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

More than 2,000 gum arabic collectors in Chad have new tools and training. In Lao PDR, a trust fund of nearly US$26 million is supporting trade action. And for 37 Least Developed Countries (LDCs), trade has been integrated into their national development plans, creating a springboard for increased investments.

These are just a few of the many impacts generated over the 10 years of Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) partnership with LDCs on trade.

Spanning continents, climates and currencies, EIF works with a cross-section of the world. Female traders traversing the border in Rwanda, guesthouse owners on remote beaches in the Solomon Islands, ginger farmers on Nepal mountains – all are part of the EIF alliance that works to spur sustainable growth and reduce poverty.

How EIF has done so is as diverse as the countries the partnership works in. At the government level, we operate directly with ministries of trade to coordinate trade action, in the most strategic ways. Trainings and discussions help to shape development plans. Research and analysis produce studies that form the basis for policies and strategic sectoral support.

Then there is the direct work connecting traders to markets, together with a suite of expert partners. Work with micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) like a women-run honey cooperative in Zambia. Work connecting businesses to overseas buyers, with Togo’s soybeans now going to the Netherlands and Vietnam. Work to help brand Nepal’s pashmina products and garner new, luxury markets.

With a new plan taking the partnership to 2022, EIF is looking to even more impacts that address the holistic, interconnected nature of our work: to a total of 47 LDCs with trade integrated into their development plans; to 45 ecommerce initiatives; to 78 new technologies adopted; to more than half of project beneficiaries women.

And, EIF will continue to be a catalyst, spurring sustainable trade and increased investments that transforms lives.

*** 

Look out for more stories of EIF impact throughout 2019, as we focus in on our thematic results including on tourism, trade infrastructure, MSMEs, and more.