Spreading the Benefits of Globalization: How the International Donor Community Assisted Developing Countries to Integrate into the Global Economy

Since colonial times, measures have been put in place to provide market access, build trade capacities and overcome supply-side constraints to trade in the developing world. In the 1960s the focus was on stimulating developing country imports, to help poorer countries move through the stages of development. In the 1970s the focus shifted to promoting exports. Structural adjustment programmes followed in the 1980s. Later, when it was realized that market access was not sufficient for trade expansion, the international community mobilized more and better aid for trade to help developing countries build the necessary capacities to compete in the global marketplace. Such programmes have often failed, yet aid has undoubtedly helped to promote trade, development and a more inclusive world economy.