Course Overview

This program provides a comprehensive understanding of modern trade policy, global trade governance, and the economic frameworks used by the World Bank and other international development partners. Participants gain the analytical, strategic, and negotiation skills required to design, evaluate, and implement effective trade policies that support sustainable development, regional integration, and inclusive economic growth.

2. Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

• Understand global trade systems, agreements, and regulatory frameworks.

• Analyze trade policies using World Bank and WTO methodologies.

• Assess the impact of tariffs, non‑tariff measures, subsidies, and trade facilitation reforms.

• Develop evidence‑based trade strategies for national and regional development.

• Strengthen negotiation skills for bilateral, regional, and multilateral trade agreements.

• Apply trade policy tools to support private‑sector competitiveness and export diversification.

• Produce policy briefs and trade diagnostics aligned with World Bank standards.

3. Target Audience

• Trade and Industry Ministry officials

• Economic planners and policy analysts

• Customs and trade facilitation officers

• International development practitioners

• Private‑sector trade and export professionals

• Regional economic community (REC) representatives

• World Bank–funded project teams

• Academics and researchers in trade and development

4. Detailed Course Outline

Module 1: Foundations of Trade Policy

• Principles of international trade

• Comparative advantage and global value chains

• Trade policy instruments: tariffs, quotas, NTMs

• Role of trade in economic development

• World Bank perspectives on trade and poverty reduction

Module 2: Global Trade Governance

• World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and disciplines

• Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs) and Free Trade Areas (FTAs)

• African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework

• Trade governance in World Bank–supported programs

• Dispute settlement mechanisms

Module 3: Trade Policy Analysis Tools

• Trade data sources: UNCTAD, ITC, World Bank WITS

• Tariff analysis and NTM mapping

• Trade competitiveness diagnostics

• Export diversification and product‑space analysis

• Assessing trade policy impacts on sectors and households

Module 4: Tariffs, Non‑Tariff Measures & Market Access

• Tariff structures and escalation

• Technical barriers to trade (TBT) and SPS measures

• Rules of origin and customs valuation

• Market access negotiations

• Implications for developing economies

Module 5: Trade Facilitation & Logistics

• WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA)

• Border management modernization

• Digital trade and e‑commerce readiness

• Supply chain efficiency and logistics performance

• World Bank Trade Facilitation Support Program (TFSP)

Module 6: Regional Integration & Economic Cooperation

• Regional value chains and industrialization

• AfCFTA implementation strategies

• Cross‑border infrastructure and trade corridors

• Harmonization of standards and regulatory cooperation

• Case studies from Africa, Asia, and Latin America

Module 7: Trade Negotiations & Diplomacy

• Negotiation frameworks and strategies

• Multilateral vs. bilateral negotiation dynamics

• Stakeholder engagement and consultation processes

• Simulation: negotiating a trade chapter in an FTA

• Preparing negotiation briefs and position papers

Module 8: Trade, Investment & Private Sector Development

• Linkages between trade policy and investment climate

• Export promotion and SME competitiveness

• Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and industrial policy

• Public–private dialogue mechanisms

• Role of trade in job creation and inclusive growth

Module 9: Contemporary Issues in Trade Policy

• Digital trade and data governance

• Climate change, carbon border adjustments, and green trade

• Gender‑responsive trade policy

• Geopolitics and global supply chain restructuring

• Trade resilience in times of crisis (pandemics, conflicts, shocks)

Module 10: Policy Design, Reporting & World Bank Alignment

• Conducting trade diagnostics and policy assessments

• Writing policy briefs and reform proposals

• Monitoring and evaluation of trade reforms

• Aligning national trade strategies with World Bank frameworks

• Capstone: Develop a trade policy intervention for a real‑world scenario

5. Training Methodology

• Expert‑led presentations and guided discussions

• Hands‑on data analysis using global trade databases

• Case studies from World Bank and WTO programs

• Group exercises and negotiation simulations

• Practical policy‑writing sessions

• Capstone project with peer and instructor feedback

6. Deliverables & Outputs

Participants will receive:

• A complete trade policy toolkit and resource pack

• Templates for policy briefs, negotiation notes, and diagnostic reports

• Access to trade data analysis tools and datasets

• Certificate of Completion from Regewall Training Institute