The pilot project, "Strengthening of Guinean capacities in the field of international trade through training, support to intermediate institutions and direct assistance to food-processing businesses and units", was signed in 2008. The project was launched in October in cooperation with the Ministry on Trade and Competitiveness of Guinea. A plan of action defining key priorities was developed, covering activities in the fields of trade facilitation, international investments agreements and transit systems.
It was implemented by two UN agencies (UNCTAD and the International Trade Centre (ITC)), national authorities (including the Ministry of Commerce of Guinea) and the French Development Agency (AFD). UNCTAD was in charge of the capacity building activities with two main objectives:
1: To develop capacity in Guinea to formulate policies and strategies in the field of international trade
Related activities:
- Needs analysis and setting up the priorities for trade facilitation. The mission was conducted in May 2009. An introductory workshop for 40 participants was organised, and support to the Guinean authorities related to trade facilitation was offered.
- Seminar on building capacity on international investment agreements was conducted using distance learning methodology.
2: To strengthen the capacity of trade support institutions
Related activities:
- Organisation of regular meetings related to project coordination.
- Organisation of a training of trainers seminar related to distance learning methodology.
- A subcommittee on trade facilitation was established at the Ministry of Trade and Competitiveness to oversee the development of the project.
- 14 officers in charge of foreign trade issues in Guinea strengthened their skills on understanding and analysing issues related to bilateral investment, the investment chapters of free trade agreements, and on the analysis of the negotiations of the Economic Partnership Agreement and its potential impact.
- 23 of the participants in the TrainForTrade courses were educated to be co-trainers and trainers, in order to develop local training capacity in Guinea. They have the capacity to disseminate and co-lead seminars and thematic teaching using face-to-face and distance learning methods.
