Trade Policy

Globalisation continues to intensify the influence of international trade on developing and transition countries. If they are to profit from international trade relations, they must be able to hold their own in increasing international competition. These countries need comprehensive knowledge of international regulations and standards to meet this challenge. They must also have the skills contribute to shaping policy in both a regional and international framework to meet their own needs (via membership in regional integration communities and the World Trade Organisation, WTO, for example). But many developing and transition countries are still excluded from growing international trade. If they are avoid being the losers of globalisation, it is critical to develop and promote their foreign trade systems. Trade rules must be defined internationally and applied nationally so that all involved in international markets enjoy the same opportunities, rights, and responsibilities. Decision-makers from developing and transition countries must be able to represent their country’s interests on the international stage when treaties are being negotiated. Social and ecological aspects should also be taken into consideration when designing international trade relations. Inwent provides experts and executives from regulatory authorities and the private sector with the knowledge they need of regulations and mechanisms of international trade policy, thus increasing their ability to exert influence. Inwent also works to ensure that its partner countries negotiate fair trade agreements that they can then use as a foundation for stable economic growth processes.

Developing countries will only profit from fair trade relations if their companies and products can compete on global markets. This is why a key element of our work is our focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in the partner countries of German development policy cooperation. Their future is crucial for local economies. Throughout the world, the lion’s share of jobs are created by small and medium-sized companies. These firms must be made competitive and their ability to trade improved if they are to survive on the international market. This means these companies have to increase their productivity and innovative power over the long term. Inwent supports the development of small and medium-sized enterprises with a series of capacity building programmes. We offer training seminars on promoting technology and increasing quality and international marketing. Our programmes address experts and executives working on increasing their country’s exports. This is just one way Inwent contributes to the formation of international economic cooperatives between industrialised, transition and developing countries.

International contacts play an important role in sustainable development in both industrialised and in developing and transition countries, for these contacts result in international trade relations. If the developing and transition countries are to take an active and successful role in global cooperation, however, they must have qualified personnel who are internationally mobile and have the skills to act on the international stage. In addition to expert know-how and an understanding of foreign markets, these employees also need international trade and management skills. Inwent promotes cross-national learning communities comprised of employees from firms, trade associations and administrations. We encourage reciprocal social and cultural understanding and foreign trade relations on both a corporate and a community level. We strengthen the innovative and competitive power of companies in both Germany and our partner countries, and improve our programme participant’s personal career opportunities as well.

Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) information on the topic