Trade Capacity Building
The U.S. is the largest single-country provider of trade capacity building (TCB) assistance in the world. This assistance—also referred to as “aid for trade”—helps developing countries take advantage of the global trading system and harness trade as an engine of growth and development. USAID works with other U.S. Government partners to provide TCB assistance to build the physical, human and institutional capacity of these countries to participate in and benefit from rules-based trade.
On behalf of the U.S. Government, USAID conducts an annual survey of all U.S. agencies providing trade-related technical assistance to developing countries and uses data to respond to inquiries from Congress, the executive branch, the WTO and the OECD. Since 2001, USAID has provided more than $3.4 billion of TCB assistance in more than 110 countries. Take a look at survey results on the TCB database.
USAID and their U.S. Government partners provide technical assistance to help developing countries and transition economies accede to, or comply with, the WTO and provide technical assistance to developing countries and transition economies in order to build their trade competitiveness. A few examples of the many technical assistance activities include:
- Negotiating regional trade agreements
- Eliminating subsidies or price controls in the trade sector
- Encouraging business support services and information for exporting and importing companies
- Reforming government procurement and customs procedures
- Promoting technology transfer and removing technical barriers
- Developing a competitive workforce
- Encouraging trade finance through a well-developed financial sector
- Promoting and designing sound policies related to fiscal and monetary issues, consumer protection, anti-monopoly, and commercial codes
- Developing infrastructure
- Designing environmental standards and technology
For more details on the TCB work of U.S. Government agencies, see the TCB Database. Also check out the Country Activity Reports for country specific TCB information by implementing or funding agency, TCB category, and country or region.
Working with US Government partners in trade capacity building
USAID coordinates its TCB efforts with other U.S. Government agencies responsible for advancing a range of U.S. trade objectives.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is responsible for negotiating trade agreements and developing trade policies which promote world economic growth and create new opportunities for Americans.
The Millennium Challenge Corporation finds that beginning with its first compacts in 2005, Trade Capacity Building accounts for a significant portion of the programs designed by its developing country partners.
The Department of State's Trade Policy and Programs Division promotes U.S. business and agricultural producer interests to expand world trade, expand the scope of multilateral trade agreements, and enforce rules to eliminate foreign trade barriers.
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) has several units engaged in technical assistance and capacity building related to trade, including the Foreign Agricultural Service; Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service; Agricultural Marketing Service; and Agricultural Research Service.
The U.S. Trade & Development Agency (USTDA) advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle income countries through technical assistance, feasibility studies, training, orientation visits and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment.
The Department of Commerce has several units engaged in technical assistance and capacity building related to trade, including the Commercial Law Development Program; International Trade Administration; Trade Compliance Center; Patent & Trademark Office; and National Institute of Standards & Technology.
Back to Top ^ |
