Investing in Skills for Inclusive Trade

Investing in Skills for Inclusive Trade
Author: Marc Bacchetta
Publisher: World Trade Organization
Total Pages: 196
Release: 2017
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN:

In recent decades, the global economy has experienced a profound transformation due to trade integration and technological progress as well as important political changes. This transformation has been accompanied by significant positive effects at the global level, as increased trade integration has helped to raise incomes in advanced and developing economies, lifting millions out of poverty. At the same time, it has translated into changes experienced by individuals, companies and communities. While overall, better job opportunities are on the rise, workers who are forced to leave their existing jobs may find it difficult to share in these improvements. Policies aimed at facilitating adjustment can reduce the number of those left behind by trade or technology, while at the same time raising the net gains from these developments, improving overall efficiency and boosting incomes. Given the role of skills in productivity and in trade performance as well as in access to employment and wage distribution, a strong emphasis on skills development is vital for both firms and workers. This publication argues that in the current fast-changing context of globalization, where technology and trade relations evolve rapidly, the responsiveness of skills supply to demand plays a central role not only from an efficiency perspective, but also from a distributional perspective. Featuring results from the ILO's Skills for Trade and Economic Diversification (STED) programme, this report shows that appropriate skills development policies are key to helping firms participate in trade, and also to helping workers find good jobs.

Measuring Progress towards Inclusive and Sustainable Growth in Japan

Measuring Progress towards Inclusive and Sustainable Growth in Japan
Author: OECD
Publisher: OECD Publishing
Total Pages: 128
Release: 2023-04-24
Genre:
ISBN: 9264658718

The report Measuring Progress towards Inclusive and Sustainable Growth in Japan is the outcome of a collaboration with the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry which aims to monitor progress in key areas crucial to realising the Japanese government’s vision for a “New Form of Capitalism”.

Inclusive Trade in Africa

Inclusive Trade in Africa
Author: David Luke
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 234
Release: 2019-04-01
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 0429684754

Providing the first book-length analysis of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), this volume asks how can it be ensured that the AfCFTA is effectively implemented to deliver inclusive trade in Africa. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will cover an African market of 1.2 billion people and GDP of over $2.5 trillion, across all 55 member States of the African Union. Yet, trade policy increasingly appreciates that free trade is not enough; trade must also be inclusive to deliver developmental benefits. With contributions from leading trade policy authors across Africa and beyond, this book offers insights into the development and implementation of the AfCFTA and serves as a reference for stakeholders interested in trade in Africa more broadly. The contributors assess what important lessons can be drawn from the experiences of regional integration in and beyond Africa, including from success stories like ASEAN as well as from failures like the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas. An important new work for researchers and policymakers focusing on African trade and economic policy, and trade policy more generally.

Towards Inclusive Trade

Towards Inclusive Trade
Author: Scott Andersen
Publisher:
Total Pages: 16
Release: 2016
Genre:
ISBN:

Sub-Saharan Africa's greatest current comparative advantage lies in its agricultural sector. Most of this agricultural production takes place through emerging agricultural enterprises (EAEs) - i.e., fast growing small and medium-sized enterprises. While some EAEs engage in intra-Africa trade, few have managed to sell their various agricultural products in high-value markets, like the European Union or the United States. To help EAEs grow within their own markets and compete in overseas markets, Sidley Austin LLP established in 2012, the Sidley Emerging Enterprises Pro Bono Program. Participants have gained deep understanding of practical trade barriers impeding EAEs' trade. But factors only tangentially related to trade law also constitute key impediments to African exports to high-value markets: for instance, governments' lack of a functioning Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) or Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) regulatory framework, EAEs' inability to comply with higher quality standards in high-value markets, and problems related to negotiation and enforcement of contracts. This paper discusses some of the main market access barriers encountered by Sidley's clients, and practical ways to address these barriers, including through the principles, tools and resources made available by the WTO. It provides a brief overview of the different types of import requirements EAEs must comply with in order to access high-value markets, including tariffs and NTMs such as SPS and TBT requirements. It then highlights ways in which an enterprise can best take advantage of high-value agricultural markets. Finally, it discusses how Sub-Saharan African governments can further facilitate EAEs' ability to bring their products into compliance with food safety and quality standards in high-value markets.

Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Report 2013

Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Report 2013
Author: United Nations
Publisher: United Nations Publications
Total Pages: 214
Release: 2014-03-15
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9789211206661

"The Report comprises two parts. In the first part, there is a focus on trends and developments in trade in merchandise and commercial services, foreign direct investment flows, performance in trade facilitation, and reliance on preferential policies and trade agreements from an Asia-Pacific perspective. The second part of the Report contains an analysis of various issues related to enhancing the contribution of trade and investment to inclusive development and thus ensuring job creation, poverty reduction and economic engagement of marginalized groups, including women." -- UNESCAP website.