Overall objective in the Medium-Term Plan (MTP)

To support the efforts of the countries to take advantage of the benefits of trade opening and the establishment of free trade areas through the development of competitive agribusinesses and the promotion of trade.  (2006-2010 Medium-Term Plan)

Objective of the Policy and Trade Area

To support the member countries of the Institute as they seek to improve the technical skills of their public officials and agricultural business operations to ensure:

• More active and informed participation in negotiation processes and in the effective implementation of trade agreements and economic integration agreements;
• The design and implementation of public programs and policies for agricultural and rural development that are compatible with the multilateral regulatory framework;
• An analysis of the impact of policies and programs implemented in the individual countries or regions and of trends with regard to trade, production and the prices of agrifood products.