Neil Balchin

Economist with expertise in trade, economic transformation & international development. Economic Adviser @commonwealthsec, former @ODI_Global. Views are my own.

[Neil Balchin @BalchinNeil]

The #Commonwealth Trade Ministers Meeting in June occurred amid challenging times for global #trade. Read my reflections for The Roundtable on the significance of this meeting and how its outcomes will support growth and development in the Commonwealth: https://t.co/AHzb3qhchq

[Neil Balchin @BalchinNeil]

Curious how #US tariffs will affect #Commonwealth trade? @kimkampel @tbmunthali @Zhuawu, Atilla Sharan and I have assessed the trade implications and wider economic impacts of different tariffs announced by the US for Commonwealth countries. Check it out: https://t.co/zs1s0TssSf

[The Commonwealth @commonwealthsec]

Caribbean & Pacific businesses driving climate-positive change — this is your moment.

🔗 https://t.co/2c9T2HoS1e Apply for the Commonwealth Investment Network Accelerator by 31 Oct.

Advice & support
Growth-focused mentorship
Access to stakeholders & investor pitching

[Neil Balchin @BalchinNeil]

Attention climate-positive SMEs or projects in Caribbean and Pacific SIDS:

Applications are open for the #CommonwealthInvestmentNetwork (CIN's) climate positive accelerator:
https://t.co/x8Sk1bmXDr - apply by 31 October.
@commonwealthsec

[Neil Balchin @BalchinNeil]

Small states often struggle to attract the #investment needed to drive diversification, #growth and #development.
@kimkampel and I explore how small states can overcome these challenges and enhance their competitiveness as investment destinations. #Commonwealth #FDI

[The Commonwealth @commonwealthsec]

In 2023, #Commonwealth small states received just 15% of Foreign Direct Investment & 1.8% of greenfield projects.

A new blog by Neil Balchin & Kim Kampel shows how smart investment can fuel resilience, diversification and growth.

🔗 https://t.co/uHNJnCYUMc

#CommonwealthTrade

[Neil Balchin @BalchinNeil]

Small states often struggle to attract #investment due to structural vulnerabilities. To help address these challenges, @kimkampel and I examine innovative policies, models, and strategies to support inward investment for #Commonwealth #small #states here: https://t.co/l5YVxrXxQZ

[SAWTEE @sawteenp]

Digitally deliverable services (DDS) have become a significant part of global trade, accounting for more than half of worldwide services exports and reaching $4.2 trillion in 2023. South Asia has emerged as a key exporter in this sector, with 73% of the region’s total services exports delivered digitally. Expanding and diversifying high-value DDS exports could further contribute to economic growth in the region.

In the latest issue of Trade Insight, @dr_salamatali , Kyle de Klerk, and @BalchinNeil provide an overview of South Asia’s DDS exports, examine recent trends, and discuss policy considerations to support further growth across the eight member countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

Read Article: https://t.co/besJYBXUcS

[Neil Balchin @BalchinNeil]

73% of South Asia's #services #exports are delivered #digitally. @dr_salamatali, @Kyle_de_Klerk and I examine recent trends in the region's digitally delivered services exports and consider their future growth prospects. #TradeInsights @sawteenp
https://t.co/bQF2OHveCZ

[Neil Balchin @BalchinNeil]

Hot off the press! My article with @dr_salamatali and @Kyle_de_Klerk for the latest edition of the Asia-Pacific Sustainable Development Journal examines potential linkages between #services #exports and structural #transformation in Asia-Pacific #LDCs. https://t.co/TyXARDWM27

[Dr Salamat Ali @dr_salamatali]

As the @SIDS4AB Conference begins in @antiguabarbuda, we (@BalchinNeil , @brendan_vickers and @victor Kitange ) share our thoughts to build resilience against three key structural challenges these countries face.
https://t.co/FAPC3XoEgt

[Neil Balchin @BalchinNeil]

Digitally delivered #services #exports by #Commonwealth countries are growing rapidly and outpacing commercial services exports and merchandise exports. @dr_salamatali, Kyle de Klerk, @Zhuawu and I explore their drivers and ways to expand them further. https://t.co/2jn5AESMAc

[Neil Balchin @BalchinNeil]

My latest publication, co-authored with Lisa Borgatti and launched today by the @commonwealthsec and @UNCTAD Secretary Generals, explores the potential for #IPRs to help drive #Innovation and structural transformation in #LDCs.
Advance copy available here: https://t.co/eOmb6nmEhB

[The Commonwealth @commonwealthsec]

Least developed countries can use innovation and tech upgrading to boost economic growth and development.

Join the #Commonwealth Secretariat and @UNCTAD on 29 January for the launch of our joint report which explores the critical role of intellectual property rights.

Register⬇️

[Neil Balchin @BalchinNeil]

My article for @wef highlights 5 priorities for more environmentally and socially friendly #textiles and #garment #production and #trade. Details below:

[World Economic Forum @wef]

Here's how producers can be incentivized to adopt environmentally and socially responsible practices. @BalchinNeil @commonwealthsec

https://t.co/3TZBiE0YFX

[Neil Balchin @BalchinNeil]

A few thoughts with @swati13072020 on maximising benefits from the #LDC Services Waiver and why we need:
- Better data on LDCs’ services trade
- More capacity building + TA for LDC governments & service suppliers
- Greater awareness of preferences & better monitoring
#DevMatters

[OECD Development @OECDdev]

Services is the fastest growing segment of int'l trade. Yet service exports from least developed countries make up less than 1% of global services trade.

Would improving the implementation the #LDC Waiver help? ⤵️ #DevMatters @BalchinNeil @swati13072020 https://t.co/JQQ0BMMDmt

[Neil Balchin @BalchinNeil]

Our new @commonwealthsec book on "Sustainable Production and Trade: Perspectives from the Commonwealth" highlights practices that can help the transition to a greener and more #sustainable future. Read more here: https://t.co/LU2DpOauZo.

[Neil Balchin @BalchinNeil]

In a new @commonwealthsec & OECS book on trade-related policy options to support #resilient and #sustainable post-#COVID19 recovery, @ColettevdVen and I look at how the #OECS can leverage #trade agreements to harness opportunities in #digital trade: https://t.co/qxOi8us65M

[Neil Balchin @BalchinNeil]

Faster trade and economic growth is required in #LDCs to achieve the #DPoA targets. We identify key levers and drivers of #trade and #investment to narrow #LDC growth gaps and realise the Plan’s ambitions. #LDC5 Read here: https://t.co/2O22og5tVR

[Neil Balchin @BalchinNeil]

As the @UN #LDC5 conference draws to a close, it is time to move forward with concrete actions to realise the #DPoA #growth targets. Our blog for @OECD_Centre #DevMatters discusses how to narrow the gap between ambitions and realities for #LDC #development.

[OECD Development @OECDdev]

If all 46 countries in the @UN's “Least Developed” category achieve annual GDP growth of at least 7️⃣% by 2031, their combined GDP could almost double.

How can we help them get there?
#LDC5 | #DevMatters | @brendan_vickers | @dr_salamatali | @BalchinNeil https://t.co/dhYcw94vyk