The Growing Role of Trade as a Development Assistance Mechanism

GAO reviewed how four developing countries use trade in their economic development and how bilateral and multilateral donors assist developing countries in the area of trade. The objectives of the review were to examine for Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia, the role of trade in their development and the existing and/or potential obstacles to implementing and/or maintaining a successful trade strategy. In addition, GAO examined how these obstacles are being addressed.