswomen creating a united front in Rwanda and the DRC
4 March 2019 - Michelle Kovacevic
Facilitating trade across borders means transparency, assistance and knowing what countries need
7 December 2018 - Deanna Ramsay
Following a recent visit to Rwanda with EIF, Netherlands Ambassador to the WTO and LDC Sub-Committee Chair Monique van Daalen discusses seeing the country’s cross border trade efforts in person, as well as the country’s policy in action
6 November 2018 - Deanna Ramsay
Funding for traders, for government trade support and for infrastructure means resources at work in critical spaces in Rwanda
1 November 2018 - Deanna Ramsay
In Rwanda, new market centres mean improved trade at the border
3 October 2018 - Deanna Ramsay
ePing platform helping countries keep track of assorted requirements, transforming communication and comment
17 September 2018 - Deanna Ramsay
Strategic alliances and alignments are key to making trade in agriculture work, for all
14 August 2018
Zambia is acting to make trade faster and more efficient within and across its borders by partnering with the Enhanced Integrated Framework
9 August 2018
The Gambia has been working across its supply chain to enhance trade in the country
7 August 2018 - Simon Hess
Launching of these specific initiatives demonstrates the progressive vision of Vanuatu to stimulate the economy and leverage opportunities through international trade for delivering growth and development
31 July 2018 - Hang Tran Deanna Ramsay
Flock maintaining, brand strengthening, and market expanding: Nepal's pashmina producers are aiming high
19 July 2018
Increasing trade between African countries offers great potential for building sustainable economic development and integration, including creating higher-wage jobs and unlocking greater business opportunities
10 July 2018
In 2017, the global trading system achieved a major milestone when the first multilateral deal entered into force in the 21-year history of the World Trade Organization – the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA)
19 June 2018
An interview with Richard Kamajugo, Senior Director for Trade Environment at TradeMark East Africa (TMEA), during the EIF Global Forum 2018
14 May 2018 - Elena Immambocus
A new book on sanitary and phytosanitary gaps from the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) highlights ways to support farmers, processors, traders and governments in developing countries to access global markets
(MASERU/GENEVA) March 9, 2018 – The Kingdom of Lesotho is continuing to invest in agro-processing for its farmers: A brand new horticultural market centre will allow them to better preserve their fruits and vegetables and receive prompt payments for their products.
9 March 2018 - Deanna Ramsay
Just-launched facility offers state-of-the-art services, and promises to boost business
25 February 2018 - Deanna Ramsay
Launch of long-awaited space at country's main airport means more – and more diverse – exports
24 January 2018 - UNCTAD
Two dozen Beninese women making a unique type of garri flour sign up to a new code of practice to better market their product and boost incomes
Originally published on 10 July 2017 in the World Economic Forum Agenda
21 December 2016 - Justine Namara
A partnership in support of the harmonization of standards key to export competitiveness
Contributing to the reconstruction of communities after a natural disaster