ITC publications bring the business voice to sustainable trade, with a focus on developing countries. We offer guidance for trade policymakers, business support organizations and small firms. Our reports offer insights to make trade more inclusive, green, digital and competitive.
This publication offers guidance to governments and businesses in value chains on how to make effective sustainability claims on products and, ultimately, aims at empowering consumers to make informed sustainable choices.Jointly produced with UN Environment and the UN 10YFP Consumer Information...
Voluntary sustainability standards are in the mainstream, and no longer a novelty for niche markets. This second global report outlines data on area, production volume and producers for 14 major sustainability standards across bananas, cocoa, coffee, cotton, palm oil, soybeans, cane sugar, tea...
Voluntary standards have been rising fast, leading to similar standards operating in the same markets. This study finds multiple standards in 86 of 90 markets it reviewed, which creates confusion for consumers and producers alike. This joint report with the European University Institute is the...
Tourism is a key trade development sector for many LDCs – as highlighted in 45 of 48 Diagnostic Trade Integration Studies analysed for this joint UNWTO-ITC-EIF report.A must-read for the development community in this International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, the report provides...
Small firms and women-led enterprises can connect to global markets by boosting their digital capacity. This is an area where Aid for Trade can have a big impact. Evidence shows a significant connectivity gap between small and large firms, and between firms managed/owned by men or women. This...
Literature review of interdependencies between public and private standards. It focuses on how governments could engage with private standards to impact their legitimacy and significance in the market; provides examples of complementarities between public and private standards. Part three of a...
Private sustainability standards can be an effective tool to foster sustainable development. This paper outlines conditions for sustainability and potential obstacles. Private sustainability standards can bring benefits to producers and the supply chain. This literature review analyses why the...
Training module providing people in the tourism sector with skills to expand opportunities for enhancing local community involvement in this sector. It provides an introduction to the tourism sector, and how it can contribute to poverty reduction; discusses potential involvement of local people and...
While more than 40% of existing trade strategies identify trade integration and regionalism as crucial policy areas, less than 3% of the strategies are regional. Nor do they fully build on diversification opportunities in services and manufacturing.This is one of many trends in trade strategies,...
To educate policymakers about obstacles specific to trade in services, this guide is for firms, associations and trade institutions who wish to join forces through coalitions. Trade policies should reflect the voice of services firms in order to maximize growth opportunities. To advise on the...
No water, no life! Water use and management have become central to the global debate on sustainability and are part of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Optimizing efficient water management at product, process and organizational levels is increasingly becoming important in supply chains,...
Trade promotion and investment megatrends were the focus of the 2016 Trade Promotion Organizations Network World Conference and Awards in Marrakesh, Morocco. The report includes a summary of discussions with participants from 85 countries. They addressed trends including digital transformation,...
