DFID was set up in 1997 as a separate ministry with a strong legislative mandate and with the overall purpose of promoting sustainable development and eliminating world poverty. The main piece of legislation governing DFID’s work is the International Development Act, which came into force on 17 June 2002, replacing the Overseas Development and Cooperation Act (1980). DFID is headed by the Secretary of State for International Development and is responsible for formulating UK development cooperation policy as well as for the delivery of aid and technical expertise.

The BSI is the UK’s National Standards Body (NSB) and acts as a representative of the UK Government in European and international standards forums. It works with manufacturing and service industries, businesses, governments and consumers to help develop British, European and international standards. BSI is the official WTO national enquiry point for technical barriers to trade.

CDC is the UK’s development finance institution. It invests in private equity funds focused on the emerging markets of Asia, Africa and Latin America, with particular emphasis on South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Its investments are aimed at the private sector. CDC Group is a limited company.

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BIS’s mission is to build a dynamic and competitive UK economy by creating the conditions for business success, promoting innovation, enterprise and science, and giving everyone the skills and opportunities to succeed. It is responsible for the formulation of policy critical to the growth of the British economy. Its responsibilities range from higher education, skills and science to innovation, enterprise and business. It also acts as one of the UK WTO national enquiry points for technical barriers to trade.

Export Control Organization (ECO): The ECO is responsible for legislating, assessing and issuing export licenses for “controlled” goods. These goods include but are not limited to items for military use, items which can be used for civil or military purposes, items that may be used for torture, and designated radioactive sources. The ECO is also responsible for updating and informing the public and companies on export law.

Foreign Office (FCO): From 2010 onwards, the FCO has made supporting UK business abroad and attracting investment to the UK a core activity, creating a new Commercial and Economic Diplomacy Department to help deliver this work. One of its objectives is to increase trade and investment, open markets, ensure access to resources, and promote sustainable global growth.

The IPO is part of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and is responsible for providing protection for creations or inventions in the form of patents, trademarks, copy- right, designs and other protection.

National Measurement Office (NMO): The NMO is the Executive Agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills responsible for establishing the legal framework necessary to ensure an accurate and consistent system of measurement throughout the UK. Within the NMO, the National Measurement System (NMS) is a new directorate tasked with promoting good measurement practices by helping maintain the UK’s national infrastructure of measurement laboratories. The NMS works to develop ever more accurate stands of measurement for use in trade, industry, academia and government in order to increase productivity through process and quality control.

TPU, created in 2007, brings together the trade and development section of DFID and BIS. TPU formalized the UK policy of placing development at the center of UK policy-making on trade. It was created to ensure that trade deals reached by the UK work towards fulfilling the dual goals of global poverty reduction and increased UK competitiveness and market access. The TPU brings together some 70 trade and development experts from DFID and BIS to secure trade agreements that are beneficial to both the UK and poorer countries

UKTI is a government agency designed to assist exporters and companies in developing trade potential and gaining access to international markets. It offers free capability assessments, support in visiting potential markets, mentoring and action plans as well as grants to help small and medium companies attend trade shows overseas. It works closely with the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) to help UK companies compete in the global market and overseas companies gain access to UK markets.

UKAS is responsible for assessing organizations that pro- vide certification, testing, inspection, and calibration services. It provides accreditation to those organizations which meet internationally agreed standards and demonstrate competence and impartiality.

ODI is an independent think tank on international development and humanitarian issues. Its mission is to inspire and inform policy and practice leading to the reduction of poverty, the alleviation of suffering and the achievement of sustainable livelihoods in developing countries. Its research programme includes AfT. ODI runs a Fellowship Scheme which has, since 1963, been sending young postgraduate economists to work in the public sectors of developing countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific on two-year contracts. The costs of the scheme are shared between the recipient government and ODI, with ODI financing the scheme primarily through grants provided by the Department for International Development (DFID) in the UK and AusAID.

Oxfam is a leading British charity dedicated to working towards a world without poverty. It works on a number of issues including a strong commitment to lifting people out of poverty through helping developing countries to trade. Oxfam was one of the pioneers of the Fairtrade movement 40 years ago and has continued to champion the cause ever since, co-founding the Fairtrade Foundation in 1992. It also works closely with the private sector in its market and business development work.

Traidcraft fights poverty through trade, helping people in developing countries to change their lives. It runs development programmes all over the world and campaigns in the UK and internationally for trade justice.

VSO works with volunteers to fight poverty in developing countries. VSO’s approach involves bringing people together to share skills, build capabilities, and promote international understanding and action.