ISSUE 2/2007

A Peruvian entrepreneur, far from the capital, turns plantain bananas, a low-return commodity, into chips, a high-value export. Finding a training partner in management skills proved the key to moving this Peruvian exporter up the value chain.

From trade policy to project design, listening to the voice of business is the key to making sure that Aid for Trade really boosts exports.

A key to transform economies and meet the Millennium Development Goal to end poverty by 2015 is ensuring that trade becomes part of development policy, with a central role for women and small business.

Competing and selling: Dance with the Dragon"Our industrial investors, we tell them, learn to dance with the Chinese, the Chinese Dragon, because they export so much. You have to face reality." Enrique Mantilla, President of the Argentinean Chamber of Exporters (CERA)

European importers of organic products meet Ugandan exporters and farmers face to face on ITC's Buyers' Tour.

Interview - Sambuu DemberelMeet a long-standing partner at the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Targeting entrepreneurs"Our slogan in the Egyptian Business Women's Association is: financial independence gives you the power of choice and voice. We have a marketing committee that goes to women entrepreneurs to see what products they have and what they need, such as product development, finishing and quality control. We bring them together into sectors - we have a very good sector for garments, textiles and jewellery. And we try to create marketing tools - brochures and CDs - and organize fairs locally, regionally and internationally. If they cannot be present, we make the contacts for them."Amany Asfour, President, Egyptian Business Women's Association

International Trade Forum - Issue 2/2007, © International Trade Centre The latest information about ITC events and projects: ITC's World Export Development Forum European Buyers Meet Organic Farmers in Uganda World Cup 2010: ITC Supports Tourism Development Kick-Off South African Firms Look to Expa

ITC is upgrading its flagship event, the Executive Forum on National Export Strategies, to reflect the leadership position that ITC has achieved in export development and export competitiveness - an area that ITC intends to reinforce and expand.

Romania's national strategy connects regions, towns and villages. The aim is to build a broader base of exporters and a new range of exports that meet demands in new markets, especially in the European Union.

ProMéxico is the new agency for Mexican trade and investment promotion. It will become operational during 2007, as a countrywide agency attached to the Ministry of Economy. Its governing structure foresees representation from federal, state and local government, along with the private sector. Among the federal agencies in the coordinating committee will be ministries of housing, foreign affairs, social development, environment, agriculture, fisheries and tourism.

International Trade Forum - Issue 2/2007, © International Trade Centre Business Guide to Trade Remedies in the United States: Anti-dumping, countervailing and safeguards legislation, practices and procedures 226 pages, revised edition . Guide to trade remedy procedures (anti-dumping, countervailin

In its post-war efforts to revitalize exports, Sierra Leone has set up a new trade promotion authority, the Sierra Leone Investment and Export Promotion Agency.

Reducing intra-regional barriersRecent research by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development shows that the potential benefit from freer South-South trade may indeed be at least as large as the gains that developing countries can obtain from better access to rich countries' markets (North-South trade). Intra-regional trade agreements in Latin America and the Caribbean, such as MERCOSUR or CARICOM, are fostering trade between neighbouring countries. For example, over the last 30 years, internal trade in the Andean common market grew five times faster than trade with outside partners. (Source: Oxfam)

International Trade Forum - Issue 2/2007, © International Trade Centre © Photo Bianco Swaziland's Prime Minister, HE Absalom Themba Dlamini, and officials from Swaziland's Mission to the United Nations Office in Geneva met with ITC's management in May 2007 to discuss ITC's work in the region an

ITC's roadmap for the future emerged during the most recent meeting of its Joint Advisory Group, held in April this year. The aim is to move ITC from having strong products to delivering strategic solutions for its clients. Products and programmes are being reorganized to provide comprehensive solutions to clients. ITC aims to work in partnership with a range of agencies, addressing issues of poverty, ethical markets and social responsibility. Coherence among development providers at country level is critical. ITC will take a more integrated approach to designing and delivering assistance, through strategic partnerships.

International Trade Forum - Issue 2/2007, © International Trade Centre Jamaican Prime Minister at ITC Swaziland's Prime Minister Visits ITC Related articles: ITC News From ITC Trade Support Network From ITC Trade Support Network The New ITC: Responding to what countries and clients

Poor communities can benefit from the opportunity to trade with richer markets. This collection profiles sectors with povertyreducing potential. It also examines strategic issues such as South-South trade and the roles of women entrepreneurs, big business and international organizations in reducing poverty through trade.

Officials, tourist industry leaders and community organizations from South Africa's Eastern Cape province met in Port Elizabeth in June to ensure the region uses the 2010 FIFA World Cup to create a solid basis for reducing poverty, through a lasting boom in tourism.