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est. LDC governments need to not only pursue domestic policies thatexpand internal markets, and also put in place appropriate incentivesto promote exports. Policies which create a bias against exportsshould be eliminated, while policies that enable access to cheaperinputs should be encouraged. This means LDCs should adopt morestrategic trade policies while also taking into account the challengenow posed by climate change to the traditional path of industrialdevelopment.I should however point out that by putting great efforts in regionalintegration processes, African LDCs are taking domestic policy actionto build larger regional markets as platforms for diversification.LDCs continue to require the support of the international communityand development partnersAfrican LDCs continue to need partnerships in their efforts to deepenregional markets, maintain stable macroeconomic conditions,provide a conductive legal and regulatory framework for investors,and to undertake targeted investments to improve physical infrastructureand human capital and to create jobs. These factors tallywith the recommendations in the CEB’s cluster position paper. Suchsupport should also extend to providing improved market access forLDCs including in the context of Aid for Trade.These issues point to the need for an improved common preferenceschemeWithout help, LDCs will not be able to develop viable and globallycompetitive manufacturing sectors. They should therefore be supportedthrough the provision of privileged market access to developedand emerging economies, in a way that will enable their firmsto participate in global supply chains.Current schemes have several shortcomings including different timespans and coverage; exclusion of key products; inflexible rules of origin;and eligibility criteria that hampers regional integration. Whilethe duty-free quota-free market access scheme for LDCs agreed atthe WTO Hong Kong meeting in 2005 have catalysed the expansion ofexisting schemes or establishment of new ones, it is not enough. Creatinga common preference scheme that overcomes the constraintsI just listed would offer better support to LDCs trade development.Integrating Africa123