Trade Policy Issues and challenges in SSA

Session 4.4: Developing holistic approaches to trade policy making and trade related negotiations

Presented by Margaret K. Chemengich

16th June 2009

Format of presentation

Challenges Proposals for trade policy making Proposals for negotiations Plenary/Discussions and recommendations

Challenges in trade policy making

Overlaps in the RECs Appreciation of the global trade architecture Linking commercial diplomacy, aid and trade Integrating regional, multilateral and global

commitments into the trade policy making processes

Differences in levels of regional integration arising from multiple memberships

Challenges in trade policy making

Collaborations and linkages across sectors within country, regional and global levels

Exclusion of key players in policy making processes Lack of capacity in new trade areas (legal, technical, ….)

Lack of statutory provisions/requirements for enforcing trade agreements

Inadequate access to information

Challenges in negotiations

Full appreciation of destination markets and its linkages with domestic/regional policies, regulations

Analytical and negotiating capacities Information access Limited Political interface thus loosing out on

commercial diplomacy Limited or inadequate stakeholder involvement Piecemeal approaches

Challenges in negotiations (cont)

Delayed participation of critical players in the negotiation process (eg legal support engaged at drafting stage)

Fragmented institutional arrangements impacting on trade

Limited synergies across trade facilitating commitments

Inadequate coordination at REC level to follow up on joint and common positions

Independent handling of the investment and yet there is linkage with trade

Proposals on trade policy making (cont 1)

Harmonisation of policy and regulatory framework taking into account global/multilateral, regional and bilateral commitments

Institutional coordination while building on synergies Unified but simple trade policy document Regulatory framework with supportive patternships

to facilitate enforcement of commitments

Proposals on trade policy making (cont 1)

Continuous capacity building for policy makers, implementers and beneficiaries

Dedicated and independent institutions for research and analytical work

Partnerships with international institutions for benchmarking and enforcement of best practices

Proposals on trade policy making

Information access on trade policy linked to key facilitating institutions (website- interconnected)

Wide stakeholder involvement (sitting in key policy panels)

Trade facilitation and capacity enhancement Continuous assessment and evaluation of impact of

trade policies with a view to taking on board the most beneficial

Proposals on negotiations

Go to negotiations with clear understanding that there is no charity in trade, as such diplomatic niceties have to place in negotiations

Negotiating positions to be informed by research taking into account impact assessments of previous commitments

Analyse trade patterns using international tools/packages to establish trading patterns of destination markets

Trade facilitation and trade related issues should form part of the trade agreements

Pan-African response to the emerging markets (eg China, India,….)

Proposals on negotiations (cont 1)

Establishing the linkages between trade agreements and related issues on environment, labour, governance,

Legal interpretations and opinion should accompany every trade agreement

Identify current trade patterns with a view to identifying niches at national, regional or continental level

Proposals on negotiations (cont. 2)

Establish different levels of consultation from sectoral, national, regional to global levels

Take note of commitments with trading partners especially positions espoused by them

Prepare comprehensive negotiating aspects on all sectors, issues in particular those for protection and ensure that all trading partners sign on to them

Proposals on negotiations (cont. 2)

Wide stakeholder involvement within thematic areas Commitments should be accompanied by requisite capacities

and resources for implementation Pay special attention to sectors/issues being excluded from

trade negotiation by especially the developed world (eg IPR issues, government procurement, investment, …..)

Pay special attention to issues demanded for and analyse to establish implications/impacts on trade and development

Appreciating the interests of multinationals, transnationals, CSOs in trade negotiations

Proposals on negotiations (cont. 3)

Membership in Overlaps and multiplicities of trading blocs Positioning in the many RTA in global arena who form part of

the trading partners Identifying trade-offs and issues for leveraging issues and

sectors Differentiating commercial, economic and political diplomacy

and implications on trade negotiations and interface with trade policy

Building networks at national, regional and global levels across public sector, private sector, CSOs

Trade information intelligence Insider advise to appreciate motivations

Plenary/Discussions

Recommendations from participants

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