RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS: WORKING PAPERS

The Role of Trade-Led Economic Growth in Fostering Development: Lessons for the Post-2015 Development Agenda

The United Nations' post-2015 development agenda is taking shape. Like its predecessor the Millennium Development Goals, the post-2015 agenda will reshape development policy priorities for governments and non-governmental actors alike, in many cases galvanising new attention, thinking, and financing to tackle the priorities it identifies.

This essay reviews the historical and ongoing role played by trade in sustained high growth and human development progress, and makes the case that the post-2015 development agenda should include considerations related to trade rules and supply-side capacity. Given the strong links between trade-led growth, economic upgrading, and poverty reduction, the paper argues that trade led economic growth must be prioritised in the post-2015 development agenda.

 

No: ERSD-2014-10

Authors: Shishir Priyadarshi and Trineesh Biswas, WTO Secretariat

Manuscript date: July 2014

Key Words:

UN, Millennium Development Goals, Post-2015 Development Agenda, GATT WTO, trade, growth, development.

JEL classification numbers:

O1, O4, N4

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Disclaimer 

This is a working paper, and hence it represents research in progress. The opinions expressed in this paper are those of its authors. They are not intended to represent the positions or opinions of the WTO or its members and are without prejudice to members' rights and obligations under the WTO. Any errors are attributable to the authors.

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