South African and global trade is greatly affected by the growth and stability of world markets. Global food demand is altered by changes in world population, economic growth, and income. Other factors affecting trade are global supplies and prices, changes in exchange rates, government support of agriculture and trade policies.
Other SADC Trade Resources
SA's ability to export high-value agricultural commodities
Available online at: http://www.eldis.org/cf/rdr/?doc=33823
Africa in the world economy
A book that examines the economic constraints to growth and development in sub-Saharan Africa, the international community’s responsibilities, and the development model that would best fit African realities. The contributors to this book examine the economic constraints to growth and development faced by sub-Saharan African countries.
Available online at: http://www.eldis.org/cf/rdr/?doc=34020
There is a growing recognition that global institutions, on their own, are not able to promote developing countries' interests. This year's UNCTAD report argues that cooperation can significantly strengthen developing countries' efforts to meet the macroeconomic challenges of globalisation. It examines the role that regional monetary and financial arrangements can play in reconciling national needs with international opportunities and constraints.
Advantages of such regional cooperation include the following:
Advantages of such regional cooperation include the following:
Available online at: http://www.eldis.org/cf/rdr/?doc=33854
Available on line at: http://www.eldis.org/cf/rdr/?doc=33789
Available online at: http://www.eldis.org/cf/rdr/?doc=33768
The emerging trade strategy in many African countries appears to have at least two components:
At the time of the Doha launch there was much criticism by developing countries of the impact of the last trade round i.e., the Uruguay Round. Developing countries felt that the Uruguay Round Agreements were unfair as not only did they fail to provide equitable access for the products of developing countries in developed country markets, but they also created greater burdens upon developing countries and eroded their policy space. These issues were called ‘Implementation Issues'.
Regional trade agreements
The paper argues that the Cotonou Agreement and EPA negotiations could become the external driving force that will push the regional organizations to rationalize and harmonize their regional trade arrangements, thus strengthening the integration process and economies of the region, and assisting the Eastern and Southern Africa region in becoming a more active partner in the global economy.
Prepared by Bilaterals.org as a background document for a major international strategy workshop on free trade agreements in July 2006 and updated in October 2006, this is a very comprehensive inventory of free trade agreements and bilateral investment treaties that have been signed or are being negotiated all over the world.
National Directorate of Studies and Policy Analysis, Ministry of Planning and Development, Republic of Mozambique
The intent of the discussion paper series is to stimulate discussion and exchange ideas on issues pertinent to the economic and social development of Mozambique. A multiplicity of views exists on how to best foment economic and social development. The discussion paper series aims to reflect this diversity.
The BioTrade principles and criteria have been defined by the UNCTAD BioTrade Initiative and the BioTrade national programmes, and provide the core of the conceptual framework underlying the BioTrade Initiative's activities. They take into account the relevance of trade for specific species and ecosystems. This paper sets out the criteria to which BioTrade actors should aspire. These come under the following categories:
Regional Integration in Southern Africa
A study conducted for the Friederich Ebert Foundation
Regional integration can be a key force for sustainable development. It can promote economic growth, reduce poverty, foster social development or protect the environment. But it can also have negative economic and social impacts, especially when the domestic regulatory framework is inadequate or not implemented effectively.
The Friedrich Ebert Foundation through its office in Botswana and in close consultation with the Planning Unit of the SADC Secretariat initiated a regional research programme on "Deepening Integration in SADC Macroeconomic Policies and their Impact". This publication contains the findings of the Country Study and Survey from South Africa by the Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies, TIPS, and the Trade Law Centre of Southern Africa, tralac, South African Institute of International Affairs and SAIIA all from South Africa.
