Publications

Summary: Many trade obstacles can be dealt with at home. This ITC survey of exporters and importers in Malawi reveals that their main challenges to access markets abroad are twofold in relation to non-tariff measures. First, product certification is problematic: companies have difficulties to meet international standards. In addition, Malawi lacks an internationally accredited facility to certify products. Second, export licensing is a real challenge due to the many institutions involved, which contributes to inefficiency in issuing licenses. This report presents and analyses the survey results, including trade policy implications for Malawi. It also outlines the recommendations established in a public-private dialogue on the survey results.

Publication date: 10 January 2013

Language: English

Summary: A recent ITC survey of 960 Peruvian companies shows that 40% face challenges related to non-tariff measures, mostly in their major export markets in the USA, the EU and some countries in Latin America. This report outlines survey results and policy options discussed at a national roundtable in Peru in February 2012. While Peru's exports doubled in five years, resources of specialized technical agencies have not increased accordingly. Certification and inspection have thus become a bottleneck. Information systems about NTMs need strengthening, as many issues faced particularly by small and medium-sized firms emerged from their lack of knowledge about regulations. 

Publication date: 19 July 2012

Language: English

Summary: This report outlines trade barriers faced by firms in Morocco, based on an ITC study. Companies are particularly concerned about partner's technical regulations (SPS), including the lack of infrastructure and cumbersome procedures, as well as national inspection requirements. The study serves as a basis to help develop public policy to address the issues raised by these firms.

Publication date: 23 May 2012

Language: French

Summary: This report outlines trade barriers faced by firms in Burkina Faso, based on an ITC study. Companies are particularly concerned about SPS issues, including the cost of information, lack of infrastructure and cumbersome procedures. The study serves as a basis to help develop public policy to address the issues raised by these firms.

Publication date: 31 January 2012

Language: French

Summary: This report presents results of an ITC survey of over 500 businesses in Sri Lanka on their views regarding non-tariff measures and a national workshop to discuss the results. Enterprises in Sri Lanka report difficulties with a broad range of measures, in particular with technical testing, inspection and certification, which are required to demonstrate conformity with sanitary and phytosanitary measures. They must cope with a lack of trade-related infrastructure and burdensome procedural requirements. Strikingly, the problems lie on both sides of the border - in partner counties and in Sri Lanka itself - limiting the competitiveness of enterprises, especially smaller ones, and their ability to integrate into the global economy and maximize the benefits of international trade.

Publication date: 13 December 2011

Language: English

Summary: Paper focusing on specific non-tariff measures (NTMs) that could negatively affect the affordability and accessibility of anti-malarial commodities - introduces non-tariff measures and other obstacles to trade; present the results of a business-perception survey, conducted by ITC, on NTMs faced by importers and exporters of anti-malarial commodities (medicines for treating/preventing of malaria, diagnostic tests, mosquito nets, insecticides for indoor residual spraying, and pumps for spraying indoor insecticides).

Publication date: 28 June 2011

Language: English