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b y Bader Al-Dafa Under Secretary-General Executive Secretary UNCTAD XII, Ghana, 23 April 2008. Promoting Aid-for-Trade In the ESCWA Region. ESCWA consists of 13 Members. WTO members (8): Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia & UAE Observer Status (3):
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by Bader Al-Dafa Under Secretary-General Executive Secretary UNCTAD XII, Ghana, 23 April 2008 Promoting Aid-for-Trade In the ESCWA Region
ESCWA consists of 13 Members WTO members (8): Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia & UAE Observer Status (3): Iraq, Lebanon & Yemen Non-WTO members (2): Palestine & Syria
Developing economies, despite huge oil revenues in some countries Modest institutional & infrastructural base Emerging private sector Dominance of the public sector, despite recent liberalization & privatization Main Features of the ESCWA Region Major Indicators (%) Source: (1) Annual Reviewof Developments in Globalization and Regional Integration in the Arab Countries, ESCWA (2007) (2) Statistical Abstract of the ESCWA Region, ESCWA (2007)
The ESCWA Region as a Recipient GDP per capita (2003-2005) Source: World Development Indicators Database, World Bank (2007)
OECD ODA to ESCWA Region • ESCWA member countries received US$14.7 billion (14%) of the world’s total ODA in 2006 • ODA distribution has been concentrated on social infrastructure rather than economic infrastructure & services & production • Social-infra remains the priority for the region (water & sewage, education, health, housing, rural development)
The ESCWA Region as a Donor • ESCWA Region provided US$3.3 billion in 2006, which went to the region (62%), Asia (22%), Africa (15%) & Latin America (1%) Sectoral Distribution of Aid from the Arab Region (2006) Source: Unified Arab Economic Report, Arab Monetary Fund (2007)
AFT to Address Supply-Side Constraints & Market Access Challenges Trade policy & negotiation skills constraints AFT Low competitiveness of exports Infrastructure constraints Lack of adequate regional trade facilitation measures
Procedural Requirements forExporting & Importing by Selected Region Source: World Bank Group (2007)
National governments need to… A Conducive Environment for AFT Develop Trade Strategies Commit to Mainstream Trade Identify Trade-related Priority Needs Improve Coordination Mechanism
Alignment of AFT with priorities focusing on national strategies Increase in the amount of concessional aid Effective coordination among donors & harmonization of donor procedures Systemized review, monitoring & evaluation to enhance transparency & efficiency Enhanced integration into the multilateral trading system Opportunities Furnished by the AFT Initiative for the ESCWA Region
AFT Global debate should be inclusive of all regions Streamline AFT definition, scope and approach to be consistent with the objectives of South-South Cooperation and Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness AFT delivery should be more demand-driven Implement AFT Task Force Recommendations Expand “Enhanced Integrated Framework” What needs to be done?
As all UN RCs, ESCWA is well positioned to assist in the implementation of the AFT initiative. Promote & support future AFT debate (ensuring participation of the ESCWA Region) Assist member countries and donorsin surveying AFT priority needs in relevant areas What can ESCWA do?
Monitor & assess the impact & efficiency of tailored AFT funding on productive capacity & trade performance Continue to provide target-oriented technical assistance for member countries Encourage dialogue between member countries, donors and relevant regional organizations …What ESCWA can do?
Ensuring Integration of AFT in ESCWA Overall Strategy Economic Development & Globalization Cross-Cutting Issues - Capacity building for trade - Promote private-public partnerships Trade Transport/ Maritime Financing For Development - Strengthen the private sector Economic Analysis - Promote South-South Cooperation Environment ICT
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