Development of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Knowledge Center and Institutional Capacity Building for Trade Negotiation Secretariat

The Project at A Glance

Cambodia’s Ministry of Commerce (MoC) has received a grant from GIZ to Reform the Trade Training and Research Institute (TTRI) as part of the implementation of the “Enhancing TTRI’s Capability Toward Accreditation and Development of an FTA Knowledge Center and National Committee on Trade Negotiation Secretariat” project. International Economics, through its CEO, is supporting the MoC to develop the FTA Knowledge Center and Institutional Capacity Building for Trade Negotiation Secretariat.

What We Found

Many new officials at the Ministry require new skills and technical expertise to manage day-to-day operation and to operationalize policies and strategies of the MoC. This issue draws attention to understanding about the deficiency of knowledge and skills; preventing anticipated problems (such as shortage of skilled technicians); and capturing officials’ interests in training programs. In this view, a gap analysis or TNA is needed to enable to identify what skill deficiency is to be fixed and customized into a training program.

Our Team will support the MoC in formulating a permanent institutional structure and mechanism for effective coordination of trade negotiations undertaking, as well as get involved in the development of an interactive FTA Knowledge Center in order to maintain institutional memory for future negotiators and to provide detailed information of preferential markets that Cambodia received through trade preferential systems and FTA for trader, businesses and the public.

Our Strategy and Impact

Our Team will formulate a new terms of reference for the establishment of National Trade Negotiation Committee Secretariat and select knowledgeable and experienced officials from GDIT and others to be assigned to the Secretariat. A training plan will be developed to provide additional capacity development needed for the Secretariat. This secretariat will provide expert and administrative support to, and as needed take part as members of, the Committee established for FTA negotiations and other trade negotiations to ensure a centralized and sustainable knowledge base.

Furthermore, IEC will develop a roadmap to guide the establishment of the FTA Knowledge Center, based also on the experience of comparable FTA centers in other countries. This Knowledge Center would consist of a repository of trade policy documents, FTA studies, actual trade negotiation experience as provided by negotiators and trade negotiation experts, possibly in a multimedia format, negotiation documents and data including comparative market access information and other aspects of the FTA.

Our Core Solutions

With the rapid proliferation of trade agreements worldwide, there are new market and investment opportunities for countries to explore. At International Economics Consulting, based on our extensive experience in international trade, we assist our clients by providing a detailed analysis of the key impacts of new trade agreements on their operations and competitiveness through an assessment of tariff, and non-tariff barriers, provisions on rules of origin, customs efficiency, the effectiveness of transport networks, and sustainability provisions, among others.

We can help assess the opportunities in different markets, determine the feasibility and viability of projects, and benchmark the wider ecosystem to support business growth. We also support clients in navigating the policy landscape regarding international trade by establishing robust monitoring and evaluation framework through sophisticated real-time dashboards and reporting systems to ensure the best outcomes.