News

Cracking the code on a thriving partnership
The 2022 Evaluation of the EIF recognises that one of the key principles at the heart of the success of the EIF model is partnership. Here is what we have learned about partnerships:

The war in Ukraine could bring economies of poorest countries on brink of catastrophe
The impact of the war in Ukraine on food and fuel prices will weaken economies already battered by the COVID-19 pandemic and climate-related disasters.

Introducing the EIF Evaluation Report Series
The partnership of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) has recently undertaken an evaluation of the initiative, from the birth of the EIF from the original Integrated Framework to late 2021.

Five things to know about Least Developed Countries and ecommerce
New tech uses present challenges – and a host of opportunities – for the world’s poorest countries

Raising the profile of trade in least developed countries
Trade is key to sustainable development and growth. This knowledge can spur action from governments and businesses, but only if the word gets out.

New index suggests productive capacities should be priority at LDC5
A United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) report on findings from its Productive Capacities Index (PCI) h

Can domestic tourism lay the groundwork for something bigger in Comoros and Djibouti?
In some least developed countries, COVID-19 causing a shift in tourism plans Lake Assal. The Moucha-Maskali Islands. Lake Abbé. Heard of them?

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.

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.

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

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.

On support for global trade in Africa, today
A pandemic. Development hurdles. Structural impediments. What is there for least developed countries in Africa to improve trade?

Delving deep into trade priorities for least developed countries
Tourism, apparel and sustainable development strategies are covered in new series of policy briefs from the Enhanced Integrated Framework

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.

How West Africa’s cashew companies have weathered the COVID-19 crisis
Originally published by the OECD on 4th March.

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.

Aid for Trade: time to take stock of Covid-19’s impact
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.

Rising heat and snow-bare peaks chill Nepal's mountain economy
Originally published by Thomson Reuters Foundation, Tuesday, 9 February 2021 03:30 GMT

On monitoring trade results in the least developed countries
Seeing impacts in a complicated trade landscape requires learning and adapting

Pay cuts and forced overtime: COVID-19 takes heavy toll on Ethiopia's garment workers
Originally published by Thompson Reuters Foundation News on 22 December 2020

With trade aims, Guinea looking to address agricultural potential
Guinea trying out south-south cooperation venture with Tunisia Trade in Guinea today centres mostly around the export of gold and bauxite, which is used to create aluminum. The country has the world’s largest deposits of the red rock, and aluminum prices are increasing.

What industrialization means for well-being – and why it matters
Originally published by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization on 17 September 2020

An island of (trade) knowledge – Samoa Trade Information Portal
New site making life easier for traders

Study offers tips for Equatorial Guinea’s trade enhancement
From a focus on fisheries to WTO membership, analysis of the country’s economic situation offers ways to move forward

Paying tribute to Mali's Mohamed Sidibé
In honor of former Enhanced Integrated Framework National Coordinator in Mali

The evolution of Quality Infrastructure in the Caribbean
Like the Pacific, independence from colonialism is what kickstarted the development of Quality Infrastructure in the Caribbean.

Pacific island countries band together to increase export quality
Trade ministers in the Pacific approve the region’s first strategic framework on quality infrastructure

Cambodia’s digital startups help blunt economic impact of COVID-19
An uptick in business, especially in the delivery of food and essential items, is enhancing resilience in the wake of the crisis.

Making trade facilitation gender sensitive
New tool offers actions to tackle the barriers to trade that women face

Seeing the silver lining in shea - Kora’s story
Shea is critical to the income of rural communities, and a new effort across four shea-producing countries in West Africa is looking to boost those incomes

COVID-19 and tourism in Africa’s protected areas: Impacts and recovery needs
COVID-19 has led to a steep decline in business for operators in protected areas, coupled with a substantial drop in future booking requests.

Kiribati sets sights on overcoming hurdles to ecommerce
Digital solutions implemented to combat the spread of COVID-19 give fresh impetus to efforts to harness the development gains of ICT and ecommerce.

Fragile countries call for cooperation in battle against COVID-19
Pandemic response highlights resilience of already-fragile countries

Tourism and COVID-19: An opportunity to rebuild better
Halting of travel devastating sector that is a key driver of growth in the world’s poorest countries

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

Tanzania, Malawi prepare to reap benefits of digital economy
UNCTAD has assessed the state of play in the two countries and identified policy actions required to harness ecommerce for development.

