AID FOR TRADE: WORKSHOP

Aid for trade, trade costs indices and design and implementation of policies to reduce trade costs
10 February 2017

One key message that emanated from the Fifth Global Review of Aid for Trade in 2015 is that high trade costs inhibit many developing countries from fully exploiting their trade and development potential. This workshop will follow up on this work by reviewing trade cost indices, and by examining how these indices are being integrated into Aid-for-Trade programming. Insights from the workshop will help prepare the 2017 Global Review, themed “Promoting Connectivity”.

> Informal report by the WTO secretariat to the Aid-for-Trade session of the Committee on Trade and Development of 10 February 2017

 

Opening Remarks

H.E. Christopher Onyanga Aparr, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Uganda to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations at Geneva, Chair of the Committee on Trade and Development

 

Session 1: Trade costs indices and their evolution

    “Monitoring and Reducing Trade Costs; Overview of Indices and Issues” — Robert Teh, Chief of Section, Economic Research and Statistics Division, World Trade Organization
    Presentation
    Audio

    “Airline Connectivity” — George Anjapridze, Senior Economist, International Air Transport Association
    Presentation
    Audio

    “Maritime Transport Connectivity” — Jan Hoffmann, Chief, Trade Logistics Branch, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
    Presentation
    Audio

 

Session 2: Using indices for action – the role of Aid for Trade

    “Promoting Connectivity in Africa” — Jean-Guy Afrika, Principal Trade Expert, African Development Bank
    Presentation
    Audio

    “Trade Costs and enabling e-Commerce” — Sean Doherty, Head, International Trade and Investment, World Economic Forum
    Presentation
    Audio

    “ Monitoring and Assessing Impact of Trade Facilitation” — Marie-Agnes Jouanjean, Trade Policy Analyst, Trade and Agriculture Directorate, Organization for Economic Co‐operation and Development
    Presentation
    Audio