BKP Economic Advisors (BKP) is an economic research and consulting firm owned and managed by its five partners, and with a core staff of about thirty experts. The company was established in 2006 and is based in Munich and Berlin (Germany) with associates in Canada, Ethiopia, and Ghana.

Gender, Social Inclusion and Trade

The nexus between Trade and Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI) has attracted increasing attention in recent years and has led to important international political consensus, including the WTO’s 2017 Buenos Aires Declaration on Women and Trade. However, the trade and GESI agenda still faces significant challenges as it has not yet been translated into many practical actions, with uncertainty often remaining on how to approach the objective of fostering trade that is both socially inclusive and helps reduce gender inequalities.

The impact of covid-19 for trade and trade facilitation along the Ethiopia-Djibouti corridor

As part of the project "Improving Trade Facilitation Environment in IGAD Region" which we're implementing with the Pan-African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PACCI), the Secretariat of the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD) and the African Development Bank, a briefing paper has just been published. It provides a rapid assessment of the immediate effects of COVID-19 on trade and trade facilitation in the IGAD region, with a particular focus on the Ethiopia-Djibouti corridor. Download the paper from PACCI's website.

Ex post evaluations of two EU trade agreements

For the European Commission's DG TRADE, we are conducting ex post evaluations of the EU's trade agreements with Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, and with Central America. The two studies assess the economic, social, environmental and human rights impacts of the trade agreements, as well as the performance of the implementation and monitoring institutions established under them.

More information is available on the respective evaluation study websites: EU-Colombia/Ecuador/Peru and EU-Central America.

 

Advancing Gender Equality through Voluntary Standards for Trade

Voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) have emerged as one of the main tools used to articulate, encourage and enforce sustainable and ethical practices in global value chains. With this study we explore the nature and evolution of VSS and assess their potential contribution to gender equality and women’s empowerment (SDG 5). The purpose of the study is to enable policymakers in developing and emerging economies to identify opportunities to engage with VSS initiatives as a means to deliver on gender commitments while also promoting trade and economic development.