March 25, 2021 -

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted trade in the world’s least developed countries (LDCs) in a myriad of ways – from the complete collapse of tourism in some LDCs, to the rise of e-commerce opportunities in others. It’s also expected to impact donor country aid budgets for many years to come.

March 23, 2021 -

COVID-19 is taking a toll on developing countries and their debt

March 17, 2021 -

A year into Covid-19 being declared a global pandemic, this month’s Aid for Trade stocktaking event, organized by the Development Division of the World Trade Organization (WTO), offers a timely opportunity to assess impact on developing and least developed countries’ (LDC) trade needs, discuss how to make the recovery sustainable and mobilize financing where it is needed most.

March 11, 2021 -

In January 2020, the spread of an infectious disease appeared at the very bottom of the World Economic Forum’s top ten high-impact risks. A year later, it had risen to number one.

February 23, 2021 -

On adapting trade support to country priorities, including reducing the trade deficit

December 02, 2020 -

As the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic kick in, hopes for better progress, at least in the short term, appear to be fading.

October 14, 2020 -

Originally published by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization on 17 September 2020

August 18, 2020 -

Biruktawit Begashaw started her own export company, Qine Trading, five years ago in Addis Ababa. Her business got a boost after attending Gulfood in Dubai, sponsored through Ethiopia’s Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Enhanced Integrated Framework.

August 12, 2020 -

In 2017, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Commerce secured US$50 million from the World Bank to address trade facilitation and export diversification issues.

May 26, 2020 -

New report dives into the details of shifting treatment, export markets and more

May 18, 2020 -

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

May 14, 2020 -

Finding new buyers and tapping new markets, harnessing agriculture’s potential

February 21, 2020 -

EIF’s Steering Committee Chair talks donor priorities, laying the groundwork for investment in LDCs and more

January 14, 2020 -

Following rapid progress, up to 12 LDCs may leave the category in coming years. The countries involved include up to a quarter of the total LDC population.

December 04, 2019 -

Graduation from the least developed country (LDC) category, a milestone in a country’s development, is not free of controversies.

November 14, 2019 -

Least developed countries (LDCs) have traditionally recorded persistent trade deficits.

September 23, 2019 -

On the sidelines of the Aid for Trade Global Review 2019, The Gambia’s Vice President discusses the potential of women in trade

August 15, 2019 -

Originally published by World Economic Forum Agenda on 4 July 2019

August 08, 2019 -

In this issue: "Tentative steps to implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement in least developed countries", "Economic diversification: Why trade matters", and "Fisheries subsidies negotiations: What is at stake for least developed countries?"

July 03, 2019 -

GENEVA – 3 JULY 2019 – The world’s 47 least developed countries (LDCs) are home to more than one billion people. Yet, their collective share of global trade is less than one percent.

June 27, 2019 -

To help meet the investment needs of the future, foreign direct investment (FDI) flows have to increase substantially.

June 19, 2019 -

The digital transformation provides developing economies new opportunities to leapfrog industrial age infrastructure, to draw on the vast knowledge spillovers from the internet, to take advantage of new markets offered by digital platforms and to exploit production possibilities enabled by digital technologies.

June 13, 2019 -

Economic diversification and empowerment are essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals; they also embody the rationale behind the Aid for Trade Initiative.

June 06, 2019 -

Skills strategies can provide a bridging mechanism to enable disadvantaged groups such as youth and women to gain from international trade.

May 29, 2019 -

Fisheries are a crucial source of animal protein, livelihoods and export earnings for many developing countries, including several least developed countries.

