2008 Conferences

Overview
Multilateral, Regional and Bilateral Trade Agreements: Emerging Scenarios and Challenges for African and Least-Developed Countries.The trade agreements have become the main vehicle of global economic integration since the last decade of the 20th century. At the centre of this development are the multilateral trade agreements under the World Trade Organization that are being further strengthened and expanded under the on-going Doha Round of trade negotiations. At the same time, the number, participants and coverage of various inter-regional, regional and bilateral trade agreements has been on the increase as well. In fact a larger share of trade flow is taking place under the latter than under multilateral commitments. Moreover, intentions to launch negotiations on further inter-regional, regional and bilateral trade agreements are expressed every month both by developed and developing countries.Trade agreements, whether multilateral, inter-regional, regional or bilateral, are no more about “traditional trade measures (i.e., customs duties and border measures) only. They now cover many issues that are directly linked to domestic policy areas, such as, intellectual property, investment, domestic regulation related to services, competition, public procurement, standards , etc. This presents a clear trade-off, particularly for developing countries, between increasing predictability of market access for their exports and reducing the national policy space to adopt pro-development industrial, technological, fiscal, monetary, and employment policies.

Reports
To download the draft report of the 2nd TRAPCA Annual Conference click here

Presentations
Day 3 Sessions - Ntsi Lebeko
Day 3 Sessions - Koffi Addo
Day 3 Sessions - Elizabeth Tamale

Lead Discussions Panelists - Dr Petine Gappati
Lead Discussions Panelists - Lessie Dore
Lead Discussions Panelists - Ms Nelson Ndirango

Morning Session - Bernard Hoekman
Morning Session - Anthonia Achike

Afternoon Session - Dominique Njinkeu
Afternoon Session - Peter Kiguta

Aid For Trade & Africas Capacity Building Needs - Agu Chukumwa
Aid For Trade & Africas Capacity Building Needs - Annet Blank
Aid For Trade & Africas Capacity Building Needs - David Luff

Opening Ceremony - Prince Masitsela
Opening Ceremony - Prof. Bonard Mwape
Opening Ceremony - Hon Mathendele Dlamini
Opening Ceremony - Prof. Bonard Mwape 02

Related Links
africa yet to benefit from trade talks under wto epa/
intra regional trade an imperative for africa
http://www.nationmw.net/newsdetail.asp?article_id=1069
http://www.observer.org.sz/main.php?id=39550&section=Business
http://www.entrepreneurnewsonline.com/
africa yet to benefit from trade talks