New WTO thematic course on trade policy analysis begins
The WTO Thematic Course on Trade Policy Analysis, attended by 26 participants from around the world, (to open) in Geneva on 5 May and (conclude) on 9 May 2014.
This newly developed course (to offer) as part of the WTO technical assistance and capacity building courses. It (to implement) within the WTO’s Progressive Learning Strategy and (to represent) “level 3” — the highest level of “specialist” training.
The course (to base) on the joint publication UNCTAD/WTO Practical Guide to Trade Policy Analysis. It (to design) by the WTO Economic Research and Statistics Division and delivered jointly with the WTO Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation.
The ability to conduct high quality analyses of trade data (to be) essential for decision making. Multilateral, regional and bilateral trade negotiations, as well as the formulation and implementation of appropriate policies at a national level, (to require) an extensive analysis of economic data and an assessment of the impact of trade policy decisions.
The purpose of this advanced level, specialized course (to be) for the participants to learn how to select the appropriate approach to answer their trade policy research question, how to collect the data and implement the analysis. During the course, participants (to become) familiar with sources of data (focussing on trade in goods) and with methodologies for trade and trade policy analysis, including calculation of trade flows and trade policy indicators, the gravity model for trade and the partial equilibrium model. The course also (to be) a platform for discussion on ways to enhance the use of research in policy making.