• by Supachai Panitchpakdi
• Tuesday, May 31, 2011
• Inter Press Service

In the past two decades, it has often been claimed that trade liberalization can, on balance, be a positive force for development. During this time, the Least Development Countries (LDCs) themselves became some of the most open economies in the world, based on the share of their exports in Gross Domestic Product (GDP). But greater opening of LDCs markets has not always benefitted all people in these countries, and the impact of trade reforms has affected their populations differentially, writes Supachai Panitchpakdi, Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

In general, trade liberalisation can have strong redistributive effects within the economy, potentially benefitting some industrial sectors and harming others. At a more disaggregated level, such effects can also magnify or reduce existing disparities among different groups based on gender, ethnicity, class, and geography. With regard to gender, trade policies can have strong differential impacts on men and women. The degree of difference will depend on a number of factors, including existing gender patterns within the division of labour, structural inequalities in the ownership of assets, educational level and entitlements, and the pattern of (traditional) gender roles.

Addressing the challenges and opportunities of pursuing a more equal and inclusive economy, in which women can equitably share in the benefits from trade and enjoy an equal share of income and assets generally, will require attention at a number of levels. Countries must seek ways of reorienting globalisation so that it better serves the needs of all.

(*) Supachai Panitchpakdi, Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

// NOT FOR PUBLICATION IN CANADA, CZECH REPUBLIC, IRELAND, POLAND, AND THE UNITED STATES //

© Inter Press Service (2011) — All Rights Reserved. Original source: Inter Press Service

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