ITC and Duke CGGC launch institutional cooperation

(Geneva-Durham, North Carolina) – The Duke University Center on Globalization, Governance & Competitiveness (Duke CGGC) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that establishes the framework for institutional cooperation.

The cooperation will focus on the following areas:

• Development of methodologies and global value chain (GVC) analytical tools for inclusive sector development; 
• Joint implementation concentrating on GVC analysis and promotion of multi-stakeholder governance frameworks;
• Capacity building of local stakeholders with a special focus on ITC’s Alliances for Action methodology that fosters public-private collaboration conducive to sustainable, inclusive and resilient value chains; 
• Facilitation of public-private alliances and formulation of sector development strategies aimed at supporting inclusive and sustainable participation in value chains, and;
• Collaboration in fundraising and project development.

Specific projects within the scope of this MoU will be communicated in due course. This MoU builds on a Duke CGGC research study undertaken as part of the European Union funded project being jointly implemented by ITC and the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute entitled Connecting to the World Market Through Regional Value Chains: Partnership Opportunities in the Coconut Value Chain for the Small Caribbean Economies. Duke CGGC researcher Ajmal Abdulsamad was the author of this study and is expected to lead new projects resulting from this MoU.

‘ITC and Duke CGGC share a common goal to foster inclusive growth,’ said Duke CGGC Director Gary Gereffi. ‘There are many opportunities to leverage global value chain analysis to shed light on the competitiveness issues and opportunities for different sectors. The research that results from this MoU will provide real-world practical advice that informs decision-making for specific stakeholders and benefits the international development community overall.’

‘ITC is committed to playing a leading role in identifying, sharing and developing thought leadership and practical approaches to support our clients to innovate and make better decisions on how they participate in trade to achieve impact at large for inclusive social and economic development,” said Anders Aeroe, Director for Enterprises and Institutions at ITC.

‘Our collaboration with Duke CGGC is a strategic way to maximize the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises in value chains, and build and strengthen public-private partnerships and alliances that result in better and more sustainable trade.’

Notes for the Editor

About the International Trade Centre: ITC is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. ITC assists small and medium-sized enterprises in developing and transition economies to become more competitive in global markets, thereby contributing to sustainable economic development within the frameworks of the Aid-for-Trade agenda and the Global Goals for Sustainable Development.

For more information, please contact:

Mr. Hernan Manson, Senior Officer Sector & Enterprise Competitiveness, ITC, manson [at] intracen.org (manson[at]intracen[dot]org).
Mr. Ajmal Abdulsamad, Senior Research Analyst, Duke CGGC, ajmal.abdulsamad [at] duke.edu (ajmal[dot]abdulsamad[at]duke[dot]edu)