Discussion paper

Taking Action on Trade: From Concern to Support

January 13, 2021

Given the role that banks play in supporting people, companies, and economic systems, they are among the most essential conduits of stability and economic activity. Their collective voice regarding the support needed is an important form of market intelligence for institutions that seek to support emerging markets and developing economies during this pandemic.

This note is the third of a “Trade and COVID Trilogy” that compiles trade-related findings from more than 70 “Daily News Summaries,” as well as data sources from late March to early December, 2020. It investigates COVID-19-related trade restrictions and discusses their consequences. It also illuminates the importance of trade, especially during the current pandemic, through the voices of global leaders as well as a collective set of emerging market voices gathered by a future IFC publication, “COVID-19 and Other Challenges for Trade Finance in EMDEs: An overview of IFC’s Annual Issuing Bank Survey,” further details of which will be forthcoming.