Trade
Making trade fair for everyone – including the world’s poorest.
Trade agreements and negotiations
For developing countries to prosper, they need to be able to trade internationally under an open and fair system.
Trade is not currently working for the poor. The world's 49 poorest countries together accounted for 0.4% of world trade in 1999 - half of the level of 1979. One of the biggest problems poorer countries face is barriers to markets in richer countries. The World Bank estimates that eliminating all barriers to trade in goods would generate $350 billion for low and middle income countries.
We are still in the process of several important negotiations both global and regional. Unfortunately, moves to reform global trading rules have been slow. However, we're committed to doing our best to get them back on track.
The World Trade Organisation (WTO) Doha Development Round
The Doha talks began in 2001 and represent for the first time a round of trade talks that aim to put developing country concerns at the heart of negotiations. Although developed countries also stand to benefit, a successful round has the potential to deliver huge welfare gains to developing countries. We believe that developing countries will be the biggest losers if the multilateral trading system is weakened and they are left to negotiate bilateral and regional agreements.
The UK is pushing hard for a deal that would be good for development and for the poorest countries
Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs)
EPAs are new, development friendly, trade agreements recently signed up to by the European Union and 35 African, Pacific and Caribbean countries. We have worked consistently to ensure that these agreements have been negotiated to fully reflect these countries’ needs and concerns and provide development opportunities. These 35 countries now receive duty-free, quota-free access into the EU on all products, and improved Rules of Origin on textiles, clothing and fisheries.
Links
Research4development -Trade
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Fishermen bring their catches to shore in Maputo, Mozambique.
Securing a deal would provide a vital shot in the arm for the global economy - and a lifeline out of poverty for developing nations
Gareth Thomas Minister of State
