Trade & Economic Integration
Trade & Economic Integration
Strengthening trade capacity, regional integration, and economic transformation across OACPS regions
The Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) supports its 79 Member States in advancing inclusive, sustainable economic growth through trade, investment, value addition, and regional integration.
As a central component of the PACTE Initiative (2025-2030), Trade & Economic Integration focuses on strengthening economic analysis, supporting trade policy development, enhancing private sector engagement, and amplifying the collective voice of OACPS Member States in global trade forums.
Trade & Economic Integration under PACTE
Under Pillar II of the PACTE Initiative, OACPS trade and economic action is designed to:
- Strengthen Member States’ trade and industrial policy capacity
- Promote regional and global economic integration
- Support value addition and productive transformation
- Facilitate private sector participation and investment
- Enhance collective engagement in multilateral trade negotiations
This pillar responds directly to the evolving global trade environment and the priorities of developing economies within the Samoa Agreement framework.
Core Programmes & Thematic Areas
Trade and Investment Facilitation
OACPS supports Member States to improve their trade and investment environments through:
- Trade facilitation reforms
- Investment policy frameworks
- Support for regional and international trade agreements
- Technical assistance to national administrations
Value Chains Development
To promote economic diversification and resilience, OACPS focuses on:
- Regional and global value chains
- Value addition in commodities and critical raw materials
- Sustainable industrialization
- Linkages between trade, climate, and development objectives
MSME Development
Recognizing MSMEs as engines of growth, OACPS supports:
- MSME integration into regional and global markets
- Access to finance and markets
- Policy frameworks that enable entrepreneurship
- Private sector competitiveness and innovation
WTO Negotiations & Relations with International Organisations (Geneva, Switzerland)
OACPS plays a critical role in
- Coordinating Member States’ positions in WTO negotiations
- Engaging with international trade institutions and partners in Geneva
- Supporting collective advocacy on:
- Special and Differential Treatment
- Development concerns
- Trade and sustainable development
This coordination strengthens the negotiating capacity and visibility of OACPS Member States in multilateral fora.
Coordination of the OACPS Business Forum
The OACPS Business Forum is the flagship private sector engagement platform of the Organisation, fostering dialogue between governments, businesses, investors, and development partners.
The Forum supports:
- Investment promotion
- Public-private dialogue
- Trade and investment partnerships
- South–South and triangular cooperation
Explore Trade & Economic Integration by Region
Africa
- Regional integration and AfCFTA-related engagement
- Industrialisation and value chains
- Trade facilitation and investment promotion
Caribbean
- Trade diversification for SIDS
- MSME competitiveness
- Services trade and digital economy
Pacific
- Market access challenges for small economies
- Trade resilience and connectivity
- Sustainable economic integration
Strategic Linkages Under Pacte
Trade & Economic Integration is closely linked with other PACTE pillars:
Climate Action & Resilience
- Green value chains, sustainable trade
Democratic Governance
- Transparent institutions and regulatory frameworks
Institutional Modernization
- Digital trade data, analytics, and monitoring
Impact & Expected Results
By 2030, the Trade & Economic Integration pillar aims to deliver:
- Stronger national trade and industrial policies
- Enhanced participation of OACPS Member States in global trade
- Increased regional value addition and MSME competitiveness
- Improved coordination in WTO and multilateral trade negotiations
- Deeper private sector engagement through the OACPS Business Forum
Partnering for Inclusive Economic Transformation
Trade and economic integration are central to sustainable development. Through PACTE, the OACPS is working with Member States, the private sector, and international partners to unlock economic opportunities and strengthen resilience.
