http://www.intracen.org//layouts/RSSFeed.aspx?id=48855Ethiopia should assess the potential benefits of liberalization of its services sector as a means to fulfil its own ambitions for growth and development in the upcoming negotiations for the country’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). This...http://www.intracen.org/news/ethiopia-business-to-play-bigger-role-in-WTO-accession-effort/03/01/2013 2:39:30 AMDeveloping a national food control strategy and accreditation of official laboratories are some of the steps that Mauritius must take to remove barriers to trade. These and other issues were discussed at a workshop in Mauritius on 24 January where the...http://www.intracen.org/news/Non-tariff-measures-affecting-Mauritian-trade/02/04/2013 9:49:26 AMMore importantly, for developing and least developed countries, they also have a major bearing on how governments design and implement development and poverty reduction strategies, and pursue sustainable, inclusive economic growth, both at home and in...http://www.intracen.org/article/turning-challenges-into-opportunities/01/14/2013 3:23:03 AMWhen SalamaTulari sat at her roadside shed in Tamale peddling yams and wondering how she'd ever come up with the money to expand her business, she never imagined her voice would help determine the future of Ghana's strategy to develop its yam industry.But...http://www.intracen.org/news/Ghana-producers-and-industry-experts-co-author-yam-sector-strategy/12/23/2012 1:06:12 PMThat was the message at a meeting earlier this month where representatives from private sector associations and government ministries and agencies met to discuss Liberia’s bid for WTO membership. At the three day event, attended by over 50 participants,...http://www.intracen.org/news/Private-sector-and-government-cooperation-key-to-maximising-benefits-from-Liberia’s-WTO-accession/12/20/2012 9:32:04 AMUnderstanding the policy implications of non-tariff measures (NTMs) is crucial to policymakers and researchers for them to defend the trade interests of Pakistan, according to Mr Tahir Maqsood, Director-General of PITAD. Mr Maqsood was addressing the...http://www.intracen.org/news/Understanding-NTMs-means-understanding-trade-interests/10/17/2012 5:49:17 AMAs part of accession of the Russian Federation to the World Trade Organization, ITC’s Business and Trade Policy section has sponsored a paper that seeks to increase awareness about the terms of the country’s accession commitments, in particular in the...http://www.intracen.org/news/Preparing-Russia’s-businesses-for-WTO-challenges/09/26/2012 11:17:16 AMDespite a global decline in tariff rates to historically low levels, trade is far from being free. Factors such as technical regulations, product standards and customs procedures still prevent limitless exchange of goods across countries. Such non-tariff...http://www.intracen.org/article/Gathering-evidence-on-barriers-to-trade/09/25/2012 7:49:57 AMIn industrialized countries tariffs have fallen to about one-tenth of what they were, largely as a result of negotiations fostered by the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). In developing countries progress came later and has been less, but...http://www.intracen.org/article/Easing-the-burden-of-non-tariff-barriers/09/25/2012 7:19:35 AMThe World Trade Organization's (WTO) World Trade Report 2012 takes a fresh look at non-tariff measures (NTMs). NTMs are nothing new, they have existed since countries started to trade and been subject to General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade disciplines...http://www.intracen.org/article/Trade-and-public-policies-A-closer-look-at-non-tariff-measures-in-the-21st-century/09/25/2012 5:03:39 AMJean-Marie Paugam, ITC’ Deputy Executive Director, at a speech in Moscow on 24 September welcomed the Russian Federation into the WTO family to which ITC belongs. Mr Paugam was speaking at “Russia In The WTO: The Launch Forum” held at the World Trade...http://www.intracen.org/itc-to-help-boost-russiansmes-trade-skills.aspx09/24/2012 11:58:02 AMIn today's world trade, the relative importance of non-tariff measures (NTMs) vis-à-vis tariffs for developing countries' exports has grown significantly. This is because the ability of developing countries to gain reliable market access depends on their...http://www.intracen.org/article/Non-tariff-measures-A-key-issue-in-evolving-trade-policy/09/24/2012 8:47:29 AMDoes Baluchistan, Pakistan or Newfoundland, Canada have more power to promote investment? Can the negotiations of bilateral trade treaties have a knock on effect on treaties already in place with other countries? In a seminar room at the University of...http://www.intracen.org/news/Trade-policy-training-with-lasting-impact/09/17/2012 4:59:12 AMThe Russian Federation on 22 August became the 156th member of the World Trade Organization, putting an end to the accession process that started in June 1993. With Russia as a member of the trade arbiter, WTO will represent 