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This Padlet will review the impact of the pandemic COVID-19 in the Commonwealth nations. And how they reacted to the same. After the Padlet will the prospects of the trade recovery within the Commonwealth countries. And lastly will identify and evaluate the sources of future growth and the Commonwealth advantage.

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Reference list:
HMTreasury. 2018. [online] Available at: <https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/731349/20180730_HMT_Discussion_Paper_-_The_Economic_Value_of_Data.pdf> [Accessed 7 January 2022].

Kampel, K., 2020. [online] Thecommonwealth.org. Available at: <https://thecommonwealth.org/sites/default/files/inline/THT%20163%20FINAL.pdf> [Accessed 7 January 2022]

Norjidi, D., 2021. Paths to recovery for Commonwealth trade » Borneo Bulletin Online. [online] Paths to recovery for Commonwealth trade. Available at: <https://borneobulletin.com.bn/paths-to-recovery-for-commonwealth-trade/> [Accessed 7 January 2022].

TheCommonwealth. 2021. Seminar 1 summary: The impact of COVID-19 on unemployment and inequality. [online] Available at: <https://thecommonwealth.org/seminar-1-summary-impact-covid-19-unemployment-and-inequality> [Accessed 7 January 2022].

Thecommonwealth. 2020. COVID-19 – The Commonwealth Education Hub. [online] Available at: <https://edu.thecommonwealth.org/?cat=116> [Accessed 7 January 2022].

The Commonwealth. 2021. The Implications of COVID-19 for Community Sport and Physical Activity. [online] Available at: <https://thecommonwealth.org/implications-covid-19-community-sport-and-physical-activity> [Accessed 7 January 2022].

Thecommonwealth. 2021. [online] Available at: <https://www.thecommonwealth-ilibrary.org/index.php/comsec/catalog/download/327/324/2918?inline=1> [Accessed 7 January 2022].

Thecommonwealth. 2020. [online] Available at: <https://thecommonwealth.org/sites/default/files/inline/ITWP_2020-14.pdf> [Accessed 7 January 2022].

Thecommonwealth. 2020. [online] Available at: <https://thecommonwealth.org/sites/default/files/inline/CW%20FAO%20Report%20on%20Food%20Trade.pdf> [Accessed 7 January 2022].

Van der Elst, K., 2015. Where will future economic growth come from?. [online] World Economic Forum. Available at: <https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2015/01/where-will-future-economic-growth-come-from/> [Accessed 7 January 2022].

Wignaraja, G., Vickers, B. and Ali, S., 2021. Harnessing Maritime Trade for Post-COVID Recovery and Resilience-Building in the Commonwealth. [online] Thecommonwealth-ilibrary.org. Available at: <https://www.thecommonwealth-ilibrary.org/index.php/comsec/catalog/book/730> [Accessed 7 January 2022].

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The Flow of Data is another important source of future growth. Having access to the right data before competitors can prove to be an advantage. The countries in the Commonwealth can use their unique relations to easier share and access data from each other and therefore grow at a faster pace than most of the ones out of Commonwealth.

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The Flow of Data is another important source of future growth. Having access to the right data before competitors can prove to be an advantage. The countries in the Commonwealth can use their unique relations to easier share and access data from each other and therefore grow at a faster pace than most of the ones out of Commonwealth.

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With pandemic the need for changes of sources of growth has become evident and digital trade is one of the more visible. The importance of Commonwealth could be determinant to abolish barriers and can move together supply and supplied breaking unnecessary trade barriers. 

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With pandemic the need for changes of sources of growth has become evident and digital trade is one of the more visible. The importance of Commonwealth could be determinant to abolish barriers and can move together supply and supplied breaking unnecessary trade barriers. 

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Where will future economic growth come from?

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The World Economic Forum is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. Incorporated as a not-for-profit foundation in 1971, and headquar…

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The pandemic was responsible for the downsize of maritime exportation and with it the Commonwealth countries lost the profit that would do with the use of their maritime ports. however there are evidences of maritime rapid adjustment and increase. This will help the trade and the countries with Maritime influence over their gains.

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The pandemic was responsible for the downsize of maritime exportation and with it the Commonwealth countries lost the profit that would do with the use of their maritime ports. however there are evidences of maritime rapid adjustment and increase. This will help the trade and the countries with Maritime influence over their gains.