How does graduation from least developed country status change a nation’s trade prospects?
New report dives into the details of shifting treatment, export markets and more

Senegal's ecommerce sector helps country cope with COVID-19
Trade ministry fast-tracks measures to ease access to essential goods and services during the pandemic.

What are least developed countries doing in response to COVID-19?
A roundup of recent news on the global pandemic, covering issues facing some of the world’s poorest countries – and what they are doing

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

COVID-19, least developed countries and financial support
What are international institutions pledging in the wake of the pandemic?

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

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.

Chad aiming for export diversification, and with that stability
Country is addressing its fragility through renewed efforts to stimulate economy

Leaving no one behind: New help for graduating least developed countries (Part I)
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.

Tuvalu lays ecommerce groundwork to spur development
UNCTAD's assessment identifies available opportunities and barriers to overcome for e-commerce to flourish in the country.

Is African agriculture waking up?
New report delves into the trade data on agriculture on the continent, finding positive trends, points of concern and suggestions for the future

Learning from least developed countries on effective climate adaptation and resilience
Some of the key elements characterising effective adaptation and resilience to climate change are a long-term perspective, coordinated and coherent action, and a socially just and inclusive approach.

Trade in wildlife as a pathway to sustainable development in poor countries – critical assumptions
Well-managed trade in wild animals and plants can contribute to the conservation of the species.

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.

Weak development of LDC productive capacities leads to foreign deficits and external financing dependence
Least developed countries (LDCs) have traditionally recorded persistent trade deficits.

The partnership imperative for African innovation in the fourth industrial revolution
The entrepreneurial uptake of computer technology and the entrenchment of digitisation have made Africa a demonstrable source of intellectual power in the digital sphere.

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.

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.

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

How can we protect African biodiversity via LDC ecotourism?
Solutions, pitfalls and priorities to stimulate ecotourism, preserve wildlife and develop, sustainably

Unlocking the hidden value of cotton by-products in African least developed countries
Investment mobilization and technology transfers could increase incomes, and enable value addition

Anne Kabahuma Kalinzi: Pushing for local handicrafts, readying for global business
Empowerment and markets are on this Ugandan woman’s agenda

How can developing countries seize returns from the fourth industrial revolution?
Without action, one out of every four people living in LDCs will be offline due to the lack of digital skills

New WTO research puts spotlight on natural disasters and trade
How can countries use trade to promote resilience?

Aid for Trade & LDCs Magazine
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?"

Lesotho ready to channel its growth to go digital
New report on Lesotho shows how the small, mountainous nation could unlock its digital market to diversify its economy.

Three trade challenges for least developed countries to converge and eradicate poverty
The current trading environment is inadequately supportive to contribute to growth, boost incomes, create jobs through new market access opportunities and reduce poverty.

How can foreign direct investment fulfil its development potential in least developed countries?
To help meet the investment needs of the future, foreign direct investment (FDI) flows have to increase substantially.

Strengthening the gender dimension of aid for trade in the least developed countries
Aid for trade can support women’s economic empowerment, which is key to sustainable development.

A strategy to leverage the digital transformation for development
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.

For trade development, shifting from fragility to resilience
The relative importance of trade and the degree of export concentration are higher than average in fragile least developed countries (LDCs).

Aid for trade, economic diversification and empowerment in the least developed countries
Economic diversification and empowerment are essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals; they also embody the rationale behind the Aid for Trade Initiative.

The African Continental Free Trade Area: Dawn of a new era
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will transform the way Africa trades, with intra-African trade expected to increase by 15-25 per cent, and the boost to trade in industrial goods accelerating diversification of Africa’s economies.

Economic diversification: Why trade matters
Economic diversification is a key element of development in which a country moves to a more diverse production structure, scaling-up resilience to external shocks and providing a path for equitable growth.

Fisheries subsidies negotiations: What is at stake for least developed countries?
Fisheries are a crucial source of animal protein, livelihoods and export earnings for many developing countries, including several least developed countries.