98% of global trade. Russia’s...http://www.intracen.org/news/ITC-welcomes-Russia-and-Vanuatu-as-WTO-members/08/28/2012 12:41:02 PMITC’s global events this October and November will focus on innovation and emerging markets as forces to power sustainable export growth. The 13th World Export Development Forum (WEDF) will take place in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 15-17 October, followed...http://www.intracen.org/news/Creating-growth-through-inclusion-and-innovation/08/16/2012 6:27:54 AMAs part of its work to build institutional capacities for the private sector and improve trade, the Government of the Republic of South Sudan at a recent high-level meeting in Juba asked ITC to assist in its efforts to achieve these goals. The meeting,...http://www.intracen.org/news/South-Sudan-wants-ITC-to-help-boost-private-sector-growth/08/02/2012 5:13:13 AMITC’s efforts to help Tajikistan implement domestic reforms in order to become a full member of the World Trade Organization are moving ahead steadily. On 21-23 may, ITC staff co-hosted a series of training events and meetings in Dushanbe as part of...http://www.intracen.org/news/Tajiks-prepare-for-next-step-in-WTO-membership-talks/07/02/2012 11:58:04 AMNearly 40 years ago, the government of Atlanta adopted sweeping and bold economic development policies to stabilize the city’s economy and expand business and job opportunities. Then-mayor Maynard Jackson, Jr., the first African American mayor of a major...http://www.intracen.org/article/Women-and-minority-procurement-Atlanta39s-approach/06/28/2012 10:55:19 AMIn a little more than a century, 40 women have won the Nobel Prize, and there is a steady improvement in the representation of women in national parliaments worldwide. Women have achieved levels of excellence that indeed have made our world a better...http://www.intracen.org/article/Opening-government-procurement-to-women’s-enterprises/06/28/2012 10:43:08 AMThe Co-chair of the Public Private Dialogue Steering Committee (PPDSC) and Director General of the Pakistan Institute of Trade And Development (PITAD) formally submitted to the Government of Pakistan two policy recommendation papers for consideration and potential implementation…http://www.intracen.org/news/Policy-recommendations-stemming-from-Public-Private-Dialogue-formally-submitted-to-Government-of-Pakistan/04/27/2012 10:54:00 AMThe experiences of countries around the world demonstrate that sound trade policies and public-private dialogue are essential to successful exporting. In Pakistan, sustainable trade expansion is hampered by a lack of training to build a cohort of well-informed...http://www.intracen.org/article/Boosting-trade-policy-in-Pakistan/03/30/2012 9:55:39 AMThe poor are more vulnerable to risks and economic shocks than the rest of the population. They are also the least able to cope when a crisis occurs. Development efforts tend to focus on strategies to boost incomes, build assets and create jobs, but...http://www.intracen.org/article/Using-insurance-to-drive-trade/03/30/2012 5:51:05 AMDespite turmoil in the global economy, global foreign direct investment (FDI) rose by 17% in 2011 to US$ 1.5 trillion. This sum surpassed average global FDI before the 2008 financial crisis. However, the fragility of the world economy will have an impact...http://www.intracen.org/article/Pinning-down-policies-for-international-investment/03/29/2012 9:28:47 AMThe Pakistan Institute of Trade and Development (PITAD), the World Trade Institute (WTI) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) met on 20 January 2012 at WTI in Bern, Switzerland, to review progress on the first year of their partnership agreement...http://www.intracen.org/news/One-year-on---Partnership-agreement-with-the-Pakistan-Institute-of-Trade-and-Development-and-the-World-Trade-Institute/02/20/2012 10:24:21 AM<p><span>Ethiopia has a better chance of becoming a member of the World Trade Organization than any other least-developed country, WTO Director-General <span class="Name"><span>Pascal Lamy</span></span> said. This is largely due to Ethiopia's status as the second-most populous African nation, with more than 82 million inhabitants, even though other LDCs have bigger economies, Lamy told <span class="Name"><span>Mulu Solomon</span></span>, president of the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations, on January 30 in Addis Ababa</span>...