Many emphasized the importance of practical assistance to
develop trade and of building links between players in today's
complex trade environment. Helping least developed countries (LDCs)
especially to build the capacity to supply international markets
and reverse a trend of marginalization was at the forefront of
delegates' concerns.
Linking market access and supply
Many LDCs spoke of the difficulty in adjusting to the "erosion of
preferences" and the move towards liberalization without having
competitive export structures in place for goods and services.
"Market access is essential, but it's not enough," noted J. Denis
Bélisle, ITC's Executive Director. "To make trade work for the
poor, countries need to concentrate on their capacity to supply
world markets."
Dr Supachai Panitchpakdi, Director-General of WTO, appreciated
"ITC's initiatives to inform and educate business communities in
developing countries and encourage them to engage in WTO
processes". Representing the head of UNCTAD, Victor Busuttil,
Director of UNCTAD's Division of Management, emphasized ITC's
"trade for development" contribution to building supply-side
capacities, its role in poverty reduction and its work towards
fulfilling the Millennium Development Goals. ITC's close and
complementary partnership with these two organizations has shaped
its unique and pragmatic focus.
The Korean Trade and Investment Promotion Agency, the "best of the
best" winner of the first global awards for trade promotion
organizations (TPOs), also addressed the group, outlining the
positive role of TPOs in economic development.
ITC's work in poverty reduction, services exporting, national
export strategy development, public-private partnerships, textiles
and clothing, market analysis, South-South trade, e-trade and
sensitization about WTO issues were among the areas of interest in
trade development that were most frequently singled out at the
meeting, which was chaired by Ambassador Sarala Fernando of Sri
Lanka.
Among new approaches to incorporate in ITC's work in Africa are its
response to the Blair Commission for Africa report and new
strategies for promising export areas for LDCs, such as cultural
exports, eco-tourism and other environmental exports.
Noting how delivery increased by 82% over four years,
representatives encouraged ITC in its current "managed growth"
strategy, to ensure that both countries and ITC would develop the
capacities to sustain and absorb growth. Some representatives
remarked on the United Nations (UN) Office of Internal Oversight
Services inspection report on ITC, with its suggestion that ITC
might be a model for other UN bodies.
Focus on Doha, Hong Kong and beyond
How should the business sector organize itself to assist its
negotiators at the WTO Hong Kong Ministerial Conference? How can
ITC best help businesses to compete, whatever the outcome of Hong
Kong? These were some of the questions that ambassadors and
government and business leaders from the developing world addressed
at a special mid-week session.
Getting the right market information and creating a culture for
business-government dialogue can make a real difference in helping
developing country negotiators prepare for WTO meetings, noted
delegates and speakers.
Among the practical examples debated, the Mauritian Ambassador,
S.B.C. Servansing, told the group how Mauritius used ITC's
sophisticated market analysis tools to analyse its "vulnerability
to preference erosion". The collaboration led to a "vulnerability
index" based on a new methodology that identified products and
markets most vulnerable to change. Calling it "contagious", he
noted that the index is now used in his country's multilateral
negotiations and has been extended to other African, Caribbean and
Pacific (ACP) countries with preferential access to European Union
and United States markets. It culminated in an official ACP
submission to the WTO group on market access, where it was well
received for its pragmatism.
A speaker from Uganda emphasized the new attention being paid to
the role of trade in his country, which now accounts for a third of
the economy. Uganda's Government is nearly tripling the resources
it devotes to trade development in the next year. Part of the
success behind this new sensitization has been the country's
inter-institutional committee in place since 1998, supported by
UNCTAD, WTO and ITC. The committee has become a forum not just for
WTO issues, but also for a wide range of trade issues, such as
reviews of domestic policies with an impact on trade.
Participants from Argentina, Bulgaria, Pakistan and other countries
cited similar trends in setting up mechanisms to help business
understand the impact of WTO rules and work with governments in
developing negotiating positions, thanks to ITC's business advocacy
programmes.
Often, the challenges to the business community begin after
negotiations are over. With new rules in place, businesses must
adjust their response to be competitive. The end of quotas in the
textiles and clothing industry is a case in point. Countries as
diverse as Bangladesh, El Salvador, Indonesia, Mauritius, Pakistan
and Sri Lanka mentioned concerns about the threat to
livelihoods.
A.S.M. Quasem, head of Newage Group, a major garment producer in
Bangladesh, told the group, "You will see many small textiles and
clothing-producing countries wiped off the map unless something is
done." Building regional links, better sourcing and product
development skills, and faster customs clearance and port
procedures are among solutions that can help LDCs develop a
stronger competitive position.
ITC as a bridge
ITC's role as a bridge in helping trade work as a positive force
for development came through at the meeting. Participants cited it
as a bridge between WTO and the business community; a bridge among
TPOs as sustainable players in national trade development; a bridge
between preparing market access negotiations and developing the
ability to supply markets, through public-private
partnerships.
Contributions to ITC
Several governments announced contributions to ITC: Canada, the
People's Republic of China, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Italy,
Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland.
For more information, see ITC's web site,
http://www.intracen.org and look for JAG 2005.