Publications

Cotton production is both a contributor to and a ‘victim’ of climate change. Agricultural production, processing, trade and consumption contribute up to 30% of the world’s emissions when forest clearance is included in the calculation. Cotton production contributes to between 0.3% and 1% of...

The goal of Ethiopia’s Textile and Clothing (T & C) Value Chain Roadmap is to set the sector on the course of strategic development by addressing constraints in a comprehensive manner and defining concrete opportunities that can be realized through the specific steps detailed in its Plan of...

The sector for leather and leather products plays an important role in many of the poorest countries in Africa, and leather manufacturing can be a significant employment generator in a number of these countries. While leather imports into South Africa declined over five years to only US$ 109 million...

The goal of Kenya’s Textile and Clothing (T&C) Value Chain Roadmap is to set the sector on the course of strategic development by addressing constraints in a comprehensive manner and defining concrete opportunities that can be realized through the specific steps detailed in its Plan of Action...

Global value chains in services can boost economies of small developing countries. The case of Costa Rica illustrates how global value chains in services can enable small developing countries to be significant actors in twenty-first century trade and investment patterns, as well as the challenges to...

Understanding the global demand for environmental goods and services can unlock new export opportunities for developing country SMEs. This study provides a market overview of this complex sector, which reached an estimated US$ 866 billion in 2011, and is expected to rise to US$ 1.9 trillion by 2020...

Cotton by-products – such as cottonseed oil and oilcakes – can contribute meaningfully to reducing poverty, creating jobs and increasing economic growth in Africa. These derivatives can represent up to 30% of the value of seed cotton. Yet oil and cakes have not been fully exploited, despite a...

Study dealing with emerging fashion retail markets in 'advanced' developing countries - focuses on Brazil, China, India, Malaysia, Singapore and South Africa; for each market provides overall dynamics and economic growth potential, including expected market developments in specific product sectors;...

This guide deals with the relationship between the successful marketing of crafts and visual arts, and the appropriate use of intellectual property (IP) system instruments. It: identifies situations where obtaining formal IP protection ought to be considered explains how to implement...

This paper provides key information about the North American natural products market with a special focus on selected South American and African products. Natural products in the North American market have experienced strong market growth in the last decade as consumers increasingly demand...

Training module aiming to promote local creative industries in developing countries through the tourism value chain, with a view to poverty reduction. It explains how fostering artistic and cultural activities within tourism business chains can contribute to poverty reduction in a given location or...

This report outlines women’s roles in cotton production in Africa, Asia and Latin America. It compares women’s participation in the total workforce in these regions and suggests how to improve competitiveness by re-evaluating the roles of women.