Financing
June 14, 2022 -
Fanan Biem
Beyond ODA and Aid for Trade: The critical value of alternative trade funding
The Enhanced Integrated Framework has remained a key conduit for both channelling and leveraging wider Aid for Trade resources to the LDCs over the past decade but also has the mandate to support LDCs expand their trade funding base.
June 07, 2022 -
Mahesh Sugathan
Plastic pollution: Can aid for trade help least developed countries tackle this crisis?
LDCs have to deal with millions of tonnes of plastic products imported each year, including products with embedded plastics and with associated plastic packaging.
May 03, 2022 -
Shehnaaz Moosa and Ekhosuehi Iyahen
The world of finance is waking up to the reality of climate change, but money still isn’t getting to the right places
Trade is a critical part of on the ground adaptation efforts that must also be considered, specifically local trade amongst small and medium enterprises which are impacted head-on by climate emergencies. We are seeing communities already vulnerable to shocks affected not only in terms of their resources getting destroyed or depleted but also due to a lack of support systems when this happens.
February 15, 2022 -
Daniel K. Kalinaki
As pandemic eases, LDCs face a long road to recovery
The World Bank warned that recovery will be slower in low-income countries, especially small, fragile and conflict-affected states. This is due to lower vaccination rates, tighter fiscal and monetary policies, and more persistent scarring from the pandemic.
January 25, 2022 -
Natasha Smith
Why trade finance matters to unlock LDCs' trade potential
A better access to trade finance in least developed countries (LDCs) could allow businesses to have the financial tools to participate in national, regional or global trade.
January 11, 2022 -
Lyonpo Loknath Sharma and Ratnakar Adhikari
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.
December 07, 2021 -
Violeta Gonzalez Behar, Michelle Kovacevic
Amid cyclones and COVID-19, Vanuatu makes bold decision to graduate from ‘least developed country’ category
Originally published by OECD Development Matters blog on 30th April 2021
October 19, 2021 -
Ratnakar Adhikari
Why foreign direct investment is key to Africa's sustainable recovery
Originally published by the World Economic Forum on 19 August 2021
July 20, 2021 -
Helen Castell
How LDCs can reset policy to attract more FDI
As foreign direct investment (FDI) in developing countries tumbles to 25-year lows, Least Developed Countries (LDCs) have an opportunity to buck this trend by dismantling trade barriers and developing stable policies that incentivize and de-risk value-add investment into strategic sectors.
July 13, 2021 -
Helen Castell, Violeta Gonzalez Behar
Narrowing the trade finance gap for LDCs
The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated the challenges Least Developed Countries (LDCs) face in accessing vital trade finance, as many have seen their local dollar liquidity shrink while foreign banks take a dimmer - and not always accurate - view of emerging market risk.
June 15, 2021 -
Deanna Ramsay
How can the “data revolution” work for developing economies?
New World Bank report shows how data could make an impact, and offers pathways to do so
May 18, 2021 -
Helen Castell
UNCTAD LDC Report: putting productive capacities first
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.
April 27, 2021 -
Helen Castell
Action plan for increasing LDCs’ share of blended finance
Least developed countries (LDCs) receive only 6% of the private finance mobilized globally through blended finance, and even then funds are concentrated in a handful of LDCs while ‘last mile’ countries, sectors and businesses miss out.
March 25, 2021 -
Violeta Gonzalez Behar, Michelle Kovacevic
New Insight briefs reveal how COVID-19 will impact Aid for Trade - and how LDCs can take advantage of innovating financing to support trade
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 -
Ceyla Pazarbasioglu
Sovereign debt challenges and priorities today
COVID-19 is taking a toll on developing countries and their debt
March 18, 2021 -
Caroline Freund
Global trade rebound suggests some lessons of COVID-19 are being learned
Recovery taking a different shape than expected
January 28, 2021 -
Violeta Gonzalez Behar
Helping small businesses build financial resilience
Originally published on World Economic Forum on 19th January 2021 as part of the
January 14, 2021 -
Moono Mupotola
Small businesses key to economic growth in Africa
Originally published by the International Trade Centre (ITC) International Trade Forum Magazine on 9 December 2020
December 01, 2020 -
Dr. Fahmida Khatun
Access to finance is crucial for women entrepreneurs
In Bangladesh, COVID-19 is impacting the female labour force more
August 11, 2020 -
Violeta Gonzalez Behar, Anisse Terai
COVID-19 is exacerbating the global trade finance gap
Originally published in World Economic Forum Agenda on 6 July 2020
July 30, 2020 -
Ratnakar Adhikari
How can least developed countries attract foreign direct investment in the context of COVID-19?
Ways for LDCs to adapt amid global turmoil
June 02, 2020 -
Michelle Kovacevic
Creating a strong investment climate in the wake of COVID-19
Supply chains are vulnerable, but there is also promise in new sectors for least developed countries
February 27, 2020 -
Marc Auboin, Violeta Gonzalez Behar
Why exporters need to mind the trade finance gap
Originally published in World Economic Forum Agenda on 10 February 2020