Trade policy

LDCs need to be rewarded for their low emissions through better trade deals
Countries with high environmental credentials like Bhutan should be supported to trade with an automatic recognition and prioritization of their exports as clean and green. This will be a big boost to build productive capacity and help increase climate and trade ambition.

Adapting to a Changing Climate: How Trade and Trade Policy Can Make a Difference
Along with the damage posed to ecosystem and human health, climate change is already affecting what and how countries trade with one another. For instance, changing temperatures and weather patterns have an impact on crop yields, and therefore agricultural trade. Climate change can cause severe and costly disruptions to trade-related infrastructure, as sea level rises threaten seaports and rising temperatures affect and degrade railways. Tourism is another sector that is both crucial for trade and where changing weather conditions are affecting where people travel and the infrastructure that tourism relies on.

Importance of building evidence for gender-sensitive trade policies
Building evidence does not only happen through research and analysis; it also comes from sharing experiences. For example, EIF support has been directed to sectors in which women are predominantly engaged, so female-owned businesses can expand and access new regional and global markets. Responses to the M&E exercise indicate a wide recognition that these efforts result in strengthening women’s economic and financial independence.

Technology is the key to transforming least developed countries. Here's how
Ratnakar Adhikari (EIF) and Taffere Tesfachew (UNTBLDC) discuss how LDCs can benefit from technology on their path towards structural transformation.

What Bhutan got right about happiness - and what other countries can learn
Guided by its Gross National Happiness, Bhutan has considerably improved its economic, environmental, social and governance situation in the past four decades.

How aid for trade can best support Least Developed Countries in the next decade
How can LDCs be supported to improve their trade performance and sustainably raise their share of trade in the global economy?

How can the EU’s border carbon adjustments avoid unintended consequences for LDCs?
On avoiding risks and challenges for countries striving to reduce poverty and tackle climate change

Making global value chains sustainable and enhancing the position of LDCs: A shared responsibility
Multinationals and governments need to recognize the trade world’s interconnectedness, and its impact

On monitoring trade results in the least developed countries
Seeing impacts in a complicated trade landscape requires learning and adapting

On trading in Tuvalu
Trade practitioners discuss the country’s trade landscape, and what their daily work entails

Business supply chain strategies are evolving, can poor countries benefit?
Multiple sourcing and proximity sourcing are shaping into long-term trends as global firms hardwire resilience and agility into their supply chains.

Following week of trade discussions, 4 takeaways for LDCs
With digital conference covering the major topics in global trade, what matters for the world’s poorest countries?

Preparing for the next chapter in trade and sustainable development governance
Reflections from Geneva Trade Week

On the role of women trade trainers
In trade for development, more female trainers could make a big difference

Good trade policy requires diverse voices
Geneva Trade Week garnering inputs from far and wide

Boosting African regional value chain development in response to COVID-19: The catalysing role of the AfCFTA
New paper looks at the supply chain dimension of African trade during and post-COVID

Study offers tips for Equatorial Guinea’s trade enhancement
From a focus on fisheries to WTO membership, analysis of the country’s economic situation offers ways to move forward

The evolution of Quality Infrastructure in the Caribbean
Like the Pacific, independence from colonialism is what kickstarted the development of Quality Infrastructure in the Caribbean.

Pacific island countries band together to increase export quality
Trade ministers in the Pacific approve the region’s first strategic framework on quality infrastructure

Unpacking COVID-19-related medical supply chains in Commonwealth LDCs
Although LDCs are home to 13.3% of the world’s population, their share of COVID-19-related medical imports is just 1%.

Time for Asian partners to work together on a global COVID recovery strategy
Six new objectives for regional policy cooperation

Rwanda setting example for electronic waste recycling
Government and private sector worked together to create jobs in new ‘industry’

Can Madagascar inspire reform of global fashion’s US$2.5 trillion supply chains?
The collapse in trade provoked by the coronavirus pandemic has exposed the fragility of carefully constructed supply chains in the global fashion industry, and the asymmetries with which they are governed.

Don’t put export bans on medical supplies during COVID-19. Why trade should flow freely to the world’s poorest countries
Originally published in OECD-Development Matters on 28 April 2020

David Laborde: How to help LDCs stay food secure through COVID-19
International Food Policy Research Institute (IFRPRI) Senior Research Fellow discusses the challenges and opportunities for food security in least developed countries amidst the COVID-19 pandemic

How can Africa’s trade ministers help combat COVID-19? Lessons from Ebola
Trade ministers are playing an essential role in the pandemic response

Beauty in diversity: How can trade support Timor-Leste’s graduation from least developed country status?
On Timor-Leste’s development progress, and what remains to be done

COVID-19 in Africa – some reflections on trade matters
Poverty, inequality and exclusion are key factors contributing to the devastating effects of COVID-19 on all African countries.

