Southern Caucasus: Trade Policy Capacity Building 1999–2006

This CIDA-funded project focused on facilitating the successful accession of Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and assisting in the development of further domestic capacity for effective participation in the WTO once the countries become members. The project has provided short-term technical assistance to the local Ministries responsible for the WTO issues, longer-term capacity building through the further development of a self-financing local think tank (ICTPL Georgia), and the development of local training capacity in Georgia and Armenia. Serving initially as an adjunct to the trade ministry and later to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ICTPL Georgia initially provided research, analysis, and negotiation resources to further Georgia's WTO and regional integration interests. As the capacity of the ministry was itself increased, ICTPL Georgia took on other roles. First, it has worked with business, civil society, and academia to providing extend training and information services.