Trade and Market Linkages
Expanding through trade and connecting to new markets can transform economies. We unlock the private sector’s potential as an engine for economic growth by providing the technologies and business strategies to export successfully and competitively.
Approach
We provide targeted technical assistance to increase competitiveness of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in emerging and frontier economies. We help enterprises meet industry standards and market requirements, identify opportunities for value addition in global value chains, access new technologies, and advocate for policy reforms that enable trade.
- Through trade shows, buyers’ and trade missions, road shows, and business-to-business networking, we create lasting business relationships between buyers and sellers.
- We advise and mentor clients on product design, quality, pricing and packaging and marketing for target markets.
- We bring together public and private sector players to align policies and regulations with international market standards.
Our Work in Action
In Ethiopia, a combination of services–targeted technical assistance, trade shows, and buyer’s missions—helped nearly 2,000 SMEs take advantage of incentives under the Africa Growth and Opportunities Act.
In Dominican Republic, we strengthen and train growers, processors, and other agriculture businesses in key value chains to meet international safety and quality standards and connect them with regional and international markets.
In Kazakhstan we led robust business development tours for Kazakhstani SMEs across a range of sectors, providing businesses with specific training, strategic meetings and roundtable seminars, and participation in trade shows. We developed a business curriculum with an academic partner in Kazakhstan to help businesses address gaps and improve competitiveness.
