Latest content: Trade and economy

A blog by: Akeem Rahaman, Economic Advisor, Sophie Brain, Research Officer, and James Gregory, Research Officer work in the Economic Policy and Small States Directorate of the Commonwealth Secretariat.

The two organisations will broaden their existing cooperation to promote the ocean economy, curb plastic pollution, support least-developed countries, bolster the digital economy and boost gender equality.

The Commonwealth Secretariat has partnered with the Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), a member of the Islamic Development Bank Group, and Cameroon’s Ministry of Trade to deliver the first of a series of digital boot camp training workshops to build the capacity of women-owned micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs) across the west central African country.

This week, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC, spoke at the Management Development Institute (MDI) in New Delhi India, about the importance of closing the digital divide and utilizing strategies such as SMART governance.

By Brendan Vickers, Head, International Trade Policy Section; Salamat Ali, Economic Adviser, Trade Economist and Neil Balchin, Economic Adviser, Trade Policy Analysis, The Commonwealth Secretariat, London.

One of the greatest challenges facing many Commonwealth countries is the global food crisis and soaring prices.

The 2022 Commonwealth Business Forum (CBF 2022) commenced in Kigali today, with participants deliberating on key global issues and the role of the Commonwealth in leading a global reset as the world emerges from the pandemic.

Blog by Travis Mitchell, Adviser and Head, Economic Policy and Small States

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC, joined Ministers from across the world in attending the Opening Session of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) at the WTO headquarters in Geneva on 12 June 2022. The Secretary-General attended as a special guest of the Conference Chair, Kazakhstan.

The Commonwealth Secretariat and World Trade Organization (WTO) signed yesterday (11 June) a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation between the two organizations and to enhance the participation of Commonwealth countries in the multilateral trading system.

Governments and the business community across the Commonwealth are set to meet for the first and largest in-person gathering at the Commonwealth Business Forum, held alongside CHOGM in Kigali later this month. Ahead of the Forum, the Commonwealth Secretary-General addressed members of the Eastern Africa Association reaffirming the Secretariat’s commitment to supporting member governments, businesses, and the people in East Africa as they unleash their full potential

Ahead of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) starting on 12 June 2022, the Commonwealth Small States Office (CSSO) in Geneva organised two virtual workshops to assist small states with their preparations for the ministerial meeting.

The Prime Minister of Dominica, the Hon Roosevelt Skerrit has praised the role of the Commonwealth Secretariat in enabling more public-private partnerships as well as building the digital economy in his country.

The Commonwealth Secretariat and the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today to collaborate on key areas of development.

Op-ed by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC

Last week the Commonwealth Secretariat held a three-day workshop in Nepal for grassroots female entrepreneurs to help them leverage digital infrastructure opportunities for E-Commerce and Digital Marketing.

Widespread acceptance of digital trade documents could generate an additional US$1.2 trillion in trade by Commonwealth countries by 2026, a report has found.

For almost 15 years, under the flagship Aid for Trade Hub and Spokes (H&S) Programme, Pacific Island countries received critical trade support from advisers deployed across the region to support both national and regional trade agendas.

Blog by Neil Balchin, Economic Adviser, International Trade Policy Section