IDB - Inter-American Development Bank

Published purpose

This grant is Canada’s contribution to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for its Aid for Trade programming. The goal of Aid for Trade is to help developing countries to engage effectively in trade negotiations with other countries and to implement trade reforms and projects within their own country. The IDB focuses its Aid for Trade support in four main areas: (i) trade policy, trade negotiations, and the implementation of trade agreements; (ii) trade facilitation and private sector development; (iii) connecting to markets that are complementary to existing physical infrastructure; and (iv) helping countries reduce barriers to trade. The economic empowerment of women is addressed within each of these areas. Activities include helping countries to overcome obstacles to trade; helping producers gain greater access to global agricultural markets; and increasing coordination between donor countries and beneficiary countries with respect to trade programming at the global level. The Aid for Trade Initiative was launched in 2005, as a result of an agreement between World Trade Organization members to help developing countries use trade as an engine for growth and poverty reduction. The Aid-for-Trade Initiative helps developing countries build the production capacity and trade-related infrastructure needed to implement and benefit from trade agreements and to expand their trade. It also supports the implementation of trade facilitation measures and the improvement of trade standards.