In the eyes of the world, the Cancun Trade Ministerial Meeting will act as a litmus test of the major industrial countries' commitment to inclusive globalisation, to meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and to a stable and peaceful world. Increased trade opportunities provide the best means of placing poor countries on a higher trajectory of growth and poverty reduction. The current system does not work for many developing countries and imposes burdens on the consumers of the developed world. The launching of the Doha Round gave a boost to the multilateral trading system. The...

Taxation is a significant factor in determining the global distribution of economic activity, particularly in the financial services sector, one of the most rapidly growing components of the global economy. The participation of small and developing countries in this sector depends on creating a 'level playing field' between rich countries on the one hand, and small and developing countries on the other. It also requires mechanisms for removing the present and potential future discrimination against small and developing countries in this sector. Stoll-Davey analyses recent debates between the...

This "Economic Paper" considers the likely effects on African, Caribbean and Pacific countries of the European Union s Directive on Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing, planned to be implemented from 2010.It will be difficult for developing countries to meet the requirements of the directive at time when many aspects of globalization are supportive of IUU fishing. The authors argue that even though measures to combat IUU fishing are welcome, developing countries will require comprehensive technical and financial resources to effectively implement this directive, otherwise a...

As developing countries have started to open up their economies, concern about competitiveness has spread to their policy makers. Their relative competitiveness as production and investment sites has become a prime focus of development policy. They are, moreover, faced with a world in which the main determinants of competitiveness are changing rapidly. Competition has intensified because of rapidly falling transport and communications costs, and the performance of economies, industries and firms is constantly compared and benchmarked across nations. So are determinants of...

This report on the CARIFORUM and Pacific ACP Economic Partnership Agreements analyses the detailed implications for the economies of the countries involved of commitments signed or initialled, including an indication of the broad country and region-wide effects. The two agreements cover general provisions related to trade in goods and, in the case of CARIFORUM, an agreement on services as well as coverage on other trade-related issues. The authors argue that, partly because they are so complex, the agreements are likely to have far-reaching implications for all countries involved, but that...

The Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the ECOWAS states of West Africa envisages co-operation between the two sides with the aim of enhancing investment and private sector development in the ECOWAS region. This study explores the options available to ECOWAS states for promoting, protecting and guaranteeing flows of domestic and foreign direct investment, in the context of the ACP-EU Economic Partnership Agreements, so that development gains are realised in these economies.

This is the first study to look at the trade effects of the current global slowdown on small states. Export industries in these countries have been affected at least as much as those of other developing countries. Given their reliance on trade, this means that the overall economic impact on small states may be greater than for other developing countries, all the more so for those countries exporting minerals and fuels, and luxury goods and services, such as beef and tourism.The authors suggest a number of policy responses for governments of small states which may help to address the issues...

Small states are vulnerable to the effects of the global financial crisis because of their high dependence on foreign direct investment, the importance for them of export earnings, and high levels of remittances and aid flows. The crisis thus also in turn affects investment and private sector development. This Economic Paper examines the effects of the crisis on three countries: Mauritius, St Lucia and Vanuatu. Only Vanuatu is relatively resilient so far, with the effects on investment in Mauritius and St Lucia being dramatic, though affecting different sectors in each country. The policy...

This "Economic Paper" assesses the potential trade effects of rules on procurement policies in Commonwealth ACP countries. It provides a practical guide for policy-makers and negotiators to determine theimpact of government procurement rules and policies taken at the national level or negotiated in trade agreements.

This Economic Paper assesses new innovative measures in trade in service negotiations that reflect the vulnerabilities and challenges faced by developing countries. It outlines the approaches that can help small and low-income countries employ the Special and Differential Treatment Arrangements provided under the WTO GATS in a manner that is practical and supportive of their economic development.