Expert Meeting on Promoting Value Addition and Enhancement of Domestic Productive Capacity through Local Economic Empowerment

Promoting value addition and the enhancement of domestic productive capacity through local economic empowerment

A key challenge in the integration of developing countries into the global trading system has been the range, variety (under the same classification code) and technological content of the goods and services they produce for export.

Promoting value addition and enhancing domestic productive capacity is therefore a pressing and continuing challenge for developing countries as they seek to positively participate in global trade. In addition to domestic productive capacity, market access conditions under which goods and services are traded present formidable challenges.

To facilitate the discussion, the UNCTAD secretariat has prepared a background document titled “Promoting value addition and the enhancement of domestic productive capacity through local economic empowerment”, which discusses trade policy issues relevant to addressing these challenges, with a view to increasing participation in international markets, which can also contribute to achieving Goal 17.11.

A carefully planned strategy may use a combination of horizontal, vertical and qualitative diversification. Market entry costs, as well as quality upgrading, pose greater difficulties for smaller companies and in low-income countries.

Regional cooperation in conformity assessment systems and regulatory frameworks can pave the way for new, non-traditional exports that can develop within regional production networks. Governments and relevant stakeholders will need to partner in such endeavours.

The Expert Meeting will discuss the policies needed in developing countries for international trade to be used in achieving inclusive sustainable development, in particular through adding value to exports.

The meeting is expected to:

1. Discuss the policies and strategies needed to ensure diversification that adds value to exports and strengthens and empowers local communities;

2. Promote among participants a better understanding of the links between trade and market access beyond tariffs, namely the impact of non-tariff measures and voluntary sustainability standards in trade and productive capacity;

3. Discuss how to ensure coherence between trade and other policies in the above-mentioned areas, even in cases where they touch upon sanitary and safety-related policies or environmental protection;

4. Cast light on the importance of transparency, regional cooperation and governance with regard to non-tariff measures and voluntary sustainability standards.

Participation

This meeting is open to all member States of UNCTAD, specialized agencies, intergovernmental bodies and non-governmental organizations in the general category, as well as academia, research institutions and the private sector. Member States of UNCTAD are requested to nominate experts in innovative strategies related to promoting value addition and enhancing productive capacity through local economic empowerment by Friday, 15 November 2019.

Experts who wish to participate in the meeting in a personal capacity are expected to have proven expertise in the subject areas and may be selected from specialized agencies, intergovernmental bodies, governmental and non-governmental organizations and academia.

Contributed Papers

Experts are encouraged to prepare and submit brief papers related to the subject under discussion by Friday, 29 November 2019.

These papers will be made available at the meeting in the form and language in which they are received.