CLDP Virtually Hosts the 10th Annual Middle East Vis Pre-Moot
Amidst the global impact of the coronavirus, the Annual Willem C. Vis Moot in Vienna and Hong Kong was cancelled. More than 400 teams from over 80 countries had anticipated to compete in the premier program this April. In response, on March 10-14, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, CLDP, in cooperation with the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for International Legal Education and the Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution, successfully converted...
El Salvador: CLDP Organizes Textile Consultations and CAFTA-DR Workshop
On February 24-26, 2020, CLDP, in collaboration with USTR, organized a series of consultations for a delegation of 11 U.S. textiles industry experts to assess Salvadoran textile and apparel capabilities in San Salvador, El Salvador. The U.S. delegation was also accompanied by representatives from USTR, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and ITA's Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA).
Salvadoran textile and apparel producers of all sizes struggle with effective design and marketing, which affects their ability to create new business opportunities with U.S. customers. These struggles are further intensified by lack of effective higher education programs in design and marketing in El Salvador. Similarly, apprentice and smaller-scale U.S. designers and entrepreneurs often face challenges finding companies to produce small runs or custom products. Recognizing the mutual benefits of marrying these opportunities, CLDP and USTR brought a delegation of U.S. fashion SMEs and educators, to meet with nine Salvadoran enterprises of varying sizes to foster a dialogue exploring trade and education opportunities. The Salvadoran enterprises included large, sophisticated exporting companies, small and medium-sized textiles and apparel producers, budding fashion entrepreneurs, and relevant government agency representatives. During the consultations, U.S. experts advised Salvadoran colleagues on practical methods to improving marketing strategies, developing business opportunities, enhancing supply chain efficiencies, and addressing sourcing issues within the CAFTA region.
As a result of these consultations, the Salvadoran counterparts gained an in-depth understanding of how U.S. fashion SMEs are trained and operate their businesses, what challenges they face, and how both parties can collaborate on robust business opportunities. The consultations also contribute to the CLDP-USTR Program’s sustainability through educational exchange opportunities between the participants. These consultations form part of CLDP-USTR’s three-year capacity-building program to improve regional prosperity by fostering human and institutional capacity to improve the competitiveness of the Salvadoran industry and enhance export opportunities along the full US–CAFTA-DR supply chain.
The consultations concluded with a one-day workshop on textile and apparel provisions within the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) on February 27, 2020. In attendance were more than 125 Northern Triangle textile and apparel industry representatives from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, as well as Salvadoran government officials and university representatives. The Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Textiles, Bill Jackson, opened the workshop with a discussion on CAFTA textile and apparel trade in terms of global commerce. Over the course of the workshop, Salvadoran participants were introduced to technical textile and apparel provisions of the CAFTA-DR including short supply, verification procedures, and rules of origin. USG experts encouraged participants to apply the technical knowledge to their own businesses through active discussions and interactive case studies. The workshop aimed to strengthen the industry’s understanding and utilization of the CAFTA-DR to enhance the U.S.-regional supply chain. As a result of this workshop, industry representatives from the Northern Triangle - El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras - will be better able to utilize the CAFTA-DR to source yarn and textiles and to strengthen the regional supply chain, thereby increasing economic growth and development for the industry in the region.
Morocco: CLDP Provides Technical Support for Handicraft Exports
On January 13-18, 2020, in Marrakech, CLDP led a series of activities focusing on increasing handicraft exports. The first activity involved an assessment of the largest handicraft exposition. In addition, CLDP led a workshop on streamlining handicraft exports and launched the new Handicraft Export Guide. Second only to agriculture in terms of employment, the handicraft sector in Morocco is essential for income distribution and job growth across socio-economic levels, particularly for women, and is an important factor in maintaining social and political stability.
Ethiopia: Public-Private Partnerships Foundation Workshop and Exam
On December 19-20, CLDP, in collaboration with Ethiopia’s Ministry of Finance and the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Directorate, held a two-day workshop on PPP fundamentals. The workshop highlighted PPP process, structure economics, project financing, and revenue flow. CLDP utilized the highly-respected APMG PPP Certification Program to distill globally agreed-upon definitions, concepts, and best practices on PPPs.
Mali: Power Procurement and the Tender Process
On December 16-17, CLDP held a two-day workshop on power project procurement. The workshop sought to improve the planning of bids from prep to closing through a discussion on international best practices relating to the request for proposals (RfPs), unsolicited proposals, standardization of documents, designing a competitive bid round, evaluations and identifying gaps in the current legal framework. The workshop included participants from Mali’s President’s office, New and Renewable Energy of Mali (FENEM), Mali Energy (EDM), Mali National Directorate of Energy (DNE), the Investment Promotion of Mali (API), Mali's Renewable Energy Agency (AER), and the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) unit.
CLDP in Action
On December 12, in Manama, Bahrain, CLDP held a workshop focused on technology transfer for representatives from government, academia, and the startup community.
Upcoming Programs
In July, August, and September 2020, CLDP, in collaboration with USTR and the University of Missouri, will provide virtual business fundamental courses to 20 Salvadoran textile representatives....
In July 2020, CLDP will organize a webinar to discuss the two different steps for feasibility.
CLDP's mission is to improve the legal environment for doing business in developing and transitional countries around the globe and thereby foster greater political stability and economic opportunity for local entrepreneurs and U.S. companies alike.