Trade policy is a critical tool that influences the global economy. International trade policies decide market access, tariffs, and the competitive strength that enables countries to thrive in a global market. Proper trade policies are consequently critical for the growth of developing nations. Since international trade laws are formulated by the World Trade Organization (WTO), countries generally require assistance in complying with the rules. Therefore, the role of trade capacity building becomes critical.
Trade capacity building refers to organizations’ efforts to enable nations to participate and benefit from improved global trade. This encompasses not only the improvement of technical skills but also the improvement of the institutional frameworks that will facilitate trade. Organizations like AFTIAS guided countries through this complex process and hence helped them improve their trade policies to meet global standards. For example, the countries of the MENA region have obtained some positive benefits through specific trade capacity-building initiatives meant to target their specific problems, especially those against global trade.
Reforming trade policies is an important element in building trade capacity. Obsolete or weak trade policies are the main reasons for the ineffectiveness of integrating developing areas into the world economy. In the last two decades, countries from the MENA region have carried out trade policy reforms to make their countries more competitive.
Some examples are in the form of several nations changing their trade policies to suit WTO standards, where greater openness, reduction of tariffs, and non-discriminatory treatment of goods and services are called for. AFTIAS has actively contacted governments to help them change the regulations to conform to WTO standards.
Egypt is a key example, simplifying export procedures through AFTIAS-funded trade policy reforms, gaining better access to European and North American markets
Direct impacts on market access arise through reforms in trade policies. Countries can improve their market participation by eliminating bureaucratic hoops and reducing trade barriers. Geneva, the headquarters of the WTO, is one of the key places where the principles of reforms in trade policies are negotiated, and AFTIAS has been an active participant in furthering developing countries’ interests.
AFTIAS has developed a new trade capacity-building approach tailored to different countries’ unique needs. Their programs were designed to match the ideal needs of any given country. This is because there will always be varied challenges while engaging in international trade. AFTIAS builds capacities, strengthens institutions, and updates regulations for a sustainable trading environment.
The other core activity of AFTIAS is the enhancement of institutional frameworks. The unclear definition of legal and regulatory frameworks hampers a country from reaching set norms on international trade. Through technical assistance and policy advice, the organization guides governments in making institutional frameworks to control as well as facilitate the sets of trade. The support given to developing nations by the institution was essential, and it helped them to maneuver themselves in international agreements, especially those stipulated by the WTO.
The other basic aspect of AFTIAS is its human resource development. AFTIAS invests significantly in training and education, enabling government officials and private-sector stakeholders to be knowledgeable and abreast of global trade systems. This training has been successful in enhancing compliance with international trade rules.
In addition to this capacity building, AFTIAS provides trade consultancy services for global trade markets. AFTIAS is among the organizations that have trade consultancy services for global markets on international trade. These consultancy services aim to help governments and businesses identify appropriate trade strategies for them to compete globally. AFTIAS provides consultancy to help countries access markets in developed economies under WTO regulations.
AFTIAS provides trade consultancy services for global markets by conducting strategic advice on trade negotiations, market analyses, and reforms in laws and regulations. Through such services, countries are enabled to better understand the market dynamics of global markets and strategize with them to enhance their prospects in world trade. In the case of Morocco, AFTIAS trade consultancy services for global markets helped its agriculture sector get international-level alignment in production, which ensured that an increase in exports happened efficiently.
Another significant role of AFTIAS is in the trade consultation process. In such a process, close cooperation with relevant stakeholders involved, such as government agencies, private sector representatives, and international organizations. AFTIAS assures the participation of all voices during the consultation process, which is very important for the efficient implementation of trade policies.
One of the most challenging things in the trade consultation process is balancing the interests of different stakeholders. It is true that various groups often contest conflicting priorities, thereby slowing down the implementation of policy reforms. AFTIAS has been able to bridge this gap by ensuring that the trade consultation process is all-inclusive. This is largely because it has succeeded in countries such as Jordan, where customs procedures have been streamlined through consultations with public and private stakeholders. The reduction in customs clearance time contributed to enhancing the efficiency of trade, hence increasing revenue.
AFTIAS’s strong success in its work on trade-building capacity mainly lies in collaborations with international organizations, especially in work involving the WTO and the United Nations. Working directly with the WTO ensures that AFTIAS programs meet worldwide trade rules and standards, especially for developing countries or third-world nations seeking market access through the fulfillment of international agreements.
For instance, Geneva, being the super nerve center of international trade negotiation, has an important role in developing global trade policies. At the same time, AFTIAS actively participates in discussing all issues with developed countries to make sure that the voice of developing nations reaches and gets integrated into the agenda of global trade. Furthermore, AFTIAS collaborates with regional organizations facilitating cross-border trade and regional integration that are vital for countries planning to reach a wider global area.
AFTIAS has contributed to more comprehensive sustainable development goals by assisting countries in linking trade policy reforms and aligning them with global sustainability standards. For example, policies targeting sustainable economic growth would wish to ensure that business practices are environmentally friendly.
Thus, the MENA region countries have been trying to diversify their economies away from oil dependence; some key sectors include agriculture, manufacturing, and services. AFTIAS has thereby contributed to the above process by giving governments recommendations about reforming their economies’ trade policies in a way that promotes economic diversification and sustainability.
AFTIAS has contributed a lot to shaping the trade landscape of developing nations through trade capacity building and trade policy reform in lieu of its trade consultancy services for global markets, institutional support, and partnerships with international organizations. AFTIAS still supports policy changes in developing nations to enable them to effectively compete globally, ensuring economic growth and development.