Training Programme on “Effective Design of Trade and Private Sector Development Support”

The Project at A Glance

For many developing and emerging economies, the EU is not only a key trade partner but also an important actor in supporting their efforts to foster private sector development and better integration into world trade. EU Member States undertook a number of commitments to improve the effectiveness of EU Aid for Trade, including continuous improvement of the quality and effectiveness of its external assistance in the field of TRA and PSD. Thus, DG DEVCO organizes the training programme “Effective Design and Management of Trade & Private Sector Development (TPSD) Assistance”, International Economics, through our CEO, was in charge of delivering the training in 2013.

What We Found

Trade and private sector development are widely recognized to be one of the key drivers for poverty reduction. In view of the increasing importance of trade-related assistance and private sector development, and the complexity of the issues involved, the European Commission highlighted the need to reinforce internal human resource capacity, to identify, design, monitor and assess the impact of the interventions in these fields. The aim of this workshop was to bring participants up to date with the latest developments in the field of trade and private sector development programmes. The workshops provided an opportunity to discuss the EC strategy in the different topics covered by the workshop and share the views in the field and get feedback on policies. Since workshops were held in Brussels, Senegal and Nicaragua, participants came from those continents and further afield (such as Cambodia and Fiji).

Our Strategy and Impact

The workshop included presentations of state of the art methodologies and approaches to design and implement TPSD programmes, by gathering evidence from experts in the field. These were achieved through a blend of different external speakers – from other donor organisations, from regional secretariats, different units and directorates in the European Commission, and a consultant experienced in the field, including our CEO. The first day provided the overall policy context for TPSD programmes (including EU market access rules and the commitments made under the Aid for Trade initiative); the following three days provided an overview of the key areas of intervention for TPSD programmes, typically including quality infrastructure/SPS/TBT, Access to Finance, Business Development Services, Business Enabling Environment and Trade Facilitation.

Our Core Solutions

As businesses seek to expand operations into new markets, the need to explore global supply chains and understand the international regulatory framework becomes crucial. At International Economics Consulting, we build tailor-made strategies for both import and export-oriented business solutions.