Influencing and changing trade policies to improve international competitiveness  and export performance is a partnership process involving close collaboration between the experts and government. Our approach depends upon the beneficiary government's needs and ranges from simple identification and changes to problem policies to preparation of a full national trade policy.

The environment within which a country trades is governed by the Multi-lateral trading system. Governments must effectively engage with the WTO in order to fully integrate into the global economy. We have provided advice to governments on accession to the WTO, compliance with WTO obligations, exercising rights at WTO and negotiating new agreements.

Better understanding of the constraints to trade and effect of policy is essential to allow Governments, donors and trade sector support institutions make informed choices. We use a range of economic tools including surveys, statistical analysis, econometric models, competitiveness studies and qualitative analysis to support trade negotiations, identify projects and evaluate effectiveness of trade policies.

Policies at an international and national level provide the framework within which trade must take place but it is exporters who export. We can support export development through technical assistance to business support agencies or direct support to companies undertaking export training, market identification, market research, export capacity audits, preparation of marketing strategies, developing marketing systems and marketing support.