Areas of Expertise

We identify best practices in the space of trade reforms and trade implications for investment linkages. We also incorporate crosscutting issues of gender into trade activities. By identifying barriers to trade for Indo-Pacific economies, we also bring attention to the significance of leveling the trade landscape.

FSSC II assignments strengthened and expanded access to markets and trade by providing oversight of private sector activities, designing activities to leverage free trade agreements, and conducting analytical work on SMEs and market competitiveness. 

IDG focused on capacity building to overcome barriers to trade in Ukraine using international trade tools. Through training sessions and analysis, IDG offered recommendations for public, private, and academic stakeholders in the areas of WTO compliance, EU integration, including anti-dumping trade remedies, DCFTA, EU Association Agreement alignment, e-commerce harmonization, and effective use of regional trade corridors.

Designed a project for strengthening trade negotiating capacity

The purpose of this activity was also to improve the trade policy regime but also to strengthen trade facilitation so that firms in Somaliland are better able to conduct trade with firms and consumers throughout East Africa and beyond.

IDG conducted a review of its trade negotiations management strategy, including the country’s participation within the WTO and multilateral trading system, agriculture markets, eligible preferential agreements, and regional integration. IDG identified and prioritized Lesotho’s short, medium and longer-term requirements for technical, legal and logistical support for trade negotiations. IDG developed a Concept Note for a larger-scale TAF project or series of TAF projects providing possible tailored advice, training, research analysis and logistical support for the purposes of improved participation in and outcomes from specific trade negotiations.

IDG assessed how reducing duties on ICT products and applying the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Information Technology Agreement (ITA) would contribute to the development of the ICT sector in Sri Lanka and the country’s overall growth and development. Specifically, IDG examined Sri Lanka’s import and export structure as per the products listed in the WTO ITA. This included the Customs Import Duties (CID) and other Duties and Charges (para-tariffs) on imports to and exports from Sri Lanka for each Harmonized System (HS) Code associated with the WTO ITA. The study also analyzed the changes to Government revenue if Sri Lanka decides to remove CIDs and para-tariffs as per the WTO ITA.

IDG is providing comprehensive capacity building support to MODSIT, MOJ and SLTDA. The project is providing MODSIT with onsite support as well as technical assistance to support policy analysis and implementation of agreed reforms related to making improvements in the investment climate. IDG also provides support to MODSIT to build capacity to improve its outreach on reforms being implemented. The project is supporting MOJ to implement reforms proposed in the justice sector to improve the functioning of the Commercial High Court and disposition of commercial cases. The project provides onsite support to build capacity of government staff to implement the proposed reforms. IDG is also building capacity of SLTDA One Stop Unit to implement streamlined investment approval processes and to become a real “One Stop Shop” for investment in the tourism sector in Sri Lanka.