Supporting the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Trade Mainstreaming Agenda

The Project at A Glance

The Pacific Aid for Trade Strategy (AfT) places great emphasis on the need to support Pacific ACP States’ (PACPS) Trade Policy Frameworks (TPF) and their broader strategies on trade mainstreaming. The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) in partnership with the Commonwealth Secretariat-Hubs and Spokes Program has supported PACPS to formulate National Trade Policy Frameworks (NTPFs). These documents evaluate internal and external constraints on a country’s integration into the world economy and recommend actions suitable to address those constraints. TPFs provide invaluable support to coordinate PACPS’ efforts to increase trade; guide donors in designing their AfT interventions and helps Pacific Island Countries governments to mainstream AfT into national development frameworks.

This project was part of the Trade Com II Programme, and International Economics, in consortium with Cardno Emerging Markets Belgium, supported the PIFS’ trade mainstreaming agenda of the PACPS through the effective use of the National Trade Policy Frameworks at the regional level. At the national level, the project aimed to support the Government of Niue to implement its National TPF.

What We Found

The aim of the project was to elaborate regional guidelines on trade mainstreaming and to enhance the capacities of trade experts and national institutional structures to implement the NTPFs. The team at International Economics also drafted practical actions plans to implement the NTPF’s recommendations and provided assistance to Niue for strengthening the country’s institutions for trade governance and elaborating key-reforms of customs-related legislation and regulations.

Our Strategy and Impact

The team at International Economics used a mixed methodology including desk research, focused interviews, legal and regulatory gap-assessment and needs assessment to implement the project. A manual for PIFS and Member States on how to reinvigorate the National Trade Committees for effective implementation of the NTPFs was also produced. Furthermore, the team led a three-day regional training and consultation workshop for disseminating the results and outcomes of the project.

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 Consulting’s 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.