-
‘Delivering the goods’ on Aid for Trade
Despite emerging more than three years ago at the 2005 WTO Hong Kong Ministerial, on-the-ground implementation of the “Aid for Trade” (AfT) initiative has proved complicated so far. While there has been progress in agreeing definitions of AfT categories and increased monitoring of donors, ACP countries routinely point out that they have yet to see…
-
Editorial
During the G20 London Summit on 2 April, world leaders pledged to support developing countries in their efforts to combat the negative effects the economic crisis is having on these vulnerable populations, many of which are in the ACP. Now that the meeting has concluded, many are asking, what now? This May issue of Trade…
-
News and publications
The European Commission swiftly follows up on G20 commitments Shortly following the conclusion of the G20 London Summit, the European Commission outlined a range of actions that the EU will take to support developing countries combat negative effects of the economic crisis. The European Commission is the first of the twenty nations that form the…
-
Was the G20 London Summit a success?
Whether to view the G20 London Summit as a success or as a disappointment is very much a function of one’s point of reference. (1) Viewed against the needs of the moment—a global economic crisis without parallel since the Great Depression—it could be argued that the Summit did not go far enough. The fact is…
-
The financial crisis and Africa
The G20 London Summit is over and the verdict is out. So, what is in it for Africa? While there are some really good promises on aid and finance, now we need to wait and see whether and how the USD 50 billion earmarked for low-income developing countries (1) will actually flowto those who need…
-
Dealing with global governance deficits and the MDGs
Since the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were agreed in 2000, many developing countries have made great strides. The world was on track to achieve at least the first Millennium Goal of halving the number of extreme poor, and it was coming close to reaching several other objectives as well. But the present crisis is wiping…
-
EPA Provisions may impact the ability of some developing countries to respond to the crisis
The global financial— and now economic— crisis is having serious impacts on developing countries. (1) These countries are experiencing decreasing government income due to declining commodity-related tax revenue, (2) crowding out of developing country sovereign debt issuers, (3) and pro-cyclical aid. Unfortunately, this is occurring at a time when increased government revenue is required for…
-
EPAs and natural resources
EPAs are a special type of trade agreement, unlike other Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) that the European Union has negotiated throughout recent years. Despite all the suspicions and accusations floated on this subject, the Commission did not set itself any offensive interest in EPA negotiations. It is a fact that there is a worldwide ‘gold…
-
WTO Roundup
G20 leaders boost trade finance, resist protectionism In the face of the steepest drop in world trade in 60 years, leaders from the Group of 20 economic (G20) powers agreed in early April to provide funding for USD 250 billion worth of international trade flows. The heads of state also reiterated the vow they made…
-
EPA Update
African Union Trade Ministers adopt EPA declaration African Trade Union ministers called on the African group in the World Trade Organization (WTO), in collaboration with other members, to intensify efforts towards appropriately amending Article XXIV of GATT 1994. The intent is to allow for necessary Special and Differential Treatment provisions, as well as the less…
-
Resources
The CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA): The Development Component, Meyn, C. Stevens, J. Kennan, N. Highton, S. Bilal, C. Braun-Munzinger, D. Lui, J. van Seters, C. Campbell and J. Rapley, Study for the European Parliament, March 2009, www.ecdpm.org Regionally Owned Funds - Mechanisms for delivery of EU Aid for Trade in ACP regions?, Corinna Braun-Munzinger, ECDPM…