Q&A

Ambassador Sumbue Antas: On Vanuatu's graduation and resilience
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.

On trading in Tuvalu
Trade practitioners discuss the country’s trade landscape, and what their daily work entails

Making trade part of the peacebuilding process in the Central African Republic
The Enhanced Integrated Framework explores the work of its National Implementation Units in fragile and conflict-affected countries and looks at the role the units play in integrating trade into the rebuilding of these countries.

David Laborde: How to help LDCs stay food secure through COVID-19
International Food Policy Research Institute (IFRPRI) Senior Research Fellow discusses the challenges and opportunities for food security in least developed countries amidst the COVID-19 pandemic

Hanna Norberg: On instigating a new, and growing, trade community
The Trade Experettes founder discusses the blossoming global network of female experts from ‘all walks of trade’

Ambassador Morten Jespersen: Looking at aid funding, the private sector and country visions – where are LDCs now?
EIF’s Steering Committee Chair talks donor priorities, laying the groundwork for investment in LDCs and more

In the current trade climate, what are the risks and opportunities for developing countries? (Part II)
International Monetary Fund (IMF) economists Martin Kaufman and Papa N’Diaye discuss trade, climate change mitigation and technology in Part II of their interview.

Amid slowing global growth, how are low-income countries faring? (Part 1)
International Monetary Fund (IMF) economists Martin Kaufman and Papa N’Diaye discuss the impacts of the current trade tensions, and the prospects for developing economies in an unsteady global landscape.

David Laborde: Addressing the nexus of food security, trade tensions and developing economies, where are we now?
International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) Senior Research Fellow discusses agriculture-based economies and how the current US-China trade situation is affecting the world’s poor

Phouvieng Phongsa: Examining Lao PDR’s trade journey
Deputy Director General in the Department of Planning and Cooperation at the Lao PDR Ministry of Industry and Commerce discusses harmonizing trade, regional integration and managing resources wisely

Ann Linde: Talking aid for trade, global growth and making trade deals happen
Then Swedish Minister for Foreign Trade, Ann Linde (now Minister for Foreign Affairs) discusses supporting developing country exports and the need to close the gender gap

Globalisation, robotics and pathways to development
A conversation with Richard Baldwin

Isatou Touray: On getting good data, shaping gender-responsive policies and unleashing women in business
On the sidelines of the Aid for Trade Global Review 2019, The Gambia’s Vice President discusses the potential of women in trade

Ramkrishna Adhikari: With a young, tech-savvy population, Nepal forging ahead on its ecommerce path
Nepal’s Under Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies talks all things trade – online

Global value chains and development paths: A conversation with Caroline Freund
Talking global value chains and trade integration, ahead of forthcoming World Bank report

Ambassador Morten Jespersen: On making trade work for LDCs, now
The EIF Steering Committee Chair talks contemporary trade challenges and using resources the right way

H.E. Dr. François Xavier Ngarambe: Aiming for ecommerce success in Rwanda
Following UNCTAD’s Ecommerce Week in April 2019 and on the cusp of a new partnership with EIF to boost ecommerce, Rwanda’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Geneva discusses the state of play for online trade in the country

Agnes Hugot: On aiming for a win-win-win for trade
Virtual connections, transparency and financing through one platform can make for just the right combination to support MSMEs

Kemvichet Long: On helping Cambodia’s businesses enter the global ecommerce marketplace
During UNCTAD’s Ecommerce Week in April 2019, Deputy Director General for International Trade at the Cambodia Ministry of Commerce talks all things e-trade

Annette Ssemuwemba: What’s hot, what’s new in EIF’s fresh strategy
EIF’s Deputy Executive Director discusses EIF’s just-launched Strategic Plan 2019-2022 and leaving no LDC behind

Monique van Daalen: On women, better business and Rwanda’s trade landscape
Following a recent visit to Rwanda with EIF, Netherlands Ambassador to the WTO and LDC Sub-Committee Chair Monique van Daalen discusses seeing the country’s cross border trade efforts in person, as well as the country’s policy in action

Christina Chatima: On using trade as an engine for growth
Increasing agricultural proceeds, processing and marketing are critical in Malawi’s development plans

Clement Kumbemba: On obtaining markets for Malawi’s harvests
The country is striving to enhance agro-processing, secure new markets and increase exports

Daniel Gay: The long and winding road to LDC graduation
The EIF’s Daria Shatskova talks development in the world’s poorest countries with UNDESA’s Daniel Gay

Princess of Burkina Faso Abze Djigma: On the need to support small businesses in LDCs, and good finance
We need to be in the driver's seat of economic growth because it's important for us and for the next generation, and is the right pathway to trade with other countries. It's my duty to start doing some of the homework to facilitate trade

Five questions to Least Developed Country governments about inclusive trade
Bridges Africa and Passerelles discussed trade and sustainable development with Fatoumata Jallow-Tambajang, Vice President of The Gambia, Kamrang Tekreth, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Commerce of Cambodia, and Hassan Come, Minister of Commerce and Industry of the Central African Republic (CAR)

Daniel Blockert: On fostering resilience, and lifting up women and small businesses in Least Developed Countries
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

Betty Chinyamunyamu: Finding potential in Malawi’s farmers – and forging new markets
In a country with a majority of the population cultivating small plots of land, empowering smallholder farmers is the key to economic success

Talking ecommerce with Alioune Sarr, Senegal’s Trade Minister
The challenges with which African countries are faced in the context of ecommerce – and which hinder its development – are multifaceted

Wanjira Mathai on women's renewable energy entrepreneurship in LDCs
EIF Coordinators Hang Tran and Simon Hess interview Wanjira Mathai of wPOWER partnership on women's entrepreneurship in renewables

Ratnakar Adhikari: Enhancing partnerships for better, more inclusive trade
Least Developed Countries (LDCs) face obstacles to improving their trade capacity, but there are opportunities on the horizon