ITC World Export Development Forum 2008

"Consumer Conscience: How Environment and Ethics Are Influencing Exports". As consumers everywhere are becoming more aware and more involved in environmental, ethical and social stewardship, they are demanding more responsible behaviour from producers and businesses. The voice of the consumer is triggering a gravitational shift in influence. Enterprises and economies must be prepared to keep pace. On the one hand, this consumer conscience in rich countries is opening up important trade opportunities for developing countries. There has, for example, been a huge increase in demand for organic products whilst the call for sustainable producer livelihoods, prohibition of forced or child labour, fair wages for workers, fair trade, and the promotion of biodiversity grows stronger. For most developing countries, however, the challenges are enormous. As they struggle to integrate in the global economy, poor countries now have to contend with new demands that they are ill prepared to meet.