Strengthening the capacity of LDCs to formulate policies on trade diversification for resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and implementation of the Doha Programme of Action through South-South cooperation and multi-stakeholder partnerships
Reference
PDF-SDG-2022-06
Implementing Entity/ies
UN-OHRLLS, ITC
Collaborating Partners
RCOs of participating LDCs, ECA, ESCAP, National governments, Chamber of Commerce and sector associations, Ministry of Commerce of China, Southern Voice, Third World Network
Duration
May 2023 每 April 2026
Location
Bangladesh, Rwanda, Uganda
Approved Budget
$ 1,077,624
Description
Least developed countries (LDCs) face multiple structural challenges. Overall, LDCs are marginal players, representing only 1.05% of global exports while accounting for 13% of the world population. Among the broad array of development constraints, lack of export diversification and ability to integrate into the regional and global value chains have been chronic and has led to high levels of vulnerability to commodity price volatility and other exogenous shocks. In particular, the COVID-19 pandemic had a disproportionate impact on LDCs.
Through a combination of rigorous research and capacity building tailored to national conditions of participating LDCs, the project aims to increase the capacity of policymakers in three LDCs to formulate and implement effective strategies to diversify exports and integrate into global value chains. Specifically, a comprehensive review of policy instruments and trade datasets over the past decade will be conducted to understand past bottlenecks, identify opportunities for trade diversification, and develop actionable recommendations that will direct efforts to build the capacity of national stakeholders to unlock and further develop the existing potential. The research finding will form the basis of country-level capacity building workshops and global meeting to disseminate knowledge and promote experience sharing among LDCs in trade diversification and forge partnerships to promote effective integration of LDCs into the global trading system.
Through a combination of rigorous research and capacity building tailored to national conditions of participating LDCs, the project aims to increase the capacity of policymakers in three LDCs to formulate and implement effective strategies to diversify exports and integrate into global value chains. Specifically, a comprehensive review of policy instruments and trade datasets over the past decade will be conducted to understand past bottlenecks, identify opportunities for trade diversification, and develop actionable recommendations that will direct efforts to build the capacity of national stakeholders to unlock and further develop the existing potential. The research finding will form the basis of country-level capacity building workshops and global meeting to disseminate knowledge and promote experience sharing among LDCs in trade diversification and forge partnerships to promote effective integration of LDCs into the global trading system.