International Trade Forum articles from April 2005

International Trade Forum archives from April 2005

Why services matter.(From the Editor)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2005... When you picture "trade." the world trading system" or "exports", what image springs to mind? You'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who thinks of trade in services. The most frequent responses are goods loaded in containers on a ship, boxes on...

A path to growth: services are the fastest-growing component of international trade.(Why services Matter for Development)
April 1, 2005... In recent years, technology advances have had a tremendous impact on the sector as many services can now be marketed and delivered online. However, the service sector is diverse and fragmented and, therefore, difficult to reach. Promoting...

Trade in services facts and figures.(Services: Challenges & Solutions)
April 1, 2005... Study after study shows that services--and service exporting--are generally misunderstood. Creating awareness about service exporters and their needs is the first step to increasing trade in this promising area for developing countries. ...

Market opportunities in services.(Services: Challenges & Solutions)
April 1, 2005... Research and development Many multinational companies outsource research and development activities, such as clinical trials. Countries with specialized knowledge and skilled workers can offer their services. Left: In 2003, Malaysia...

Identifying business interest in WTO services talks: developing country businesses can shape their trade future. What it takes: knowing the market, spotting the barriers and voicing interests in the right channels.(Services: Challenges & Solutions)
April 1, 2005... Services negotiations in the World Trade Organization (WTO) are moving slowly. As of May 2005, less than half of WTO members had tabled offers. Has the private sector in developing countries overlooked its interests in the negotiations?...

Why coalitions?(Services: Challenges & Solutions)
April 1, 2005... Services players in several developing countries are setting up coalitions for collaboration to boost the sector. Just a few years ago, services coalitions were mainly located in developed economies such as Hong Kong (China) and the United...

Selling a promise: in many developing countries, not seriously in the global marketplace is the greatest barrier to exporting services. Building credibility abroad is the springboard to success.(Services: Challenges & Solutions)
April 1, 2005... Exporters in the services sector are trying to sell something invisible to the buyer; in fact, they are selling a promise. It is much easier to market products because they can be inspected and tried out. Services are usually spot and the buyer...

Raising awareness: can grow trade in services: because many national strategy-makers and businesses are not aware of the potential of service exports, they do not tap into this growing opportunity. Raising awareness about services is an important first step.(Services: Challenges & Solutions)
April 1, 2005... Despite growing global demand, many developing countries are not taking advantage of the opportunities that exist across several sectors to export services. Mainly, this is because neither businesses nor governments are aware of the capacity...

Promoting exports of services: how to make it happen: trade support institutions can promote national strengths in services. This helps firms in their own marketing and improves the country's overall image.(Services: Challenges & Solutions)
April 1, 2005... Creating a national image of quality providers is one of the most important trade promotion initiatives to boost exports of services. Trade support institutions (TSIs), which represent business communities such as national trade promotion...

Trade forum's choice.(Resources for Trade in Services)
April 1, 2005... Online Resources Have the articles in this issue addressed your needs? Are you looking for more information on specific topics? These resources, from ITC and other organizations, can give you more insight into specific service topics. ...

National development plans often exclude the service sector.(CHALLENGES)
April 1, 2005... The export strategies of many developing countries focus on goods and overlook opportunities to diversify trade and create jobs through services. Global service markets are growing and offer opportunities in offshoring, professional and tourism...

Redefining tourism: tourism--the world's largest industry--is both an export and a development opportunity for many poor countries.(Services: Sectors with Potential)
April 1, 2005... It is estimated that by 2020, three times as many people will travel as do today. Developing countries are recognizing the tourism sector's potential contribution to national development goals, particularly by creating employment opportunities,...

Tourism: community development pays back: large corporations in the tourism sector are finding that investing in local community development brings healthy returns. An interview with the manager of Hotel Sofitel in Bahia, Brazil, gives an example of corporate social responsibility in practice.(Services: Sectors with Potential)
April 1, 2005... The belief that large corporations benefit little from developing the supply capacity of local communities is false. True, there are a number of non-quantifiable benefits, which can make it difficult to justify an investment. However, consider...

New directions for: African financial services: debates thrive between African and developed nations over a "Marshall Plan" for Africa, debt cancellation and support for small firms. To ensure competitiveness, Africa's own financial institutions must point the way in supporting trade and investment.(Services: Sectors with Potential)
April 1, 2005... As we enter an era in which it seeks to increase its share of global trade with traditional and emerging partners, Africa must develop new strategies to avoid being left behind. For trade, Africa's over-reaching challenge is replacing its...

Business & professional services fast-growing markets: business and professionals services form more than a third of global service exports--and their share continues to grow.
April 1, 2005... According to the International Monetary Fund, business and professional services have been the fastest-growing sector of world trade from an export earnings perspective since the General Agreement on Trade in Services was launched in 1995, with...

Tapping the potential of professionals with disabilities: professionals with disabilities are often overlooked in trade, telecommunications and economic development policies. Service providers from this community, however, are using technology to unlock their diverse talents and reach out to new markets.
April 1, 2005... Accessible and reliable telecommunications are a lifeline for service exporters with disabilities. Technologies based on open standards such as the World Wide Web, electronic mail and voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) enable professionals...

How services move goods.(Services: New Perspectives)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Services contribute to everything a society produces. Even getting goods to market is heavily linked to services. Take, for example, a 5-kilo bag of rice exported from Pakistan to Europe. How does the rice move from the exporter to the...

From negotiations to export capacity: a report on ITC's annual meeting.(ITC News)
April 1, 2005... ITC reviewed its progress in helping countries to supply world markets at the Joint Advisory Group on the International Trade Centre, its annual meeting with beneficiaries and donors (Geneva, 18-22 April). Representatives from 93 developed and...

ITC: developing trade: now and in the future: extracts from the opening statement to delegates at ITC's annual meeting.
April 1, 2005... The world of trade grows ever more competitive. Nonetheless, North and South, people keep turning to trade as a tool for development. Why? Because trade makes a difference to improving the lives of the poor, as we see from our projects. In...

Rwanda scents new export opportunity.(ITC: News In Brief & Information Products)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Paul Kagame, the President of Rwanda, met ITC officials in April to discuss developing essential-oil exports, inspired by the success of an ITC-facilitated project in neighbouring Burundi. Many Rwandans depend on subsistence farming for a...

New books and technical papers.(ITC Information Products)
April 1, 2005... Influencing and Meeting International Standards: Challenges for developing countries Vol. 2. 174 pages. Second volume of a joint ITC-Commonwealth Secretariat two-volume study dealing with technical assistance needs of developing countries...