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Synopsis

This paper maps patterns of maritime trade in the Commonwealth with a view to exploring the effects of the pandemic and policy implications for post-COVID recovery and resilience-building in Commonwealth countries. The main findings are as follows. First, a significant presence in global coastlines, seaports and container traffic means that maritime trade is fundamental to Commonwealth countries' global and intra-Commonwealth trade. Second, the sudden onset of the pandemic led directly to a moderate decline in shipping and maritime trade as well as indirect falls in maritime support services. Third, the maritime industry and trade patterns have been rapidly adjusting to a new operating environment with some signs of recovery. Shifts in the demand and supply of goods following the pandemic injected a new momentum in shipping, raised container freight rates to historically high levels and created challenges for trade recovery in several developing countries. However, the outlook for the shipping sector has also been altered by pre-pandemic headwinds such as rising protectionism and increasing debate regarding nearshoring and the reconfiguration of supply chains. The paper concludes by suggesting that success in the new operating environment requires Commonwealth countries to build resilience by improving the quality of seaport infrastructure, logistics and transport networks, enhancing trade openness and trade facilitation, addressing maritime security threats and increasing the environmental sustainability of shipping operations.

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Harnessing Maritime Trade for Post-COVID Recovery and Resilience-Building in the Commonwealth

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This paper maps patterns of maritime trade in the Commonwealth with a view to exploring the effects of the pandemic and policy implications for post-COVID recovery and resilience-building in Commonwealth countries. The main findings are as follows. First, a significant presence in global coastlines, seaports and container traffic means that maritime trade is fundamental to Commonwealth countries' global and intra-Commonwealth trade.

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The fact of the recent Brexit and that the world is living an pandemic can prove important for the countries on the Commonwealth. On one side there is England that needs new trade partners and on the other there are the Commonwealth countries that can take profit of their proximity to England and manage to get trade deals. The shortage of products can dictate a faster connection between all parts involved.

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The fact of the recent Brexit and that the world is living an pandemic can prove important for the countries on the Commonwealth. On one side there is England that needs new trade partners and on the other there are the Commonwealth countries that can take profit of their proximity to England and manage to get trade deals. The shortage of products can dictate a faster connection between all parts involved.

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The Commonwealth countries can use their close relationship to faster recover from the pandemic upset. The use of this connections can make them recover at a faster pace than other countries. Creating a better sustainable future for the nations involved.                                                                                          

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The Commonwealth countries can use their close relationship to faster recover from the pandemic upset. The use of this connections can make them recover at a faster pace than other countries. Creating a better sustainable future for the nations involved.                                                                                          

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Paths to recovery for Commonwealth trade

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Danial Norjidi

A new report from the Commonwealth Secretariat has found that Commonwealth countries are estimated to have lost up to USD345 billion worth of trade in 2020, including USD60 billion in intra-Commonwealth trade.

Released on July 13, the 2021 Commonwealth Trade Review on Energising Commonwealth Trade in a Digital World: Paths to Recovery Post-COVID is described in a press statement as providing a timely and comprehensive analysis of the pandemic's impact on the trade and investment flows of Commonwealth countries.

The statement noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a heavy toll globally, substantially impacting all Commonwealth members' economies and leading to USD1.15 trillion in foregone gross domestic product (GDP) in just one year. It was shared that, compared to pre-pandemic growth trends in 2020, Commonwealth economies contracted by approximately 10 per cent.

In addition, most Commonwealth countries experienced a significant decline in overall foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in 2020, with a loss of USD153 billion to the Commonwealth.

"Given the linkages between trade and investment and the role of foreign direct investment in supporting cross-border trade, these disruptions could limit trade prospects for Commonwealth countries," said the statement.

The review finds that the economic fallout from COVID-19 varied across Commonwealth regions and shows that the drop is higher for developing Commonwealth countries, where exports have contracted by approximately 10.1 per cent.

"In absolute terms, Asian economies suffered the largest decline in exports (at USD146 billion), followed by African (USD20 billion), Caribbean (USD4.2 billion) and Pacific members (USD1.3 billion). However, relatively Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) underwent a greater slump. Their global exports shrank by almost 20 per cent. These SIDS largely rely on the exports of services, particularly travel and tourism, which were hit hard in this pandemic.

