WEDF 2011 Conference Report

Download here WEDF 2011 Conference Report (PDF)

 

World Export Development Forum 2011

Private Sector Engagement with LDCs for Tourism-led Growth and Inclusive Sustainable Development
10-11 May 2011 – Istanbul, Turkey

WEDF 2011 was held within the framework of the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC-IV). More than 160 global leaders in trade, development and tourism came together to examine the contribution to job creation and growth of the services sector, and the tourism sector in particular.

Identifying viable opportunities for LDCs was the objective for ITC at the outset of planning for WEDF. Our aim was for countries to walk away from WEDF with firm project ideas on Inclusive cultural heritage product development for the enhancement of tourism in Ethiopia; Trade development for micro-artisans and artists in Uganda in the value chain of tourism; Integrating horticulture in the tourism supply chain; Engaging women vendors in the tourism value chain; and Recovering tourism after a crisis.

Building SMEs’ capacity for integration in the tourism value chain has the potential to lead to true economic transformation as tourism offers employment opportunities especially for women and youth, and backward linkages to the local economy. Turkey as host country to LDC-IV and WEDF could attest to the transformative capability of tourism, and it is with UN and private sector partners and LDCs that ITC will continue to work to achieve Export Impact for Good.