</p>http://www.intracen.org/news/Ethiopia-has-edge-over-other-poor-nations-in-bid-to-join-WTO-Lamy-says/02/09/2012 7:43:44 AMWhile certain proponents of global free trade may disagree, regional trade blocs offer a compelling model for economic development. By removing barriers to trade within a region – harmonizing regulation to enable the free flow of goods, services and...http://www.intracen.org/article/Aspiration-vs-reality-Local-perspectives-on-regional-trade/12/08/2011 9:33:41 AMWhen I opened the 31st formal, and final, Working Party on the Accession of the Russian Federation to the WTO, jubilation and excitement were in the air. It was among the most eagerly awaited events at the WTO, bringing to a close 18 years of talks between...http://www.intracen.org/article/Poised-for-WTO-membership-the-Russian-Federation/12/07/2011 10:07:48 AMTen years ago, China joined the World Trade Organization (WTO). Its membership and integration into the world economy had a huge – and hugely underestimated – positive impact on global prosperity. Consumers gained from less expensive imports and, more...http://www.intracen.org/article/The-shape-of-globalization-China’s-remarkable-role/12/02/2011 11:00:13 AMUnder the EU-funded Trade Related Technical Assistance (TRTA II) programme, a two day training course on “Regional integration - Comparative legal framework” was conducted on 16-17 November 2011 at the Pakistan Institute of Trade and Development (PITAD),...http://www.intracen.org/news/Training-course-on-regional-integration-for-Pakistani-policymakers/11/23/2011 9:30:23 AM<span lang="EN-US">The first PPD on Services Sector Export Development Strategy for Pakistan took place in Islamabad on 27 October 2011 within the framework of the European Union (EU) funded Trade Related Technical Assistance (TRTA II) programme. Over 120 participants from public and private sectors as well as civil society attended the event... </span>http://www.intracen.org/news/Services-sector-export-development-strategy-for-Pakistan-discussed-during-ITC-organized-public-private-dialogue-PPD/11/21/2011 10:40:55 AMA four-day training course on Trade Policy and Negotiations took place at the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) between 25 and 28 October, 2011, in Manila...http://www.intracen.org/news/Training-course-in-the-Philippines-on-trade-policy-for-private-and-public-participants/10/28/2011 11:18:50 AMIn an increasingly connected world, creative uses of technology provide new opportunities to enable two-way information flows between governments and citizens. Through its ICT Knowledge Platform on Innovations for Accountability and Service Delivery...http://www.intracen.org/article/The-World-Bank’s-ICT-innovations-for-accountability-and-service-delivery/10/26/2011 10:52:06 AMAgri-food production and distribution systems are rapidly changing. One of the momentous forces driving this is world population growth. World population is expected to reach 9 billion by 2050 and fertile farmland is increasingly becoming an attractive...http://www.intracen.org/article/Contract-farming-Opportunities-and-risks/09/28/2011 8:27:29 AMDevelopment aid has targeted food security and agri-business for more than 40 years, but has yet to succeed in overcoming the imbalance between supply and demand. Nor has it made much impact on reducing hunger and rural poverty among communities that...http://www.intracen.org/article/New-approaches-to-feeding-the-world’s-population/09/28/2011 8:12:11 AMGrowth – whether driven by the agriculture or non-agriculture sectors – is insufficient to address child malnutrition and reduce micronutrient malnutrition. Strategic investments and special programmes are needed in the complementary sectors of health...http://www.intracen.org/article/Growth-is-good-but-not-enough-to-improve-nutrition/09/27/2011 11:56:05 AMThe resurgence of high food prices in 2010 awakened fears of a repeat of the 2007-08 food crisis, threatening increasing food insecurity, rampant food price inflation and civil unrest. While, fortunately, the worst fears have not materialized generally,...http://www.intracen.org/article/Agricultural-commodity-price-volatility-How-improved-information-and-transparency-can-limit-the-swings/09/27/2011 10:14:14 AMThe famine in the Horn of Africa has shed light not only on the scale of the human disaster, but the urgent need for long-term agricultural policy reform and an overhaul of the global food aid system. Tonight, some 1 billion people will go to...http://www.intracen.org/article/Food-aid-A-missed-opportunity-for-reform/09/27/2011 10:03:38 AMShortage of capital is a major obstacle for tourism development, and many countries – especially in the developing world – increasingly look to foreign investors to provide capital that will help develop their tourism industries. Attracting...http://www.intracen.org/article/UNCTAD-Investment-trends/07/27/2011 9:20:22 AMThe rapidly evolving green growth paradigm shift that all nations are embracing at a policy level, with the buy-in of industry and civil society, provides an unparalleled opportunity to leverage the massive socio-economic power of travelism...http://www.intracen.org/article/Tourism-amp-travel-in-the-green-economy/07/27/2011 8:13:40 AMIn its blueprint for new tourism, the World Travel &amp; Tourism Council promotes the importance of partnerships for sustainable tourism development.   With global travel and tourism forecast to grow at a rate of 4% per year over the next...http://www.intracen.org/article/Blueprint-for-new-tourism-A-partnership-model/07/26/2011 10:42:56 AM