The tea makers eagerly await a specific aroma or, as they say, “for the teas to speak.” The machines are switched off as soon as the leaves emit that particular aroma. The rolled hunks of darker, chunkier leaves are then hauled to the drying machine. There, another dexterous worker awaits the leaves.

Expanding and diversifying productive capacities will better position least developed countries (LDCs) to tap the financing and e-trade opportunities that will underpin their Covid-19 recovery. This was a recurrent theme in the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Least Developed Countries Report 2020, which cautioned however that the international community must first rally with resources, policy space and better international support measures.

Originally published by Thomson Reuters Foundation, Tuesday, 9 February 2021 03:30 GMT

Recently launched ecommerce training program and portal will help hundreds of women entrepreneurs in South Asian LDCs become part of regional and global supply chains.

How will graduation impact countries in South Asia and the trade support they benefit from? How can they prepare?

A roundup of recent news on the global pandemic, covering issues facing some of the world’s poorest countries – and what they are doing

Originally published in World Economic Forum Agenda on 23 March 2020

Cooperative endeavor to enhance exports yields solid solutions

Nepal’s Under Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies talks all things trade – online

How can countries use trade to promote resilience?

Making more and better ginger crops means more income

Digital system set to streamline procedures for trade from LDCs to the EU

Addressing trade in its many forms, EIF partnership creating sustainable impacts

Flock maintaining, brand strengthening, and market expanding: Nepal's pashmina producers are aiming high

Study identifies priority sectors for impact

Chandra and her 25 colleagues from her women's association take a break from the day's farming business to hold a meeting on their ginger business prospects and the stiff market competition they face with India's value-added ginger.