Trade and Development - An Introduction

Description:
Introduction to some of the issues of trade and development / The document aims to provide an overview of some of the main issues of trade and development and the role of development cooperation in this field. It states that trade can act as an engine for growth and poverty reduction. However, the relationship between trade, growth and poverty reduction is complex. The policies pursued by developed and developing country Governments influence the poverty impact of trade. Therefore, trade policy has to be implemented in conjunction with complementary measures. Careful attention needs to be paid to the povery dimension of trade, and more generally, economic reform in developing countries. Developing countries are active participants in international trade and trade increasingly with eachother. The document also states that membership of the World Trade Organization brings both opportunities and challenges and that development cooperation does have a role to play.