Telling the trade stories of least developed countries

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.

The Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Vanuatu to the WTO talks graduation journey, Covid-19 and climate resilience, and how leaving the LDC category means the work as only just started.

The EIF recognises that our contribution to creating a thriving e-commerce ecosystem in LDCs is part and parcel of a bigger effort bringing together the expertise and skills of many others. While some are working together with the private sector, including small businesses, others are working with governments. While some invest in building digital infrastructure, others impart knowledge to build digital skills and yet others provide support to prepare and implement e-commerce policies.

Originally published by OECD Development Matters blog on 30th April 2021

Tourism, apparel and sustainable development strategies are covered in new series of policy briefs from the Enhanced Integrated Framework

Country’s online trading system off to a timely start, as COVID’s physical distancing requirements disrupt manual systems

Originally published by the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) on 1 April 2020

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.

Vanuatu became a member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) back in 2012, and has made immense economic progress.

There are examples of sustainable, fair and ethical trade in products based on natural, biological resources and traditional knowledge.

How can countries use trade to promote resilience?

Geographical barriers, including isolation from main markets, have resulted in issues for Vanuatu to access international networks and grow its businesses

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

The EIF’s Daria Shatskova talks development in the world’s poorest countries with UNDESA’s Daniel Gay

Consumers and businesses in two remote Pacific island nations can look forward to a better connected and more prosperous future, according to assessments made by UNCTAD of their readiness to benefit from electronic commerce

The Government has shown a strong interest in adopting economic and social policies that can facilitate the development of the Internet economy, of which e-commerce is one segment. Unlocking its potential will also reduce distance to markets, reduce “sealockedness” and enable Vanuatu to leapfrog certain barriers associated with physical trade

Often, the Pacific seems very far. With these new partnerships, we are cutting the distance to ensure that trade-led development brings tangible benefits to the people in the Pacific, including women and youth.

Women entrepreneurs are helping to restore island nation’s economy after the ravages of Cyclone Pam

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.

Vanuatu, a series of small islands surrounded by clear, blue water in the South Pacific, is a natural tourist attraction – and its economy depends heavily on the sector, which employs 55 percent of Vanuatu’s labor force and represents 65 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP).

Originally published by Thomson Reuters Foundation News

Contributing to the reconstruction of communities after a natural disaster