International trade – research and analysis

We undertake policy-oriented research and analysis on international trade and development issues and provide informed inputs into the related discourses involving Commonwealth countries. Our approach is to scan the trade and development landscape for areas where unorthodox approaches are ineffective or where there are public policy failures or gaps, and to seek new approaches to address those. Our work plan is flexible which allows us to respond quickly to emerging issues in the international trading environment that impact particularly on two highly vulnerable Commonwealth constituencies – least developed countries and small states.

We conduct activities principally in three broad areas:

Supporting Commonwealth developing members in their negotiation of multilateral and regional trade agreements that promote positive outcomes for developing countries, notably their economic growth through expanded trade.

Conducting research and consultations that increase understanding of the changing of the international trading environment and of policy options for successful adaptation.

Supporting advocacy and consensus building that advances the more beneficial participation of Commonwealth developing countries, particularly small states and least developed countries in the multilateral trading system.