Trade policy
April 27, 2020 -
Axel Addy
How can Africa’s trade ministers help combat COVID-19? Lessons from Ebola
Trade ministers are playing an essential role in the pandemic response
April 16, 2020 -
Deanna Ramsay
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
April 09, 2020 -
Trudi Hartzenberg
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.
April 07, 2020 -
Joseph Glauber, David Laborde, Will Martin, Rob Vos
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
April 01, 2020 -
Peter Donelan, Théo Mbise, Visvanathan Subramaniam
COVID-19, least developed countries and financial support
What are international institutions pledging in the wake of the pandemic?
March 31, 2020 -
Anabel González
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
March 26, 2020 -
Padmashree Gehl Sampath
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.
March 24, 2020 -
Deanna Ramsay
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
March 18, 2020 -
Simon J. Evenett
On tariffs, soap and tackling COVID-19
The right trade policies would help the world combat current pandemic
March 02, 2020 -
Deanna Ramsay
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’
February 27, 2020 -
Marc Auboin, Violeta Gonzalez
Why exporters need to mind the trade finance gap
Originally published in World Economic Forum Agenda on 10 February 2020
February 11, 2020 -
Simon J. Evenett, Johannes Fritz
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.
February 04, 2020 -
Katia Karousakis, Shunta Yamaguchi
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.
January 31, 2020 -
Deanna Ramsay
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.
January 23, 2020 -
Deanna Ramsay
Chad aiming for export diversification, and with that stability
Country is addressing its fragility through renewed efforts to stimulate economy
January 21, 2020 -
Deanna Ramsay
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.
January 16, 2020 -
Michelle Kovacevic
Training trade policy leaders: Zambia takes a ‘homegrown’ approach
Education key for an informed trade and policy future
January 07, 2020 -
Rodrigo Polanco
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.
December 19, 2019 -
Mia Mikic
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.
December 09, 2019 -
Rashid S. Kaukab
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).
December 03, 2019 -
Deanna Ramsay
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
December 02, 2019 -
Mohammad A. Razzaque, Syed Mortuza Ehsan, Brendan Vickers
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.
November 26, 2019 -
Deanna Ramsay
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
November 26, 2019 -
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.
November 20, 2019 -
Trudi Hartzenberg
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.
November 05, 2019 -
Brendan Vickers, Hilary Enos-Edu
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.
October 31, 2019 -
Daniel Gay, Kevin P. Gallagher
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.
October 30, 2019 -
Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF)
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.
October 29, 2019 -
Michelle Kovacevic
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.
October 16, 2019 -
Simon J. Evenett
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.
October 14, 2019 -
Deanna Ramsay
Tackling Uganda’s trade potential
From research to action, Uganda focusing on facilitation to spur economy and create jobs
October 14, 2019 -
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.
April 23, 2019 -
Daria Shatskova, Deanna Ramsay
For LDC exporters and EU importers, getting back to origins
Digital system set to streamline procedures for trade from LDCs to the EU
February 13, 2019 -
Deanna Ramsay, Michelle Kovacevic, Cécile de Gardelle
Striving to make Pacific economic dreams a reality
Solomon Islands putting itself on the tourism map
January 28, 2019 -
Deanna Ramsay
Aligning agriculture and trade
In countries where farming sustains families and economies, sustainable trade in agricultural products means everything
October 15, 2018 -
Deanna Ramsay
Christina Chatima: On using trade as an engine for growth
Increasing agricultural proceeds, processing and marketing are critical in Malawi’s development plans
August 26, 2018 -
Deanna Ramsay
Malawi reaping what it's sowing
Targeting soy and groundnuts for export, the country and its farmers are seeing rewards
August 14, 2018 -
Deanna Ramsay
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
August 13, 2018 -
Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF)
Comoros making scents
Three tiny, volcanic Indian Ocean islands are producing 60% of the world's supply of ylang-ylang
August 09, 2018 -
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
July 27, 2018 -
Daria Shatskova
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
June 11, 2018 -
Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF)
Cashing in on cashews in The Gambia
A journey from farmers’ fields to export markets
June 08, 2018 -
Michelle Kovacevic, Mbaye Ndiaye
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
April 25, 2018 -
WTO
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
April 09, 2018 -
Lynsey Grosfield
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)
March 13, 2018 -
Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF)
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.
March 12, 2018 -
Deanna Ramsay
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
March 03, 2018 -
Michelle Kovacevic
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.
March 03, 2018 -
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
January 25, 2018 -
Simon Hess, Michelle Kovacevic
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
January 16, 2018 -
Michelle Kovacevic
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.
November 11, 2017 -
Ratnakar Adhikari, Joe Natuman
Tourism as a way to lift the Pacific out of poverty
Originally published by Thomson Reuters Foundation News
November 09, 2017 -
Voices of trade and development
July 26, 2017 -
Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF)
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.
July 19, 2016 -
Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF)
Maximizing the benefits of WTO membership: Life after accession for Afghanistan and Liberia
Nairobi, 19 July 2016
February 24, 2016 -
Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF)
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
March 06, 2014 -
Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF)
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
June 07, 2013 -