TradeRelated Technical Assistance

1
The International Competitiveness of Economies in
Transition The Untapped Potential A Challenge
for Business and Government

• Trade-Related Technical Assistance
• What Works and What Doesnt
• J. Smadja
• Deputy Executive Director, ITC

12 15 November 2003 Sofia, Bulgaria
2
The Issue

• TRTA can significantly enhance the
  competitiveness of transition economies.
• the current public-sector focus, however, is not
  sufficient.
• The needs of the export sector as a whole must be
  considered when articulating TRTA requirements.

3
The Proposition

• TRTA should seek to develop capacities at three
  levels
• trade policy level
• trade support network
• enterprise level
• the composition and means of delivery of TRTA
  have to be modified

4
The Approach

• do-it-yourself vs. international consultancy
• greater use of ICTs
• creation and replication of success stories
• longer-term perspectives
• coordinated donor approaches
• greater accountability / cost-sharing
• targets specified, monitored and benchmarked

5
Focus of the Debate

• What approaches to TRTA work in transition
  economies, which do not, and why?
• What are the key elements of a successful TRTA
  programme?
• What are the priority areas of TRTA for economies
  in transition?