about US
WELCOME TO IITD-UNIPORT.
Trade is strategic to economic growth and development. It is a critical engine of growth through employment generation, income and livelihood security and poverty reduction. Trade-led growth requires mutually beneficial agreements among trading partners, either as entities or countries. The growing complexity and competitiveness of global trade order have increased burdens on countries, particularly developing ones, in the areas of creating effective strategies that assure benefit from expanding but increasingly dynamic global trading order.
Nigeria and other countries of Africa participate in bilateral, regional and multilateral trade negotiations that shape the outlook of global trade.
Trade agreements largely deliver expanded market access to nations that have the capacity to conduct sound analysis of trade and trade policy, formulate negotiating mandates and articulate positions at the negotiating table. Trade development requires strategic policy focus, strong institutions and knowledgeable human resources. The changing dynamics of trade, trade facilitation and the global trade policy process require regular capacity updates to understand and participate effectively in the global trade process.
Our aim
The Institute of Trade and Development was established in University of Port Harcourt in October 2010 as a direct response to the observed trade related capacity gaps in trade policy processes in Nigeria and Africa. This is the pioneer institute directed at trade capacity building for academics and trade professionals in Nigeria. The key areas of intervention of the institute include:
- building critical mass of academics to support regular trade capacity building and sound analysis of complex trade issues as inputs into national, regional and global trade policy process.
- building capacity of governments and government agencies to understand and participate effectively in global trade policy process
- conduct research and publish analysis and opinion on on-going and emerging trade issues
- provide platform for debate and international collaboration on trade policy issues
OUR VISION
The vision of the institute is to be the leading research and academic institute in Trade and development Policies in Africa.
MISSION
The vision of the institute is to be the leading research and academic institute in Trade and development Policies in Africa.