Kyiv, 10 March 2011 – There is considerable evidence of a positive mutual relationship between the openness of international trade and economic growth that in turn is necessary to secure a continuous reduction in poverty and the promotion of human development. However, reduced trade barriers and improved access to markets are often insufficient to let countries make use of all the potential advantages of trade liberalisation, says the Report. An important prerequisite consists of the availability of relevant institutions and capacities in these countries that would maximize the advantages of the new business opportunities provided by better access to other countries’ markets, new technologies and resources. The Blue Ribbon Analytical and Advisory Centre (BRAAC) – a project funded by the European Union and co-funded and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme in Ukraine – launched today an extensive assessment of Ukraine’s international trade development needs. The Report titled ‘Aid for Trade Needs Assessment – Ukraine: Trade and Human Development’ has been produced within UNDP regional Aid for Trade project ‘Wider Europe: Aid for Trade for Central Asia, South Caucasus and Western Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)’, financed within the framework of Finland’s Wider Europe Initiative.