Tentative steps to implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement in least developed countries
Agreement provides least developed countries with novel provisions, with consultation needs taking centre stage

What to expect from WTO's 2019 Global Review of Aid for Trade
See what lies ahead at the biennial Aid for Trade event in July 2019

For LDC exporters and EU importers, getting back to origins
Digital system set to streamline procedures for trade from LDCs to the EU

Over 10 years, working with and for trade development in LDCs
Addressing trade in its many forms, EIF partnership creating sustainable impacts

Aiming for major trade outcomes, EIF launches Strategic Plan 2019-2022
Aligned with the Global Goals, plan has elevated efforts and new targets

EIF's 2017 Annual Report
The results of the Enhanced Integrated Framework in 2017

In fast-evolving trade landscape, addressing the structural challenges
WTO’s Aid for Trade programme putting a spotlight on LDCs

Information on new product requirements for LDCs – now direct to your inbox
ePing platform helping countries keep track of assorted requirements, transforming communication and comment

What’s going on with Aid for Trade in the Least Developed Countries
Funding for aid for trade in LDCs is increasing – find out how much, from who, and where investments are going

Minding the gaps between field and marketplace
Strategic alliances and alignments are key to making trade in agriculture work, for all

Exploring the agriculture and trade nexus in Africa
A multimedia collection from the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF)

Agriculture & Trade Magazine
In some of the most impoverished countries in the world, agriculture is the backbone of the economy

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

Taking trade online
What do a mountainous landlocked country, a post-war African nation, and three small island developing states have in common?

Infographic: Vanuatu eTrade Readiness Assessment
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

Infographic: Solomon Islands eTrade Readiness Assessment
The current low use of ecommerce in Solomon Islands belies significant potential for the sector to grow swiftly and make economic and socioeconomic contributions to the country

Infographic: Highlights from the Nepal Trade Integration Study (NTIS)
Study identifies priority sectors for impact

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

Women & Trade Magazine
In this issue: "Samoa's coconuts go global," "Taking female-led businesses from local to global," and "Women at the helm of Senegal's mango industry"

Driving safe trade solutions worldwide
A new book on sanitary and phytosanitary gaps from the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) highlights ways to support farmers, processors, traders and governments in developing countries to access global markets

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

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)

New market creating fresh connections in Lesotho
Just-launched facility offers state-of-the-art services, and promises to boost business

Six key factors in formalizing artisanal and small-scale mining
Working in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM)—informal mining activities carried out using minimal technology or machinery—provides livelihoods for millions of people

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.

Small country, big future: A Trade Policy Review of The Gambia, at-a-glance
The WTO's Trade Policy Review of The Gambia, taking place within the first year of the new administration, was an opportune time to reflect on the state of the economy and deliberate on the type of policies and actions that could help the country better participate in global trade

Trade for Development News: Launch Edition
Download the first print edition of Trade for Development News!

Righting a raw deal for Burkina Faso’s cashew processors
Burkina Faso's cashew sector has been re-made, as a matter of national priority.

Benin cassava flour makers seek Geographical Indication
Two dozen Beninese women making a unique type of garri flour sign up to a new code of practice to better market their product and boost incomes

Comorian vanilla and clove exporters secure financing with ITC help
Project strengthens value chains of vanilla, clove and ylang ylang in the Union of the Comoros Originally posted at ITC News

Coordinating on trade in Vanuatu
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.

Samoa takes important steps to becoming ecommerce ready
The Pacific Island nation of Samoa has made considerable progress in recent years in getting businesses and consumers online but still faces challenges before being fully ready to benefit from e-commerce, an UNCTAD and EIF assessment of the country says.

Trade, promoting equal gender opportunities and empowering women and girls
Meet a young woman from Cambodia who received silk production training through an EIF project

Maximizing the benefits of WTO membership: Life after accession for Afghanistan and Liberia
Nairobi, 19 July 2016

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

Trade and eco-friendly business solutions
Developing eco-friendly business solutions for rural households

Trade and services, rehabilitation and promoting cultural heritages
Contributing to the reconstruction of communities after a natural disaster

Fighting to maintain ecosystem balance and halt the advancing Sahara desert
Oumar is one of the 370,500 people in Mali producing gum arabic, among which 80% (296,400) are women.

Trade, building sustainable livelihoods, fostering greater competition and managing water conservation
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.

WTO DG Azevêdo: Successful EIF pledging conference a "significant outcome" for Nairobi
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.

Madagascar Prime Minister asks EIF to boost Madagascar's trading future
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.

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

Communiqué - EIF, Central and West Africa, and Haiti Regional Workshop
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.