"For FDI the drop affected all developed and developing countries but to a varying degree, with Australia and Rwanda notably experiencing a 50 per cent decline in inflows compared with the pre-pandemic (2017-2019) average."

According to the statement, only eight Commonwealth developing countries recorded higher overall FDI inflows in 2020 compared with this previous average.

Speaking ahead of the report's launch, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC said, "Our Commonwealth members can harness the 'Commonwealth advantage' to provide a post-pandemic tailwind that supports recovery, especially in small states, who have been particularly hard-hit.

"We know that trade can offer positive solutions to manage the pandemic and it's an essential tool for building back better," she highlighted. "Commonwealth members can draw on the mutual support and benefits offered through initiatives such as the Commonwealth's Connectivity Agenda, Blue Charter, Sustainable Energy Transition Agenda and our other work that helps boost trade recovery in a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable way."

The statement added that a reassuring finding from the Trade Review is that the Commonwealth trade advantage has remained strong and resilient, and is now estimated at 21 per cent, on average. On the investment side, this advantage has almost tripled since the 2015, to around 27 per cent.

The review also touched on pathways to post-COVID trade recovery and resilience building, stating that each Commonwealth member country has its own unique pathway and policy options for trade recovery, although access to vaccines plays an indispensable part for them.

"The broader outlook for Commonwealth countries' trade recovery is inextricably linked to global economic prospects as well as the structure of their economy, the composition of their exports and their inherent characteristics and vulnerabilities, especially for LDCs (least developed countries) and small states," the review said. "Trade recovery must be framed overall by the importance of ensuring inclusive trade for women and youth and especially promoting women's economic empowerment."

It noted that, since a rules-based global trading system offers the best framework to enable trade recovery, World Trade Organization (WTO) members should work collectively to strengthen and reform trade multilateralism.

"In the short term, consideration could be given to avoiding protectionism and improving vaccine production and distribution, strengthening the enabling environment for e-commerce, addressing fisheries subsidies and improving food security. As part of a broader reform agenda, it is paramount to find a solution to the dispute settlement impasse and to identify practical ways for trade multilateralism to support greater environmental sustainability, especially in light of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and global commitments to addressing the climate crisis."

Also among the points put forward in the review is that the global tourism and travel sector has been the hardest hit by COVID-19, and that the Commonwealth's tourism-dependent small states have been severely affected.

"Many Commonwealth members have implemented response and recovery plans for the tourism sector based on industry body guidelines, with two broad categories of measures discernible: first, short-term, immediate crisis management responses that include stimulus and relief packages; and second, measures that focus on medium- to long-term recovery, especially to make the industry more resilient."

The study highlighted that embracing digital and technological options will be a crucial component of a future tourism recovery strategy.

"Commonwealth countries can leverage digital technologies to support recovery, depending on their levels of ICT adoption and digital connectivity," it said. "In the short to medium term, digital trade, especially e-commerce and delivering certain services online, can provide a pathway for mitigating several economic losses from COVID-19 and support the opening and resumption of many activities, although some online activity may decline with the roll-out of vaccines and treatments."

"In the longer term, growing digital trade, investing in digital capabilities, upskilling and training the workforce, and harnessing some of the frontier technologies linked to Industry 4.0 can help transform economies, build resilience to future shocks and better integrate sustainability into supply chains."

The review noted that digital trade, however, requires developing an appropriate and enabling regulatory system, including policies and regulations governing areas like data protection and privacy, data processing, cyber-security, e-transactions and digital signatures, and consumer protection.

While Commonwealth developed countries have implemented most of these, it was shared that many developing countries still lag in terms of legislative or regulatory progress in this area. "Nonetheless, many Commonwealth countries are engaged in efforts to develop, co-operate, co-ordinate or harmonise rules and standards for digital trade through bilateral or regional trade deals and initiatives at the WTO."

"The policy landscape for digital services, especially across borders, is rapidly evolving, with implications for negotiating commitments on trade in services under the WTO and other trade agreements."

The report also highlighted a compelling case for directing more donor support to enhance developing countries' participation in digital trade.

"A dedicated - and additionally funded - Aid for Digital Trade agenda provides an opportunity to mainstream support for enhanced digital connectivity and adoption into Aid for Trade (AfT) as part of a comprehensive approach to inclusive digital transformation. This could initially focus on supporting infrastructure, digital skills, e-government and financial inclusion in developing countries and LDCs.

