Considering that primary commodity dependence continues to be a major problem of various lower income countries, we analyze whether Aid for Trade (AfT) has helped recipient countries upgrade and diversify their exports. Estimating an asymmetric and aggregated gravity model, we find that AfT has...

1. Introduction: World Trade Organization, Trade and Opportunities -- 2. Trade Policy and Price-based Barriers -- 3. Non-Tariff Barriers and Trade Flows -- 4. Trade, Environment and Climate Change -- 5. RTAs and Trade Integration -- 6. Emerging Issues under WTO -- 7. Conclusion.

The Aid for Trade (AfT) initiative has gained much popularity since its launch at the World Trade Organization’s Ministerial Conference in 2005, and there are ongoing discussions on its effectiveness and potential to improve the integration of developing countries into the world economy. This...