May 21, 2019 -

Agreement provides least developed countries with novel provisions, with consultation needs taking centre stage

May 14, 2019 -

See what lies ahead at the biennial Aid for Trade event in July 2019

March 08, 2019 -

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

February 20, 2019 -

EIF’s Deputy Executive Director discusses EIF’s just-launched Strategic Plan 2019-2022 and leaving no LDC behind

October 29, 2018 -

A high-level panel at this year’s Public Forum examined the link between peace and trade, focusing on the opportunities and challenges that conflict-affected states face in developing their capacities to trade

October 03, 2018 -

Funding for aid for trade in LDCs is increasing – find out how much, from who, and where investments are going

August 18, 2018 -

When agriculture and trade align, change happens for incomes and economies

August 10, 2018 -

WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo's welcome message to participants at the Global Forum on Inclusive Trade for Least Developed Countries (LDCs)

August 08, 2018 -

EIF is the only multilateral partnership working to support trade for development in the world's poorest countries. Check out how we are doing this, on the ground, with our partners, together with governments, always for development, always for the Least Developed Countries.

July 23, 2018 -

The closing ceremony echoed the Call to Action launched at the Forum, taking inclusive trade for LDCs to the next level

July 09, 2018 -

This plenary session gathered ministerial-level officials from LDCs and high-level speakers to discuss the integration of LDCs into regional and global trading systems amid economic and political risk and uncertainty

July 05, 2018 -

For the first time, an alliance of African countries have called for targeted action to strengthen the trade capacity of the world’s poorest countries and enhance their position in global and regional markets

June 14, 2018 -

Their Call to Action affirms the role of trade as an engine for sustainable growth, reinforces the importance of the multilateral trading system and commits to inclusive trade policies

June 06, 2018 -

At the WTO from 13-14 June, the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) is convening its first Global Forum on Inclusive Trade for Least Developed Countries (LDCs), with representatives from more than 40 of the 51 LDCs and recent graduates coming together to act on trade

June 05, 2018 -

Ahead of his departure from Geneva, Ambassador to the Permanent Mission of Sweden to the WTO and EIF Steering Committee Chair Daniel Blockert speaks of key sectors for impact in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and the importance of sustainable solutions

March 01, 2018 -

The world’s 47 poorest countries are home to 13% of the global population, but account for only 1% of global trade. With the launch of a new portal entitled Trade for Development News, the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) is angling to provide a voice for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) on their successes, challenges and ways forward in tackling a US$92.9 billion trade gap.

February 18, 2018 -

Least Developed Countries (LDCs) face obstacles to improving their trade capacity, but there are opportunities on the horizon

January 19, 2018 -

On 29 May 2012 Willie Luen was preparing to emcee one of the most important meetings of his life. He remembers that the room — a hotel conference room in Port Vila, the capital city of Vanuatu — was so packed with people that the windows were starting to fog up.

July 07, 2017 -

Originally published on 7 July 2017 in the World Economic Forum Agenda

April 27, 2016 -

The Maldives has unique challenges due to its recent graduation from least developed country (LDC) status in 2011, and the resulting loss of trade preferences that it had been accorded as an LDC.

October 12, 2015 -

In his opening remarks at the "Twenty years of supporting the integration of least developed countries into the multilateral trading system" event, WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo reminded WTO members of the importance that the EIF Pledging Conference for Phase Two of the EIF be a success.

September 10, 2014 -

Myanmar is making rapid strides in the implementation of the EIF programme

May 22, 2014 -

In a meeting held at the World Trade Organization (WTO), H.E. Mr Christophe Roger Kolo, Prime Minister, signalled Madagascar's readiness to re-engage with the multilateral trading system with support from the WTO, the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) and development partners.

November 13, 2013 -

Trading Stories, the Book, accompanies the film series to show just how trade is about acting local to go global in eight of the poorest countries worldwide.

October 10, 2013 -

WTO Member states officially welcomed the new EIF Executive Director Dr. Ratnakar Adhikari and expressed their deep appreciation to the outgoing Executive Director Ms. Dorothy Tembo

October 31, 2012 -

Norway contributes 19.5 million Kroner to build sustainable trade foundations in Least Developed Countries 31 October 2012

December 10, 2010 -

The regional workshop hosted by the Government of Mali in Bamako marks a step forward in the delivery of the EIF trade and development programme in the region.