"Commonwealth countries should also strive to digitise trade facilitation by adopting paperless trade solutions and consider making permanent any temporary digital trade facilitating measures introduced during the pandemic.

"The post-COVID recovery is an opportunity for Commonwealth countries to make progress with many of the SDGs, but especially SDG 12 - namely, ensuring sustainable consumption and production - including through trade policy and trade agreements and promoting circular economy principles. The adoption of digital technologies can support this transition to sustainable growth and development, the creation of green jobs and strengthened regional and local supply chains."

The review added that, taken together, these inter-related measures provide a set of pathways towards recovery in Commonwealth trade.

"As the world begins to tide over the COVID-19 pandemic, Commonwealth countries can look to use their global and intra-Commonwealth trade as essential tools for building back better and promoting a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable future."

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Paths to recovery for Commonwealth trade " Borneo Bulletin Online

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Danial Norjidi A new report from the Commonwealth Secretariat has found that Commonwealth countries are estimated to have lost up to USD345 billion worth of trade in 2020, including USD60 billion in intra-Commonwealth trade. Released on July 13, the 2021 Commonwealth Trade Review on Energising Commonwealth Trade in a Digital World: Paths to Recovery Post-COVID [...]

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COVID-19 was responsible for the downsize of tourism in the Commonwealth. There were countries that lived on their majority of tourism revenue that had great suffers. However not only the big companies got impacted the little markets that depended on the tourists got a tool and were severe impacted by the pandemic traveling restrictions. 

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COVID-19 was responsible for the downsize of tourism in the Commonwealth. There were countries that lived on their majority of tourism revenue that had great suffers. However not only the big companies got impacted the little markets that depended on the tourists got a tool and were severe impacted by the pandemic traveling restrictions. 

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COVID-19 made unemployment rise and created an growth in inequality in many Commonwealth countries. The imposed lock downs and difficulty to move goods and people created a hard situation for the countries economies 

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COVID-19 made unemployment rise and created an growth in inequality in many Commonwealth countries. The imposed lock downs and difficulty to move goods and people created a hard situation for the countries economies 

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The Commonwealth Virtual Seminar Series, ' The Economics of COVID-19 ' kicked off last week, examining unemployment and income inequality.

The objectives of the panel were to:

Assess the policies and approaches for COVID-19 responses

Identify potential areas of collaboration and coordination in response to COVID-19

Draw lessons to adopt and mistakes to avoid in tackling the economic crisis COVID-19 country awareness of programs and measures to help prepare for a new context post Covid-19

With panellists from Kenya, Maldives, Zambia and the Commonwealth Secretariat, the 90-minute conversation saw many interesting perspectives regarding unemployment and income inequality in a post-COVID19 environment.

Reductions in trade

As countries face enduring lockdowns across the globe, unemployment is rising each day as quality of life decreases for many. Aside from this, loss of livelihood is a loss of access to goods, as many nations have experienced reduced availability of products due to stricter border controls and trading mechanisms.

Many across the developing world are employed via the informal sector in marketplaces that are now closed due to social distancing efforts and lockdowns. Hence more needs to be done to not only boost employment but to restock the marketplace domestically.

Investing locally

To remedy this, the panel spoke about the need for governments to invest in local production of goods via innovation and industrialization.

This increase in domestic production has the potential to not only to support and formalize the work done by many in the informal sector but also bides against future shortages given that the supply of goods would be domestic, thereby lessening the chance of supply side disruptions.

Looking out for the most vulnerable

With growing unemployment, more and more people are being pushed into poverty, reversing the global progress on ending poverty back to pre-1998 levels. With a totalizing effect on society, governments must make a real effort to look after the most vulnerable.

The panel pointed to the need for development of tailor-made fiscal policies specifically intended to help certain subsets of the population, such as youth and women. These relief efforts present an opportunity for countries to address the underlying issues in society such as gender pay inequality, and youth underemployment.

As vulnerable subsets of the population are dealing with unique obstacles in attaining economic agency, the policies to remedy them must be equally unique to create true change.

Building back better

Lastly, in the fight against COVID-19 the panel spoke about the need for coordination and collaboration amongst countries. In this new world order, unprecedented action needs to be taken in ensuring no country is left to languish in their fight against the virus.

By learning from one another, countries can combine resources and knowledge to not only keep their citizens safe but also to tackle enduring Sustainable Development Goals.

