Regional integration, value chains and SMEs

The landscape of international trade has changed in the past three decades. In addition to the rise of international value chains (IVCs), the world has seen a new wave of trade integration initiatives. While trade negotiations at the multilateral level have slowed down, there has been a proliferation of trade agreements at the regional level as well as a new generation of integration initiatives with wider and deeper policy coverage. Two phenomena – the growth of international value chains and deeper regional integration – are the defining elements of contemporary trade policy. They are also likely to have been mutually reinforcing.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Decent Work and Economic Growth

Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure