Trade and Market Linkages
Fostering international trade has the power to transform economies. No country in the past half century has sustained high economic growth without significantly expanding trade and market linkages.
International trade enhances regional integration and enables countries to leverage their comparative advantages. We unlock the potential of the private sector to be an engine for growth by improving the competitiveness and export capabilities of enterprises around the world.
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.
