Training Programme on International Trade and WTO

The Training Programme on International Trade and WTO, 15-31 March 2012, jointly organised by the Colombo Plan and the Korea International Cooperation Agency is to provide and understanding of Korea’s policies, systems and best practices in trade with other countries. The training programme was implemented by the Korea International Trade Association.

Training Programme on International Trade and WTO

There were 14 participants from 10 member countries of the Colombo Plan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Iran, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan, Thailand and Sri Lanka. The objective of the training programme is to share major issues and cases of the rapid Korean economic development which was driven by export-oriented trade policies. In addition, the training programme is to build capacity in real-world implementation skills on domestic and international trade policies in participants’ countries.

Lectures topics covered in the training programme are Korean Economic Development model and the role of government, analysis of international economy and the trade environment and Korean trade promotion and free trade policies under World Trade Organisation. Korea’s small and medium enterprise promotion policy and export support system and foreign direct investment support system under the World Trade Organisation system were also included. Two practical lessons covered in the training were the practical training system for Korean traders and support system for Korean trading companies in the private sector.

The group discussions and presentations were on economic status of participating countries and the growth strategy, government’s role and strategy for export promotion and on export promotion of a country’s major export under the world trade organisation system. Study visits were to the world trade centre, Korea International Trade Association, Hyundai motors, Hyundai heavy industries and to the Busan new port.