International Trade Forum - Volume 2018, Issue 3, 2018

We are truly entering the age of the consumer. Across the world consumers are increasingly aware of the impact their purchasing decisions can have on how goods are produced. And there is growing awareness among producers that value chains that are inclusive and support sustainable production can be an attractive proposition for this new and influential generation of ‘woke consumers’ for whom ethical consumption is more a lifestyle than just a philosophy.

Handmade embroidery and quality stitching is what makes Kyrgyz textiles go global.

Millions of refugees are being forcibly displaced from war zones and failed states and most rich countries prefer to keep them out as opposed to hosting them. This is a humanitarian disaster and an epic failure to learn from the past about the effect of refugee waves. As Philippe Legrain writes in his 2016 report, ‘Refugees Work: A Humanitarian Dividend That Yields Economic Dividends, refugees are an investment that yield economic dividends. Refugees bring complementary skills that make firms more productive, create businesses and pay taxes.

Barbados is the most easterly island in the Caribbean island chain. It is a beautiful island that is 34 kilometres long and 23 km wide, totaling only 432km2. While many countries claim to be small – and are small in comparison to larger developed countries – Barbados is small even in comparison to other Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) like itself.

As economic growth accelerates, unsustainable consumption and production patterns exacerbate inequality and natural resource depletion. Business as usual is not an option anymore, neither in the medium or long-term, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. The time has come to urgently transition to an inclusive green economy, an economic model that focuses on resource efficiency and the sustainable management of ecosystems as a building block.

Cities are home to half of the world’s population and 80% of global economic output. As their influence on the global economy expands, so does their impact on economic development and social and environmental sustainability. Trade is a means of creating unique and – if done right – sustainable opportunities. Actions that city governments take are vital in determining the effects trade will have on global consumption and production.

There is no doubt that there is an inextricable link between the trade and flow of agricultural goods and the sustainable development of supply chains. This is core to our vision at Louis Dreyfus Company, as a global merchant, which is to work toward a safe and sustainable future while contributing to the global effort of providing sustenance for a growing population. It must also include the development of a robust and thriving farm sector.

Access to natural resources is already – and will continue to be – a major challenge for sustainable development challenge far into the future. Fortunately, many opportunities exist along international supply chains to meet resource shortfalls.

Touted as a superfood and loved by hipsters from Tokyo to San Francisco, the humble avocado has in recent years become one of the world’s favourite foods. For farmers in rural Kenya and in the country’s export sector this ‘green gold’ has helped boost incomes and job creation.

In the wake of the sustainability movement, many companies are now striving to change their business models to minimize their ecological footprint. Nevertheless, biodiversity conservation tends not to be among their top priority. This is a dilemma as halting biodiversity loss is a global priority that is directly referenced in United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals 14 and 15 (life below water and life on land), but also in other SDGs.

There are not a lot of opportunities for income in rural Zambia, a sad fact that is especially true for women.

The digital revolution has already transformed our economies and our society. New technologies and tools have entered our daily lives, companies have new ways of doing business. Digital platforms now provide services that used to be the bread and butter of retailers, travel agents, banks and many others. Though these changes are creating immense opportunities for many, they pose risks to economic growth and inclusiveness where the business ecosystem is not set up to harness the power of new technological possibilities.

The Rules of Origin Facilitator is a new online tool which makes navigating the complex landscape of trade agreements easier. It allows micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to find opportunities to benefit from preferential duty rates and learn about the conditions they would need to fulfil.

Vineyards across the Northern Hemisphere these days are full of grape pickers. Despite problems caused by climate change, many are hoping for a bumper harvest as a result of this summer’s hot weather. Probably the most popular beverage in the world after water, the global wine trade was worth more than $35.5 billion in 2017. Europe accounted for 69% of exports, led by France, Italy and Spain.

The International Trade Centre (ITC) has long been part of the global movement to protect the environment. For example, mainstreaming of environmental issues is a requirement for the development of new programmes and projects. Since the spring of 2017, the organization has moved a step ahead with the launch of the ITC Greening Initiative (GI).