Trade policy can have profound impacts on the allocation of economic activity across sectors, as well as welfare implications at the national level. Governments, policy analysts, and stakeholders all need detailed information on the ways in which proposed changes—such as joining or leaving a trade agreement—can impact national economies.

Developing Trade Consultants and its Principal, Dr. Ben Shepherd, use cutting edge econometric models to assess the economic implications of trade policies. Although these models are necessarily complex, we are adept at explaining their operation and outputs in a way that is accessible to a wide range of readers. Assessment of the trade and welfare effects of trade agreements, as well as their implications for value chain development, is a particular area of specialization.

We offer a full range of modeling services, emphasizing transparency, rigor, and policy interpretation. We are experienced in the use of gravity modeling to analyze complex trade policy problems. In addition, we have an in-house general equilibrium model that takes advantage of cutting edge research from academic economists. A key difference between our approach and that of most other modelers is that we use publicly available data wherever possible, and are willing to hand over full model code and documentation to clients upon completion, thereby favoring the development of in-country capacity. We also have the capacity to model changes in value chain participation following changes in trade policy, which gives an important additional element of policy relevance to our approach.