Cross-cutting Aid-for- Trade Issues Regional Planning Mechanisms & Financial Instruments

Why is the regional dimension of capacity building important? African countries: Supply-side constraints -> regional and cross-border activities Supply-side constraints -> regional and cross-border activities Landlocked, Small & Fragmented economies Landlocked, Small & Fragmented economies Capacity building must enhance regional planning, coordination & financing mechanisms Capacity building must enhance regional planning, coordination & financing mechanisms

Why is the regional dimension of capacity building important? Public sector needs to be strengthened to mainstream trade policy in development strategies and to enhance trade and investment. Public sector needs to be strengthened to mainstream trade policy in development strategies and to enhance trade and investment. Strengthen private sector and support organisations – chambers of commerce, producer organisations, manufacturers, etc. Strengthen private sector and support organisations – chambers of commerce, producer organisations, manufacturers, etc. Public-Private Partnerships needs to be developed and supported – develop projects together. Public-Private Partnerships needs to be developed and supported – develop projects together.

Why is the regional dimension of capacity building important? It is important to map the needs for capacity building. It is important to map the needs for capacity building. Regional institutions should be strengthened to support regional trade integration. Regional institutions should be strengthened to support regional trade integration. Regional banks, other financial institutions and regional organisations could play a role. Regional banks, other financial institutions and regional organisations could play a role. Capacity will also be developed by implementing projects and role players will learn by doing – Lets be pragmatic! Capacity will also be developed by implementing projects and role players will learn by doing – Lets be pragmatic!

How to improve cooperation, Regional Integration Develop and fund multi-national projects such as road, rail, waterways & power networks. Develop and fund multi-national projects such as road, rail, waterways & power networks. Develop Spatial Development Initiatives – links to agriculture, agro-industrial, tourism & industry. Develop Spatial Development Initiatives – links to agriculture, agro-industrial, tourism & industry. Develop links to local, regional & export markets. Develop links to local, regional & export markets. Enhance public-private partnerships (in countries & across borders)– improve export capacity, SPS, custom regulations, etc. Enhance public-private partnerships (in countries & across borders)– improve export capacity, SPS, custom regulations, etc. Improve coordination between development agencies – ITC, UNECA, UNIDO, UNDP, WTO, NGOs, etc. Improve coordination between development agencies – ITC, UNECA, UNIDO, UNDP, WTO, NGOs, etc.

Restructuring Finance to Address Regional Integration Issues RECs can play a leading role to develop multi-national projects. RECs can play a leading role to develop multi-national projects. Consultants could be financed to assist RECs in developing need analysis. Consultants could be financed to assist RECs in developing need analysis. Regional bodies can play an important role to develop in developing trade networks. Regional bodies can play an important role to develop in developing trade networks. RECs can be financed on a project basis in developing tangible outputs. RECs can be financed on a project basis in developing tangible outputs.

Way Forward Promote understanding of AfT Promote understanding of AfT Prioritise trade needs in Africa Prioritise trade needs in Africa Facilitate capacity & transfer skills Facilitate capacity & transfer skills Assist RECs with AfT Action Plans Assist RECs with AfT Action Plans African AfT Network to implement plans African AfT Network to implement plans Develop a report mechanism Develop a report mechanism Assist with multi-national project plans Assist with multi-national project plans Finance regional projects – roads, rail, power, agro-industrial & trade / market networks Finance regional projects – roads, rail, power, agro-industrial & trade / market networks