The majority of developing countries have significantly improved their environment for trade and economic growth, following over two decades of assistance from the Bank for trade reform. Tariff and non-tariff barriers that created distortions in incentives have been reduced, and import constraints largely eliminated. Trade-related projects have been helpful in this regard.

Yet, these trade initiatives were less successful in generating a dynamic and sustained export growth path, especially in Africa. Because of lack of diversity in their exports, some of these reforming contries have not successfully integrated into the global economy and have actually lost market share.

Complementary measures such as competition policy, reducing labor market rigidities and improving the regulatory environment did not always accompany trade reforms recommended by the World Bank. If developing countries are to reap larger gains from trade liberalization, the reforms need to be combined better with investments and institution building and measures to mitigate adverse affects.

The Bank has also often promoted specific trade policies in countries without adequately assessing the potential impact they might have on affected communities. The IEG evaluation found little evidence that more recent trade-related operations are doing much better in identifying potential winners and losers of trade policies and recommending specific policies to facilitate adjustment.