Ultimately countries should mold their relief strategies in the pursuit of building back better, stronger and together.

Download the summary of seminar 1: The impact of COVID-19 on unemployment and inequality (PDF)

For more information

Join the conversation in the next webinar on Wednesday 20 May to discuss ' Population Effects and the Role of Technology Post-COVID-19 '.

Register for the seminars

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Seminar 1 summary: The impact of COVID-19 on unemployment and inequality

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The Commonwealth Virtual Seminar Series, ' The Economics of COVID-19 ' kicked off last week, examining unemployment and income inequality.

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The pandemic proved that systems are not ready to be disrupted. School systems are no different from all others. The pandemic showed there were inequalities in access to remote education and furthermore left thousands of children without access to a hot meal.

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The pandemic proved that systems are not ready to be disrupted. School systems are no different from all others. The pandemic showed there were inequalities in access to remote education and furthermore left thousands of children without access to a hot meal.

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Role of education in responding to COVID-19 and other threats Education systems should be part of the response to prevent, limit or slow the spread of the virus and curtail its impact. Compared to the education system, the public health system has a smaller presence. The education system has a large institutional base that

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Role of education in responding to COVID-19 and other threats Education systems should be part of the response to prevent, limit or slow the spread of the virus and curtail its impact. Compared to the education system, the public health system has a smaller presence.

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The pandemic had great influence in the community Sport and Physical activities investments. COVID-19 was responsible for limited investments, the surface of vulnerable business models and inconsistency in policy for development. 

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The pandemic had great influence in the community Sport and Physical activities investments. COVID-19 was responsible for limited investments, the surface of vulnerable business models and inconsistency in policy for development. 

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The restrictions introduced to curb the spread of the pandemic has resulted in a shutdown of community sport and physical activity. This loss has magnified to many undervalued and positive impacts of community sport and physical activity on health and wellbeing.

Existing challenges

COVID-19 has laid bare existing challenges which hampered the sector's response to the pandemic. These include limited:

investment

vulnerable business models

inconsistency in policy development

The pandemic has also highlighted the importance of creating effective and robust policies to support the sector, and of modifying delivery to suit the current challenges.

Commonwealth Moves collaboration

In response, the Commonwealth has worked with a cross-section of partners to develop a package of resources which were cleverly designed to respond to the current COVID-19 reality and create a sector and populations which are resilient enough to deal with future pandemics.

The package aims to provide ideas to support countries in creating and modifying policies and modes of delivery in sport and physical activity programmes, that comply with guidance on social distancing, hygiene and safety protocols.

Each of our collaborating organisations has developed on-line, COVID-19-adapted resources, backed by robust analysis and research.

Research and policy recommendations

The work of these partners has informed a wider research initiative investigating how delivery models and policies can be modified across the Commonwealth to facilitate the 'new normal' post-COVID.
Impacts of Covid-19 on community sport and Sport for Development discussion paper (PDF, 1.4 MB) Policy Analysis Tool for Community Sport and Sport for Development in Response to COVID-19 (PDF, 2 MB)
The Commonwealth Secretariat presents the resources above for informational purposes only and access to this information is subject to our Terms and Conditions. You are, at all times, responsible for adhering to World Health Organisation (WHO) and Government advice regarding COVID-19.

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The Implications of COVID-19 for Community Sport and Physical Activity

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The restrictions introduced to curb the spread of the pandemic has resulted in a shutdown of community sport and physical activity. This loss has magnified to many undervalued and positive impacts of community sport and physical activity on health and wellbeing. Existing challenges COVID-19 has laid bare existing challenges which hampered the sector's response to the pandemic.

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External shock, COVID-19 exposes fragility in the Commonwealth countries. As economies show that they were not ready to deal with the pandemic decrease on sales and increase on prices.

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External shock, COVID-19 exposes fragility in the Commonwealth countries. As economies show that they were not ready to deal with the pandemic decrease on sales and increase on prices.

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The pandemic had a devastating impact in the Food trade on Commonwealth. Both in the sector and the people. The lack of trade made it impossible for bosses to employ workers and the restriction of movements made other bosses not able to get employees.

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The pandemic had a devastating impact in the Food trade on Commonwealth. Both in the sector and the people. The lack of trade made it impossible for bosses to employ workers and the restriction of movements made other bosses not able to get employees.