We believe that trade and the private sector are two principal agents for development. However, there has been a growing attention given to the relationship between the trading rules and development, recognising that changes in the international trading system have significant costs alongside the potential benefits for developing countries.

Governments and international agencies adopt a variety of measures and programmes to stimulate domestic and international trade and finance, private sector initiative and SMEs in rural and urban areas. Many emerging markets are embracing the opportunities presented by globalisation and are participating in international economic agreements at WTO, regional and bilateral levels. Meanwhile, transitional support is often required for sectors under threat from greater competition, e.g. in the banana or sugar sectors. Our role is to advise on policies, institutions, laws, taxes and regulations that will assist developing countries use trade to promote development and encourage enterprise growth, and to manage programmes that stimulate and strengthen these aspects of their economies.