This paper focuses on twenty-first century trade governance patterns within Commonwealth countries. The specific research questions it explores are: first, what is the distinction between the ‘trade governance’ and ‘good governance’ agendas? Second,...

Several econometric techniques with different degrees of sophistication have been used to assess the impact of Aid for Trade (AfT) on trade and other economic performance in recipient countries, especially at the macro level, not all of which have...

The Commonwealth's member countries share unique historical ties, as well as resilient diaspora communities with linguistic and institutional similarities. These links could facilitate co-operation and contribute to increased trade, investment and...

With the ratification of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) in 2016 under the aegis of the World Trade Organization, India has launched a comprehensive agenda for trade facilita­tion reforms to fulfil its legal commitments and improve its global...

The discussion on improving disciplines on fisheries subsidies and making a contribution towards sustainable fishing and managing global fisheries has been ongoing at the World Trade Organization (WTO) since the WTO Doha Ministerial Conference held...

Africa’s tourism GVCs are notable for many features, including the durability of package booking channels, low domestic demand for tourism, the presence of global — rather than regional — lead firms and the corresponding implications for leakages...

In the context of the African Union’s 50-year vision, Agenda 2063, this paper provides an analyti­cal account and critical assessment of Africa’s strategic trade relations with two of its most impor­tant traditional partners, the European Union and...

The scale of the challenge posed by the recent universal adoption of the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in relation to the achievement of economic, social and environmental objectives is formidable. In order to achieve the...

In a dynamic, rapidly liberalising and fiercely competitive international environment, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries see the pooling of their national efforts through the Caribbean Single Market and Economy as a central plank for overcoming...

This paper examines global value chain (GVC) activity in Sub-Saharan Africa, through the lens of newly assembled data on value added trade. It finds that GVC participation is quite weak by world standards. Although there are emerging intra-regional...

This paper examines global value chain (GVC) activity in the Caribbean, through the lens of newly assembled data on value added trade. It finds that GVC participation is quite weak by world standards. Moreover, connections with the large regional...

This paper examines global value chain (GVC) activity in the Pacific, through the lens of newly assembled data on value added trade. It finds that GVC participation is very weak by world standards. Connections with relatively large markets like...

This paper examines the interaction of the international fisheries trade regime, global value chains in tuna and socio-economic development in low-income Commonwealth countries. The first section sketches the long historical relationship between...

The single undertaking negotiating model, whereby consensus agreement must be reached on all issues on an agenda, has led to a stalemate in the Doha Round negotiations. This has led to some WTO members reaching the conclusion, reflected in paragraph...

The final paragraph of the ministerial declaration of the 10th World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference, held in Nairobi, Kenya, created the possibility of bringing so-called ‘new issues’ to the WTO. Whilst the declaration does not...

The paper seeks to identify key issues and priorities for small states in the WTO in relation to advancing the Work Programme on Small Economies (WPSE), of which affirmation was made at the Nairobi Ministerial Conference. The paper provides guidance...

Small island developing states (SIDS) have common economic challenges and are faced with high costs for energy, infrastructure, transportation, trade logistics and public administration. These challenges are increasingly undergirded by new concerns...

This paper asks what implications the agreement to address the challenges of climate change from the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) might have for trade and investment policy in Commonwealth member countries. Whilst trade and investment are...

This paper assesses the export-oriented clothing industry in the five main sub-Saharan African (SSA) clothing exporter countries (Mauritius, Madagascar, Kenya, Lesotho and Swaziland). The focus is on analysing the various characteristics driving firm...

Since the expiry of the ‘peace clause’ at the end of 2003, it has been unclear which obligations under the WTO SCM Agreement apply to subsidies granted to agricultural products. This is in particular important for export subsidies, which are...