ISSUE 1/2006

In 2006, ITC's Executive Forum is working with its network to organize its annual global debate on strategic approaches to enhance competitiveness and export performance.

The challenge to building business advocacy is to develop business-government dialogue, but also to bring in small firms, the informal sector and other parts of society.

It's not all plain sailing, but the WTO system can be made to work for everyone, say four new books.

We need to address the "double face" of globalization and work towards sustainable economic and social development for all people.

© International Trade Centre, International Trade Forum - Issue 1/2006 © Bianco ITC's annual meeting in 2005. ITC holds its annual meeting, the Joint Advisory Group, from 24 to 28 April 2006. Special presentations this year will focus on the link between trade and poverty reduction - see ITC's l

Sixteen African countries relate their experiences during the WTO Hong Kong Ministerial meeting.

The multilateral trading system is the surest way to build up the global production systems from which more countries and firms can benefit.

Get Connected: E-applications in the textile and clothing sector166 pages. Study focusing on how developing country producers could successfully apply new e-applications and secure post-quota exports in light of the changing nature of textile and clothing business after January 2005 (when quotas were phased out). Elaborates principles to guide exporters in adopting e-applications so as to develop fruitful long-term relationships with major buyers; deals with e-applications in the European Union and the United States; presents examples of exporters in developing countries that have successfully found approaches to integrate their systems with those of customers/suppliers; includes case studies from Hong Kong (China) buying, sourcing and trading offices, and e-applications used by Singapore trading houses and manufacturers.To order online, visit ITC's e-shop at http://www.intracen.org/eshop

Inside stories, training resources and the background to some hands-on projects. At regular intervals during the year, one or more ITC newsletters appear online, in print or both. They all focus on trade-related technical assistance (TRTA): sometimes, they are a news resource, reporting on TRTA project events, progress and developments; at other times, they are an integral project resource, with news, information and case studies.

Developing countries can use ITC's Market Access Map to analyse market access conditions for the Doha round of trade talks.

© International Trade Centre, International Trade Forum - Issue 1/2006 © Photodisc A new balance of voices is emerging in advocacy for trade. In the area of trade policy, it ranges from small business coalitions to non-governmental organizations (NGOs), media, international agencies, academics,

The articles below are available from the Trade Forum web site at http://www.tradeforum.org

ITC Programmes on Trade Talks While most of ITC's work focuses on helping nations improve their ability to supply goods and services that are competitive in world markets, these programmes are designed specifically to help countries strengthen their national negotiating positions for WTO trade talks: