Making Trade Work for Development: Canada’s Expert Deployment Mechanism (EDM) Experience

The Project at A Glance

The Expert Deployment Mechanism for Trade and Development (EDM) was a flagship initiative of the Global Affairs Canada (GAC) that operationalised the trade–development nexus. As the EDM approached completion, International Economics developed this Policy Paper on “Putting Trade and Development Objectives into Practice: Lessons Learned and Policy Implications from Canada’s Expert Deployment Mechanism for Trade and Development (EDM)”.

The project was part of the EDM programme, funded by GAC and implemented by Cowater International.

What We Found

The EDM programme was a seven-year (2018–2026) initiative helping ODA-eligible countries enhance the development impact of trade and investment. Through demand-driven technical assistance and capacity building, EDM supported governments, private sector actors, and civil society in negotiating, implementing, and benefiting from trade and investment agreements with Canada. Operated in eight countries and across ASEAN’s ODA-eligible members, EDM focused on three pillars – trade negotiations, agreement implementation, and adaptation to trade agreements – while integrating Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP) priorities on gender equality, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability.

Our Strategy and Impact

EDM’s work spanned trade policy, facilitation, SME development, and trade-related training, aligning with FIAP and inclusive trade priorities. By March 2024, EDM had delivered over 100 targeted technical assistance interventions across Latin America and Southeast Asia, strengthening trade negotiation skills for over 1,000 government officials (58% women) and improving export readiness for 161 SMEs. The programme also mainstreamed gender equality and environmental considerations into trade negotiations.

As the programme concluded, International Economics developed the policy paper examining how Canada’s EDM programme has supported the practical implementation of Canada’s trade-related international development objectives. Using selected EDM projects as case studies, the paper identified key lessons learned and policy implications concerning the role of development assistance in advancing Canada’s trade and development nexus, trade negotiation and diversification efforts, gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), and environmental sustainability goals. The findings were shared at a two-hour hybrid event organised by EDM and GAC to inform and engage policymakers, practitioners, and other relevant stakeholders.

Our Core Solutions

Governments, international donors, and the private sector face many important questions on the expected outputs and impact before, during and after the implementation of their projects. This is where International Economics’ team of experts, using innovative methodologies to collect and analyse data, can assist you in tracking the economic, social, and environmental aspects of your project.

Applying our analysis and research knowledge, we help our clients maximise efficiency and improve their development objectives. Through the lessons learnt and the feedback mechanisms we implement in our monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) processes, we support institutional strengthening and the re-alignment of resources to ensure the sustainability and maximum impact of projects, helping our clients make well-informed strategic decisions.