Trade policy

ASI has worked at the leading edge of international trade reform for over 15 years. ASI has piloted many ideas that were considered radical but are now widely accepted, such as highlighting the ill effects of protectionism and the benefits of trade policy reform on the poor.
 
We have worked extensively in developing and transitional countries to support governments articulating trade policies, establish national trade regimes that are compliant with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and design incentives to facilitate trade. ASI advisers, who have worked on these projects, share our belief that a fairer global trade regime, where developing countries can improve their terms of trade and have genuine barrier-free access to global markets, can be more effective than aid in eliminating poverty.

ASI's capability in supporting Trade Reform:

• WTO compliance and accession and participation in regional trade agreements;
• Analysis of trade regimes including Diagnostic Trade Integration Studies (DTIS);
• Assessment of administrative barriers to trade and investment;
• Reform of customs policy, institutions and procedures;
• Trade facilitation, including customs reform and the creation of enabling business environments;
• Development of organisational capacity to facilitate trade; and
• Capacity building and training modules for trade officials and negotiators.

Our projects range from establishing capacity in the Customs Department of Afghanistan, to facilitating Russia's WTO accession, to running intensive training on the WTO regime for government officials in South Africa.