Competitiveness of, and Challenges for, ACP Countries in the Current International Trading Environment

Table 6: Priorities for trade-related technical cooperation programmes proposed by enterprises and business associations in selected ACP countries (Percentage of all answers, ranked by the sum of the percentages for each priority)

Proposed priorities Associations Enterprises

Strengthening trade finance 76% 82%

Strengthening trade promotion institutions 76% 69%

Providing up-to-date information on market trends in international markets 82% 62%

Assistance in developing national strategy for trade development 63% 61%

Assistance in improving human resource development facilities 66% 51%

Assistance in selecting trade and investment partners abroad 50% 57%

Development of transport services 47% 52%

Upgrading telecommunications, roads, electricity and water 42% 49%

Streamlining customs procedures 42% 44%

Providing up-to-date information on import tariffs, non-tariff barriers 45% 35%

Assistance in quality control 34% 44%

Training in international marketing management 47% 26%

Providing up-to-date information on market access in post Uruguay Round context 34% 26%

Streamline national taxation 24% 31%

Assistance in product adaptation and development 26% 19%

Training in packaging 24% 21%

Streamlining bureaucracy 13% 22%

Guidance in international purchasing and supply management 13% 18%

Support in acquiring relevant technology 16% 9%

Streamline national import tariffs 5% 18%

Reduction of import duties/non-tariff barriers in target markets 11% 10%

Development of the legal framework for international trade 5% 10%

Need for the recognition of the private sector concerns 5% 9%

Facilitate access to international markets in general 8% 6%

Make policies more conducive to international business development 3% 7%

Assistance in reducing production cost 3% 6%

Reduce corruption/bribery 0% 8%

Strengthening of local enterprises in general 3% 5%

Develop trade support services in general 3% 5%

Relaxing the foreign exchange controls 0% 6%

Solutions to problems resulting from difficult geographical access 0% 6%

Facilitate access to raw materials 0% 2%

Promote privatization 0% 1%

Source: Survey carried out by the International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO, 1997.
Last Updated on 29/10/97
By Elias

*Proposed priorities*	*Associations*	*Enterprises*
Strengthening trade finance	76%	82%
Strengthening trade promotion institutions	76%	69%
Providing up-to-date information on market trends in international markets	82%	62%
Assistance in developing national strategy for trade development	63%	61%
Assistance in improving human resource development facilities	66%	51%
Assistance in selecting trade and investment partners abroad	50%	57%
Development of transport services	47%	52%
Upgrading telecommunications, roads, electricity and water	42%	49%
Streamlining customs procedures	42%	44%
Providing up-to-date information on import tariffs, non-tariff barriers	45%	35%
Assistance in quality control	34%	44%
Training in international marketing management	47%	26%
Providing up-to-date information on market access in post Uruguay Round context	34%	26%
Streamline national taxation	24%	31%
Assistance in product adaptation and development	26%	19%
Training in packaging	24%	21%
Streamlining bureaucracy	13%	22%
Guidance in international purchasing and supply management	13%	18%
Support in acquiring relevant technology	16%	9%
Streamline national import tariffs	5%	18%
Reduction of import duties/non-tariff barriers in target markets	11%	10%
Development of the legal framework for international trade	5%	10%
Need for the recognition of the private sector concerns	5%	9%
Facilitate access to international markets in general	8%	6%
Make policies more conducive to international business development	3%	7%
Assistance in reducing production cost	3%	6%
Reduce corruption/bribery	0%	8%
Strengthening of local enterprises in general	3%	5%
Develop trade support services in general	3%	5%
Relaxing the foreign exchange controls	0%	6%
Solutions to problems resulting from difficult geographical access	0%	6%
Facilitate access to raw materials	0%	2%
Promote privatization	0%	1%