World Export Development Forum Explores Trade Opportunities Between High Growth Markets (en)

Slowing or negative growth in mature, wealthy economies is encouraging businesses and policymakers in developing countries to pursue trade opportunities in high growth emerging markets. While the shift in focus has already begun, many unexploited opportunities remain in inter-regional and intra-regional trade. Trade between regions of the global South will be the focus of the International Trade Centre’s (ITC) World Export Development Forum (WEDF), “Linking Growth Markets: New Dynamics in Global Trade,” which is taking place 15-17 October in Jakarta, Indonesia.

“Growth in traditional export markets is at a virtual standstill, so developing countries must diversify their export markets and seize trade opportunities in their own regions and with other emerging regions, where growth is more robust,” said Patricia Francis, ITC’s Executive Director. “The courage to diversify export markets requires countries in the global South to take a leadership role, and it is ITC’s goal to equip them with key learnings at WEDF.”

ITC’s annual flagship event, WEDF will convene the world’s leading trade experts, policymakers and business leaders to identify export opportunities for emerging markets, trade-enhancing infrastructure improvements, supply chain innovations and ways to meet the demands of new consumer markets.

Interactions, discussions and knowledge exchange will help developing country decision-makers make a virtue out of necessity in the current economic climate through best practices in diversifying exports and export markets. In particular, WEDF will showcase ways for trade leaders to leverage export market opportunities, and decrease developing countries’ dependence on commodity exports.

Speakers at the 13th edition of WEDF include:

• H.E. Mr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, President of the Republic of Indonesia
• H.E. Mr. Gita Irawan Wirjawan, Minister of Trade, Republic of Indonesia
• H.E. Mr. Tim Groser, Minister of Trade, New Zealand
• H.E. Mr. Dagobert Banzio, Minister of Commerce, Côte d’Ivoire
• H.E. Dr. Rob Davies, Minister of Trade and Industry, South Africa
• Mr. Pascal Lamy, Director-General, World Trade Organization
• Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi, Secretary-General, UNCTAD

In addition, H.E. Mr. Hatta Rajasa, Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs, Indonesia, will highlight Indonesia’s plan for connectivity and the country’s MP3EI project.

Interactive workshops during the event will discuss various topics related to infrastructure investment and trade facilitation, commodities, and local value addition.

The conference programme can be viewed here.

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