COVID-19: Trade restrictions are worst possible response to safeguard food security
Originally published by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) on 27 March 2020

COVID-19, least developed countries and financial support
What are international institutions pledging in the wake of the pandemic?

Yes, medical gear depends on global supply chains. Here's how to keep them moving.
Originally published by Peterson Institute for International Economics on 27 March 2020

Industry 4.0: What next for least developed countries?
The possibility of reconfiguring manufacturing processes through new digital technologies and data provides opportunities to reboot industrial development in least developed countries.

What’s happening with COVID-19 in LDCs?
A compendium of recent news on the global pandemic and what some of the world’s poorest countries are doing

On tariffs, soap and tackling COVID-19
The right trade policies would help the world combat current pandemic

Hanna Norberg: On instigating a new, and growing, trade community
The Trade Experettes founder discusses the blossoming global network of female experts from ‘all walks of trade’

Why exporters need to mind the trade finance gap
Originally published in World Economic Forum Agenda on 10 February 2020

How developing country exports fared during the recent Populist era
The latest version of the Global Trade Alert, which monitors state interventions that affect world commerce, explores whether developing country access to large overseas markets has changed during the current era of populism.

Trade policy and the post-2020 global biodiversity framework
Mainstreaming biodiversity across economic sectors is a key issue to be discussed at the CBD COP15 in China in 2020, where the post-2020 global biodiversity framework is due to be agreed upon.

In the current trade climate, what are the risks and opportunities for developing countries? (Part II)
International Monetary Fund (IMF) economists Martin Kaufman and Papa N’Diaye discuss trade, climate change mitigation and technology in Part II of their interview.

Chad aiming for export diversification, and with that stability
Country is addressing its fragility through renewed efforts to stimulate economy

Amid slowing global growth, how are low-income countries faring? (Part 1)
International Monetary Fund (IMF) economists Martin Kaufman and Papa N’Diaye discuss the impacts of the current trade tensions, and the prospects for developing economies in an unsteady global landscape.

Training trade policy leaders: Zambia takes a ‘homegrown’ approach
Education key for an informed trade and policy future

How home country measures can promote foreign direct investment in poor economies
In order to be effective, existing and future home country outward FDI measures need to be customised to the needs and realities of LDCs.

How will least developed countries in Asia fare in the trade war?
Countries that have already implemented trade-cost reducing reforms – for example trade facilitation, infrastructure, and data flows – will be better positioned to take advantage of any opportunities that arise from the trade war.

Breaking silos between trade and climate for the world’s most vulnerable countries
There is urgent need to better understand trade and climate change linkages in the context of least developed countries (LDCs).

For better business, making standard measurements work in Lao PDR
Carefully calibrating its trade support and compliance to international standards, country is targeting more exports

Poorest countries caught in the global trade turmoil
Least developed countries (LDCs) confront a challenging global trade landscape, from slower long-term growth rates and rising protectionism to a weakening nexus between trade and GDP growth.

Phouvieng Phongsa: Examining Lao PDR’s trade journey
Deputy Director General in the Department of Planning and Cooperation at the Lao PDR Ministry of Industry and Commerce discusses harmonizing trade, regional integration and managing resources wisely

What is Lao PDR doing to enhance trade?
Lao PDR's Deputy Director General Phouvieng Phongsa, Department of Planning and Cooperation, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, discusses trade and development in his tiny, landlocked country.

The AfCFTA – a free trade area and a flagship project of the African Union
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.

How trade can assist least developed countries hit by natural disasters
Many least developed countries are vulnerable to recurrent natural disasters, which exacerbate existing challenges, disrupt long-term investments and divert resources away from development to reconstruction.

For the least developed countries, revitalising multilateralism is life or death
The international system governing the environment and economy is under pressure, but it is in trade where least developed countries (LDCs) may lose most from cracks in the global order.

EIF covering environment, 4IR and global trade climate in new analyses
The Enhanced Integrated Framework’s Trade for Development News is launching a new series of articles focusing on three major trade conversations happening today.

Change in mindset sees Vanuatu become rising star of economic development
Vanuatu became a member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) back in 2012, and has made immense economic progress.

2019’s other nasty trade policy surprise
With the spotlight on the Sino-US tariff war, a worrying trade policy dynamic implicating many countries has been overlooked.

Tackling Uganda’s trade potential
From research to action, Uganda focusing on facilitation to spur economy and create jobs

How is Uganda creating an environment where trade thrives?
Director of Trade at the Uganda Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives discusses the country's recent trade successes.

What lies ahead for Uganda's trade landscape?
Uganda's Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives discusses Uganda's trade policies, what's been accomplished, and what's left to be done.

For LDC exporters and EU importers, getting back to origins
Digital system set to streamline procedures for trade from LDCs to the EU

Striving to make Pacific economic dreams a reality
Solomon Islands putting itself on the tourism map

Aligning agriculture and trade
In countries where farming sustains families and economies, sustainable trade in agricultural products means everything

Christina Chatima: On using trade as an engine for growth
Increasing agricultural proceeds, processing and marketing are critical in Malawi’s development plans

Malawi reaping what it's sowing
Targeting soy and groundnuts for export, the country and its farmers are seeing rewards

The Gambia sounding out its agricultural potential
With cashew prices surging and armed with solid trade policy, the country is looking to boost its farmers and processors

Comoros making scents
Three tiny, volcanic Indian Ocean islands are producing 60% of the world's supply of ylang-ylang

Trading for Malawi's farmers, and the future
Malawi's farmers have been cultivating new crops with the National Smallholder Farmers' Association of Malawi, supported by the Government of Malawi and EIF

Daniel Gay: The long and winding road to LDC graduation
The EIF’s Daria Shatskova talks development in the world’s poorest countries with UNDESA’s Daniel Gay

Cashing in on cashews in The Gambia
A journey from farmers’ fields to export markets

Study provides roadmap for Mauritania’s diversification
A study published two years ago — the Diagnostic Trade Integration Study (DTIS) update — has helped to push forward the Islamic Republic of Mauritania’s reform agenda, by providing a roadmap for how the small African and Arab country can strategically diversify its exports to grow its wealth and reduce poverty

WTO reports improved notification of preferential rules of origin for Least Developed Countries
Those countries granting preferences to LDC imports often condition the benefits on the imports meeting minimum "LDC content" as set out under their rules of origin schemes

Intra-African trade gets streamlined: What does this mean for Least Developed Countries?
Forty-four African countries have signed on to an African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), twenty-eight of which are among the world’s Least Developed Countries (LDCs)

WTO issues call for papers for 2018 Essay Award for Young Economists
The WTO has issued a call for young economists to submit papers for the 2018 WTO Essay Award. The award aims to promote high-quality research on trade policy and international trade co-operation and to reinforce the relationship between the WTO and the academic community.

Shifting nature of trade talks could make a mark on developing countries
In scales and makeup of trade negotiations, for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) there is more than meets the eye

Changes needed to Tanzania’s business environment, study says
A new study for Tanzania — the Diagnostic Trade Integration Study (DTIS) update — highlights opportunities for developing and improving trade opportunities for Tanzanian businesses and investors.

Changes needed to Tanzania’s business environment, study says
A new study for Tanzania — the Diagnostic Trade Integration Study (DTIS) update — highlights opportunities for developing and improving trade opportunities for Tanzani

Training the next generation of trade negotiators in Zambia
You may not expect a graduate of an arts degree to say that a trade policy course was their favourite subject, but if you ask Zondwayo Duma from Zambia, that’s exactly what he’ll tell you

How Cambodia became ‘famous’ for its trade strategy
The year is 2017 and Cambodia has stepped into a role that has been out of its reach for years — the voice of the 47 Least Developed Countries (LDCs) at the Word Trade Organization.

Voices of trade and development

Placing Least Developed Countries at the helm of promoting effective trade for development
Key insights from the event titled "The EIF: Championing Change Through Inclusive Trade," held on the side-lines of the Global Review of Aid for Trade at the World Trade Organization in Geneva from 11 to 13 July 2017.

Maximizing the benefits of WTO membership: Life after accession for Afghanistan and Liberia
Nairobi, 19 July 2016

Public and private partners, donors and international agencies agree on a roadmap for Ethiopia's stronger integration into global trade
Representatives of the government, public and private institutions, donors and international organizations met in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 23 to 24 February 2016

South Sudan's first Diagnostic Trade Integration Study released
First Diagnostic Trade Integration Study of South Sudan released February 16, 2016.

Improved trade policies in fish sectors could address gender inequalities
New UNCTAD-EIF study of the fisheries sector in The Gambia shows trade policies have to be inclusive if they are to reduce poverty
