The results of the advisory services provided by the GTZ Trade Programme can be illustrated on the basis of their contribution to BMZ’s ability to better represent development interests in trade-related policy processes at the international level. With support of the GTZ Trade Programme, BMZ is actively promoting a development-friendly design of EU trade policies, e.g. regarding negotiations of Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA). During the German EU Presidency in 2007, BMZ initiated the formulation of the EU Strategy on Aid for Trade which was adopted in October 2007.

In November 2007, the EU and Caribbean countries have initialled a comprehensive regional EPA. Following this, GTZ has supported BMZ in the analysis of the development implications of the agreement, enabling policy makers and other stakeholders in the EU and in the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries to derive conclusions for the ongoing EPA negotiations in other regions. The studies are being widely disseminated and used as reference material at workshops and conferences.

In the area of trade related intellectual property rights, GTZ supports a BMZ initiative aimed at improved access to essential medicines and at promoting local pharmaceutical production in developing countries. The capacity and ability of partners to fully utilise TRIPS flexibilities is enhanced. In East Africa the efforts of GTZ have resulted in the implementation of several Public-Private-Partnerships with local pharmaceutical companies. A regional project to support the Secretariat of the East African Community in developing capacity in the area of TRIPS and pharmaceutical sector promotion through short and long-term expertise has been initiated.

The Trade Programme has assisted several developing countries through BMZ in consultations on negotiations for accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and has advised BMZ on the handling of the sensitive issue of cotton subsidies in the European Union and the United States, particularly with regard to their consequences for some of the poorer African nations. Awareness on this issue has increased globally and BMZ has further supported a number of international initiatives of the cotton producing countries.